Trio dominates Zim dancehall awards

Genre : Awards lists
Principal country concerned :

Column : Music

Release/publication date : September 2015
Published on : 09/03/2015
Source : http://www.herald.co.zw/trio-dominates-zim-dancehall-awards/ 9 March 2015

Popular artistes Tocky Vibes, Winky D and Seh Calaz dominated the Zim dancehall awards night held last weekend at East End Hall in Harare after walking away with three gongs each.

The awards ceremony was a resounding success for the genre that is normally associated with negativity and violence.

Although the event started late, it went on well and there were no cases of violence at the function.

Tocky Vibes walked away with Best Male Artiste, Best Social Message and Song of the Year awards while Winky D, who was last year's biggest winner, got Best Dressed, Honorary and Best Live Performer awards.

Winky D, popularly known as the Ninja President, who was clad in a red suit, matching shoes and hat thanked his fans for supporting and voting for him.

Tocky Vibes continued with his awards string after taking gongs at the NAMA and PaChedu awards.

Seh Calaz, who dominated the nomination list, was awarded the Best Video, Best Club Hit and Best Vocalist accolades.

His manager,Godfrey Bakasa, affectionately known as Vokal Mubhanditi, lost the Best Manager award to Jonathan Banda, who manages Winky D.

Bakasa, who was called on stage by Seh Calaz when he won the Best Club Hit, said the awards should be awarded on merit.

"I have worked very hard and these awards should given on merit," said Bakasa angrily, apparently suggesting that he should have won the Best Manager Award.

Dancehall queen Lady Squanda walked away with the Best Female award for the second year running.

In her speech, the musician said as artistes they deserve better than a mere gong.

"I thank you all for supporting me, but to the organisers, we deserve better than this cheap gong," she said.

Popular local radio station Star FM scooped the Best Radio Station Supporting Zim dancehall while honorary awards went to Winky D, Dhadza D and DJ Smiley.

Among the 27 categories, this year had some surprises after recording ties on some of the awards that include Best Dressed Award, Best Social Message, Best Collaboration and Best Collabo Riddim.

The colourful event, which was a major improvement from last year's affair, started late but went on well.

The well-decorated and choreographed ceremony started with live interviews and red carpet moments for those with VIP, VVIP invites and nominees.

The show's entertainment line-up was opened by Ras Caleb while Most Improved Artiste winner Terminator managed to put up a scintillating performance.

One of the followers of the awards applauded organisers for a good event.

"I believe this edition was different from last year's edition. I think people have a bad perception when it comes to dancehall music. People expected it to be violent and unprofessional. Although they started late, I enjoyed the show," said Innocent Muswere, a fan of Zim dancehall.

Below is the list of winners:

Best Club DJ - DJ Fleva

Best Dance Group - Flying Angels

Best Zim dancehall Online - King Alfred

Best Vocalist - Seh Calaz

Best Radio Station On Supporting Zim dancehall - Star FM

Best Dressed Performer - Winky D and Ricky Fire

Best Album – Silver Bullet by Sniper Storm

Best Social Message - Simudza Maoko, Tocky Vibes and Nhamo - Jah Love

Best Youngster - Spiderman

Most Promising Artiste - Jerry B

Best Artiste Diaspora - Buffalo Souljah