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Entertainment Reporter—
He scooped four awards at National Arts Merit Awards last Saturday and could have easily made them five if the Outstanding Video category was not dedicated to producers.
In fact, he got recognition in five categories but the fifth trophy went to producer of his video “Mwanasikana” Willard “Slimaz” Magombedze.
The Nama night belonged to Jah Prayzah and the February 20 night would be a night of celebration for his success. It would be a night for his friends and fellow musicians.
Suluman Chimbetu and Guspy Warrior competed with Jah Prayzah in some categories at the awards but they did not get anything because Jah Prayzah took a broom to Bulawayo and did a thorough cleaning job in all categories that had his name.
Still, the losing nominees know that reaching the finals in the Nama game is worth celebrating – Sulu and Guspy Warrior will celebrate with Jah Prayzah at a show at Private Lounge on Thursday.
The show was dubbed “Nama nominees party” when organisers signed the artistes for the celebratory event before they knew who would get what on the decisive night at Rainbow Hotel in Bulawayo.
Sulu knows how it feels to win many awards at Nama after he bagged three accolades last year. He had hoped of taking another award this year, but Jah Prayzah was literally all over the music categories. Guspy Warrior was probably yearning for a debut Nama score but reaching the finals was to be the ceiling of his tale at the awards so far.
Since Thursday’s party was already prescribed for celebration of nominations, all the artistes will put their nomination certificates on the wall and prove to music fans why they were chosen ahead of many other musicians that submitted their albums for consideration for the awards.
Jah Prayzah will obviously be on top of the world. Ironically, organiser of the celebratory show Biggie Chinoperekwei would also be celebrating his award after he was voted promoter of the year at Nama.
The Herald Entertainment spoke to Jah Prayzah and Chinoperekwei about their achievements and the celebratory event. Jah Prayzah said he has every reason to thank his fans for his achievement.
“The show is a special dedication to my fans. I have scooped these awards because of the support I get from multitudes of music lovers. If people were not playing my music or coming to my shows, I would never get the confidence to enter Nama race.
“I make music for my fans and I am happy that they have supported me for a good cause. On Thursday I am inviting the fans to come and celebrate these awards. The awards belong to my fans and I want to celebrate with them,” said Jah Prayzah.
Chinoperekwei had few words about his award.
“I am happy for the recognition. It means a lot to our work in promoting musicians and inspires us to work harder. We thank God and everyone who supports us in our mission to take local music to another level. We have also been trying to link local musicians with their foreign counterparts for the development of the industry. We hope fans and stakeholders in the industry will keep supporting us.”
Online Reporter