adminHarare Bureau
VARIOUS music lovers across the country have taken to social media networking sites to express their disappointment over National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) nominees that were released last week.
Some categories that irked fans were Outstanding Album and Outstanding Female Musician. Most are questioning why Sulumani Chimbetu’s Gunship album was nominated as one of the outstanding albums yet it was released three days before the closing date of the Nama entries.
The closing date was November 30 and Sulu released his album on November 27.
“How can an album become outstanding yet it was released four days before the closing date of the awards ceremony?” Reward Muchini quizzed on Facebook.
Some blasted the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe – organisers of the awards – for failing to recognise albums such as Leonard Zhakata’s Zvangu Zvaita, Blessing Shumba’s NdiJesu, Mathias Mhere’s Anoita Minana and Extra Kwazvose’s Zvepasirino among other albums that topped chats in 2014.
“We’ve other artistes whose albums did well last year but they weren’t recognised at all,” posted one Precious Gwemba.
Newcomer, Tocky Vibes who was nominated for Outstanding Album for his Mhai Singles Collection was not spared as people claimed he released singles not an album.
Gospel musician Agatha Murudzwa’s nomination in the Outstanding Female category has also sparked controversy as music fans claim that she last released an album No Pain No Gain in 2013.
Since she got married she has not been visible on the music scene.
A musician who refused to be named said it was a pity that the adjudicators failed to consider artistes like Ammara Brown, Fungisai Zvakavapano, Pah Chihera and Selmor Mtukudzi who have been doing well in 2014.
“I think it’s very unfair to recognise artistes who aren’t contributing immensely in the music industry,” she said.
Benjy Nyandoro director of Jive Zimbabwe – an organisation that has been responsible for selling of music online said there was need for Nama organisers to publish the criteria they use to select nominees before announcing them.
“They should publish a dashboard with time updates on the votes.
“For as long as the criteria isn’t published, there’s no basis for us to criticise,” he said.
NACZ communication and marketing officer Cathrine Mtombeni could not be drawn for comment.
Online Reporter