Buffalo Souljah pleads for Presidential nod

Melissa Mpofu in South Africa Showbiz Editor
For putting Zimbabwe on Africa’s music map over the past 10 years, South Africa-based dancehall musician, Buffalo Souljah, is pleading with President Mugabe to acknowledge his efforts.

The Izandla Phezulu hit-maker, who added a sixth Channel O Music Video Award (Choamva) to his name on Saturday evening, said he hoped to be recognised by the President.

“All I ask for is a bit of acknowledgement for putting my country on the map. I’ve been waving our country’s flag high among other African countries for the past 10 years now.

“I feel I deserve to be acknowledged as I’ve been the only Zimbabwean who has been nominated 12 times for Channel O awards and won six times,” said Buffalo Souljah.

The reggae/dancehall artiste scooped a sixth Channel O award for the Most Gifted Ragga Dancehall category for his Basawine music video, beating Nigerians, Orezi, Jesse Jagz, Patoranking and Ghanaian Shatta Wale.

The awards presentation at Nasrec Expo Centre Soweto in South Africa was emotional for Buffalo as he was visibly proud of himself for having put Zimbabwe on the map, especially considering that he recently retired from the music game.

During his award acceptance speech, Buffalo declared that he was the undisputed African king of dancehall saying there was nothing as fulfilling as representing his country at such a prestigious event.

Asked if he was not considering re-joining the music industry, Buffalo said: “I’m still retired for now,” showing he had not fully made up his mind.

The artiste popularly known as Bigg Buffs said though he had continuously ensured Zimbabwe was represented at the awards, it was sad that fellow artistes were not receiving airplay on Channel O.

“It’s high time we fight to claim our spot on the African map. The time is now and we’ve to act on this as Zimbabweans for we’re a talented lot.

“Artistes back home shouldn’t lose hope and keep working hard. One day, they’ll be rewarded for all their hard work,” he said.

Unlike other artistes, Bigg Buffs has been very consistent with his music, often producing quality music videos which have always received a lot of airplay from international music stations, especially Channel O.

But the Channel O awards ceremony showed a lot of artistes had never been recognised for their efforts. South Africa’s pioneering kwaito music group – Boom Shaka were for the first time awarded with a Channel O Special Recognition award for their immense contribution to the music industry.

The Thobela hit-makers dedicated their award to their late group member – Lebo Mathosa who they said would have been proud to know that they had finally been recognised. Nigerian singer, Tiwa Savage was awarded Most Gifted Female artiste for her Eminado video and was equally thrilled to have finally won.

“I’ve been nominated several times and am glad to have finally won. Had I not won today, I was going to break down as it hurts,” she said.

The awards night, however, belonged to South Africa’s Cassper Nyovest and Tanzania’s Diamond who scooped most awards. Nyovest’s club banger, Doc Shebeleza earned him wins in Most Gifted Male, Most Gifted Southern and Jameson Most Gifted Video of the Year categories. Newcomer, Diamond also proved he was a force to reckon with as he took home awards for the Most Gifted Newcomer, Most Gifted Afro Pop as well as Most Gifted East.

Kalawa Jazzmee’s Busiswa also did her stable proud as she scooped the Most Gifted Dance award. She thanked her mentor, Oskido, for having believed in her and making her shine.

Nigeria’s Davido, who was nominated in five categories and had been tipped to scoop numerous awards for tracks Aye and Skelewu, went home empty handed.

. . . and the winners were

Most Gifted Male: Cassper Nyovest – Doc Shebeleza

Most Gifted Female: Tiwa Savage ft Don Jazzy – Eminado

Most Gifted Newcomer: Diamond – Number One

Most Gifted Duo, Group or Featuring: Kcee ft Wizkid – Pull over

Most Gifted Dance: Busiswa ft Various artistes – Ngoku

Most Gifted Ragga Dancehall: Buffalo Souljah – Basawine

Most Gifted Afro Pop: Diamond – Number One

Most Gifted Kwaito: Uhuru ft Oskido & Professor – Y-Tjukutja

Most Gifted R&B: Donald – Crazy but amazing

Most Gifted Hip Hop: AKA – Congratulate

Most Gifted Southern: Cassper Nyovest – Doc Shebeleza