Mthabisi Tshuma, Showbiz Correspondent
ADEPT Zimdancehall chanter Poptain has been recognised for his immense contribution of churning hit after hit last year as he is leading the 2021 Star FM listeners choice awards nominees with seven nods.
The Harare-based artiste managed to keep people countrywide and beyond borders in a joyful mood albeit the lockdown with hits that include Fadza Mutengi, Tetena Amount and Munhu Wenyama.
Poptain is closely followed by Nutty O with six nominations and Jah Master with four nominations.
The Matabeleland region is represented by among others, Germany-based rapper Awa Khiwe who is nominated in the Best Hip Hop and Best Female artiste category, Asaph in the Best Hip Hop category and Mzoe 7 in Best House category.
Announcing the nominees on Monday evening, Star FM station manager Steve Vickers said: “We are really pleased with this list of nominees. A hard year came up with a lot of good music and this is what we believe to be the best of what we played on Star FM last year.

“Thank you to the artistes, we respect your hustle. Now, it’s all down to the listeners to decide who the winners are.”
Below is a full list of nominees:
BEST PRODUCER
Rodney
Tamuka
Levels
Nigel Nyangombe
Leekay
BEST NEWCOMER
Herman – Zvandofarira
Fidel Country Boy – Tangai Bhawa
Everton Mlalazi – Uyingcwele
Anita Jackson – Unonzani
Shamiso – Turn it up
BEST SUNGURA ARTIST
Albert Gatsi
Somandhla Ndebele
Lucky Kumene
Mark Ngwazi
Tete Pipilo
BEST ZIMDANCEHALL SONG
Nutty O – Safe
Jah Master – Hello Mwari
Nutty O ft Poptain – Kokai
Poptain ft Allanah – Fadza Mutengi
Jah Master ft Anita – Unonzani
BEST HOUSE/AMAPIANO SONG
Mzoe 7 – Asambeni
Shasha – Sing It Back
Nox – My Melody
Lloyd Soul – Crowd
Rose Mambo – Lujulile
BEST HIP HOP SONG
Awa Khiwe – Ngeke Bengimele
Asaph – Like So
Takura – Ndini Ndinaye
Gze – Tsika Gas
Holy 10 – Ghetto Redu
BEST AFRICAN POP SONG
Herman – Zvandofarira
Fusion 5 – Mistake
King 98 – Kachiri
Ishan – Maidei
Gemma – Ndinewe
BEST SONG BY ZIMBABWEAN IN THE DIASPORA
Solyd the Plug – Bella Ciao
Nox – My Melody
Charlie Kay – Kumusha
Valee Music – Watora Moyo
Shasha – Sing it Back
BEST GOSPEL SONG
Everton Mlalazi – Uyingcwele
All for Christ – Mwari Wakanaka
Michael Mahendere – Ndinobuda Pakaoma
Janet Manyowa – Tariro
Mambo Dhuterere – Ndabvunza Emmanuel
BEST RnB SONG
Nyasha David – Mary-Anne
Brian Nhira – Unozondida
Melissa – Chengeta
Hilzy ft Shasha – Goodbye
Bryan K ft Tamy – Energy
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Jah Prayzah – Hokoyo
Freeman – Freeman and Friends
Janet Manyowa – Sounds of Victory
Minister Michael Mahendere – The Spow
Ishan – Bhundu Pop
BEST GROUP
Fusion 5 Mangwiro – Mistake
The Jesus Project – Ipapo
All for Christ – Mwari Wakanaka
Vabati VaJehova – Zvichanaka
The Breeze – Wanyamalala
BEST COLLABORATION
Nutty O ft Poptain – Kokai
King 98 ft Diamond – Kachiri
Poptain ft Allanah – Fadza Mutengi
ExQ ft Tocky – Wakatemba
Tamy ft Jah Prayzah – Kuteera
BEST FEMALE ARTIST
Tamy
Shasha
Gemma
Awa Khiwe
Janet Manyowa
BEST MALE ARTIST
Nutty O
Holy 10
Poptain
Jah Master
Mambo Dhuterere
SONG OF THE YEAR
Nutty O – Safe
Nutty O ft Poptain – Kokai
Allanah ft Poptain – Fadza Mutengi
ExQ and Tocky – Wakatemba
Jah Master – Hello Mwari
-@mthabisi_mthire



