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Tafadzwa Zimoyo Arts Correspondent
You cannot win if you organise awards in Zimbabwe, that is unless you make everyone a winner, which sort of defeats the whole purpose of having awards.
To no one’s surprise the Zimbabwe Hip-Hop Awards have been struck by the usual flying wedge of criticism from those who missed the cut and were not nominated by their friends and relatives.
As usual the losers complain that some of the names on the nominees’ list released last week were hand-picked by the organisers, despite these same organisers using judges to decide who should be finalists and who will miss out. A war of words has erupted on social media between organisers and would-be nominees with some saying the awards lacked transparency while others called the awards bogus.
“We have qualified and professional judges who took their time to come up with the nominees. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. People should accept what came out and I encourage everyone to come for the show. We can’t all win,” one of the co-ordinators, Harpers Mapimidze, said.
Only last week, the organisers apologised for putting up the wrong names in the newcomer category.
“We apologise for the typo on the best new comer category. It is supposed to be Marcques, Alvina, Sinbad, Bris Mbada and Crooger,” a statement on the awards Facebook page read.
“I think this year they failed to put their wrongs right. Imagine, people are already questioning the credibility before the event is held,” Taurai Murombedzi from Avondale posted.
One of the country’s top music producers, Russell “Russo” Chiradza, also slammed the organisers saying the nominees were biased.
“Nhai anonzi ‘Xndr’ ndiani, asi mfana anonzi Yoz ‘Wenyu’ haakwane futi kuhip-hop ‘henyu’ . . . Maybe ndini ndisingazive music ndibatsirewo because I thought he has got the biggest songs (sic) . . . ,” posted Russo.
Another upcoming hip-hop artiste, Shingirai Maunganidze, popularly known as Schingy in music said although he had been left out he still supported the awards.
“I am very sorry my fans for not being nominated. It is their choice but remember the sky is the limit. Can you please stop rebuking the Zim-Hip-Hop organisers . . . It is a phase. Let’s go and support the show,” he said.
One disgruntled fans said the awards were not free and fair.
“How can you say Stunner sings hip-hop? You should be ashamed of yourself. Now Chiwoniso is being honoured, was she a hip-hop artiste? I think they are missing the point hey,” said one local singer.
Below is the full list of this year’s nominations and categories:
Best Male
Stunner, Junior Brown, Tehn Diamond, P.O.Y , Simba Tagz
Best Female
Trae Yung, Alvina, DJ Naida
Best Newcomer
Marcques, Alvina, Sinbad, Bris Mbada, Crooger
Best Collaboration
Happy, Zvidhori Remix, KaLife,
Chibhodhoro, My Own Doe
Best Promoter
Magamba, P.O.Y, Da Grape Vine, Jibilika, Kritic Igwe
Best Song of the Year
MaDrinks, Happy, Chibhodhoro,
Zunguza, Zvidhori
Best Album
The Feeling Ain’t Fair, Road 2 Fame, The Maps, Victrae, Black
People’s Choice
Junior Brown, Stunner, Maskiri, Mudiwa, Tehn Diamond
Best Dance Crew
AntiVirus, Explosion, Magnetic Force, Royal Bboy, Hood Crankers
Best Radio DJ
Davis Mugadza
Lifetime Achievement
Chiwoniso Maraire
Best Freestyle
Still Yet To Be Decided By Cyphers
Best Video of the Year
10/10, Happy, Chibhodhoro, Wapamtima, NaMwari
Best High School Act
T-Diddz, Trex, Boneman, Teri Joc, Ovadose Boys, S.O.D, Swagg Bakers
Best Gospel Act
Mudiwa, ILL Ceey, Prophecy, Christhood, Nowizz
Best Producer
Young Nash, Take Fizzo, P2DaOh, Simba Tagz, Yagi Dojo
Best Hip-Hop Group
K.L.A.P, MMT, few Kings, Kasi Lunatics, Monkey Nuts
Best Album Art
The Feeling Ain’t Fair, Road 2 Fame, The Maps, Victrae, Black
Best Diaspora
Rhyme Assassin, Kapital K, Rhyme Beats, Kalprit, Foretold Mapondera
Best Solo Dancer
Adrian Zenasi, Anton Banana, George Shingi, Dexter Sibanda, Yeukai Zinyoro
Best Positive Social Contribution
Jibilika
Best Corporate Brand Supporting Local Hip-Hop
Arizona Spur Bulawayo
Best Club DJ
Ray Dizz, P Styles, Joe Mentro, Mark Vusani, Selekta Base
Best Online Media
African Hip-Hop Blog, Bars 263, Havoknation Entertainment, Sindiso Dube: Southern Eye & Newsday, Hip-Hop Unleashed
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