Jah Prayzaha��s SAMAs appearance uncertain

Bruce Ndlovu
After the criticism that came from his failure to attend the MTV Africa Music Awards last year, contemporary music star Jah Prayzah is looking to rectify that oversight by attending this yeara��s South Africa Music Awards (SAMAs) despite being booked for a festival appearance on the day of the ceremony.

Prayzah was nominated alongside elder statesman Oliver Mtukudzi in the Best Africa Artiste category where the two Zimbabwean giants will fight for the gong with Vee Mampeezy, Vuyo Katsha and Patoranking.

Rappers Nasty C and Kwesta emerged as the early favourites to walk away with the most gongs from South Africaa��s biggest award ceremony, getting six and five award nods respectively.

The awards ceremony will be held at the Sun City Bowl on 27 May. That very same night, Jah will be the headline act at the Bassline Africa Day Concert that will feature South Africaa��s Thandiswa Mazwai, Ray Phiri, Vusi Mahlasela and DRCa��s Baloji among other African stars.

Prayzaha��s manager Keen Mushapaidze said although his charge was booked on the day of the ceremony, they were confident that he would be able to make it to what he called a�?one of the biggest nights on the African showbiz scenea�?.

Last year Prayzah failed to make it to the MAMAs, where he received his maiden African gong and Zimbabwea��s first in a major continental music ceremony in a long time.

a�?The chances are very high that he will be able to attend the ceremony. The good thing about this particular festival is that ita��s happening in Johannesburg where the award ceremony is also held. Wea��re confident that his slot will not clash with the ceremony,a�? he said.

Mushapaidze said despite the prestige of the SAMA award ceremony, they could not cancel his appearance at the festival.

a�?Ita��s useful to remember that we have been crying for appearances at such big festivals for a long time. So suddenly cancelling his appearance there would be disappointing on many levels,a�? he said.

Despite the belief among some that Jah Prayzah had only started looking beyond the countrya��s borders last year, Mushapaidze said the recent continental recognition and accolades were the result of a long term vision.

a�?This was always the plan. He always wanted to be an international artiste and this last year has just been a culmination of all the years of planning,a�? he said.

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