Shame: East, Southern Africa acts floor Nigerian stars at Channel O Music Video Awards

Burna boy, lost at Channel O Awards

Africa’s biggest night in music, the 2014 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards, was once more a massive celebration of the crème de la crème of the music industry.

 East and Southern Africa reigned supreme in the form of Tanzania’s Diamond and South Africa’s Cassper Nyovest and who scooped the most awards on the night.

 Bongo Flava recording artist Diamond Platnumz proved that he too is a force to be reckoned with when he took home the Most Gifted Newcomer, Most Gifted Afro Pop as well as Most Gifted East awards for his breakout hit “Number One”. Cassper - who has been on a winning streak this year and most recently celebrated his debut album Tsholofelo going Gold - his catchy club banger “Doc Shebeleza” earned him a win in the Most Gifted Male, Most Gifted Southern and the biggest award of the night the Jameson Most Gifted Video of the Year categories. Beating the likes of DJ Clock, Tiwa Savage, K.O, Riky Rick, Burna Boy, Emmy Gee including the Prince of Hip Hop himself A.K.A who were also nominated in the latter category. 

 Up against Nigeria’s Seyi Shay. Mozambique’s Liza james, SA’s Thembi Seete and Bucie, “Eminado” featuring one of the continent’s well-respected producers Don Jazzy garnered a win for Tiwa Savage in the Most Gifted Female category. KCEE won the Most Gifted Duo, Group or Featuring award for his song “Pull Over” which features one of Nigeria’s best selling artists Wizkid, beating K.O, who undoubtedly has had one of the biggest songs of the year. The awards for the equally competitive categories Most Gifted Kwaito and Most Gifted Hip Hop went to Uhuru featuring Oskido and Professor for “Y-Tjukutja” and A.KA for “Congratulate” beating Khuli Chana and Cassper Nyovest respectively. Other winners included Busiswa (Most Gifted Dance – “Ngoku”), Buffalo Souljah (Most Gifted Ragga/Dancehall– “Turn Up”), Donald (Most Gifted R&B – “Crazy But Amazing”) and Olamide (Most Gifted West – “Turn Up”).

 The only award not determined by public votes, the coveted Special Recognition Award went to South African hitmakers, Boom Shaka. Channel O paid homage with an honorary performance to the pioneering group that dared to be different and ultimately shaped the Kwaito genre in the ‘90s. Bucie and Busiswa took to the stage and joined remaining group members Junior Sokhela, Theo Nhlengethwa and Thembi Seete and paid tribute to fallen band member Lebo Mathosa with an emotional rendition of the group’s song “Free”, concluding with a spectacular trip down memory lane with the mega hits “Thobela” and “It’s About Time”.

 In true Channel O Africa Music Video Awards style, the night was dominated by never-seen-before collaborations and mash-ups. K.O and A.K.A had the crowd in a frenzy when they opened the show with their hit songs “Caracara” and “Run Jozi”. Other mind blowing performances included “Tsekede” and “Yaya” by Dreamteam and DJ Dimplez featuring Anatii respectively; Patoranking featuring Tiwa Savage (“Girlie ‘O” remix); Bucie (“Easy to Love”); Donald (“Unpredictable”); Davido (“Aye”); Lil Kesh (“Shoki” remix); Riky Rick (“Amantombazane” remix); Cassper Nyovest (“Doc Shebeleza”) and Emmy’s Gee’s Rands and Nairas remix.

 “Events like the Channel O Africa Music Video Awards happen once a year, but the artists are constantly at work perfecting their craft. Having the privilege to witness that hard work in one night and on one stage is an incredible feeling. Channel O has always provided musicians with a platform to showcase their talent and tonight was no exception.  As Africans we have come a long way and I would like to thank those individuals who make a valuable contribution towards making the African music industry a masterpiece that we can all be proud of,” says Channel O Africa Manager Leslie Kasumba.

 In their 11^th year running and hosted by Eku Edewor of Africa Magic’s Jara and Vuzu’s Siyabonga Ngwekazi the 2014 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards were broadcast LIVE from the sold out mammoth Expo Centre, Nasrec, Johannesburg.

 If you missed it, check out the show repeats on Channel O, DStv channel 320 on: