Davido
Nigerian older artistes did not find things easy at the MTV Africa Music Awards held in South Africa on Saturday, JAYNE AUGOYE writes
It is no longer news that a wind of change is currently blowing across the music industry in Nigeria. A new order championed by young, vibrant and talented artistes has emerged.
Today, young acts are giving the older and established stars a run for their money. These new-wave superstars rub shoulders with the same artistes whom they once looked up to or chose as role models.
Apart from competing with the ‘old guards’ in terms of income and expenditure, they are often nominated for major music awards in similar categories. In many instances, they are carting away these juicy awards.
This fact was reinforced on Saturday, June 7, in far away South Africa, when young Nigerian talents Davido, Clarence Peters, Flavour and Tiwa Savage grabbed a total of six awards at the MTV Africa Music Awards, held at the
Durban International Convention Centre, KwaZulu-Natal.
Stealing the shine of fellow nominees, including Psquare and South African acts, Mafikizulo, Mi Casa and Uhuru, Nigeria’s rave of the moment, Davido, was crowned ‘The Artiste of the Year’, thus making him Africa’s biggest artiste at the moment.
The 20-year-old, who is clearly a leading light in African pop culture today, also walked away with the Best Male Award at the event. The chap who had the most nominations — alongside Mafikizolo — beat his arch-rival, Wizkid, who had two nominations; South Africa’s Donald, Angola’s Anselmo Ralph and Tanzania’s Diamond to the award.
These feats have set tongues wagging among their fans. On online music portal, notjustok.com, most of the comments went in the same direction: that Davido seems to be overshadowing Wizkid.
One says, “Wizkid no longer gets award because he still dresses, dances and sings like a kid. He doesn’t want to grow up. Davido sings more mature songs and has more mature videos than Wizkid.”
Another reader who simply identifies himself as True also writes, “Wizkid should go back to his drawing board and learn how to make good songs without using same lyrics all over again.”
For Mavin Records first lady Tiwa Savage, it was a glorious outing as the newly-wedded star edged out fellow Nigerian singer, Chidinma, and Ghana’s Efya to win the award for ‘Best Female Act‘.
The singer who tactically released her controversial vaguely, nude music video, Wanted, during the build-up to the award ceremony, succeeded in attracting media buzz for herself. The criticisms she got notwithstanding, the Eminando crooner, whose debut album Once Upon a Time was released in 2013, is fast becoming a formidable force in the international music scene.
Hip-life singer, Flavour, beat legendary singer, 2face idibia, whom some critics say is simply riding on his accumulated glory; Congolese star artiste, Fally Ipupa; and South Africa’s Dr Malinda and Zakes Bantwini to win the Best Live Act award at the glamorous ceremony.
African Pop giants, Psquare, were the biggest losers at the 2014 MAMA, losing in three categories. They lost out in the ‘Best Group’, ‘Song of the Year‘(both won by Mafikizolo) and ‘Artiste of the Year’ (won by Davido) categories. The pop duo, who were absent at the show, are working on their sixth album.
In this year’s newly introduced lifestyle award categories, Kenyan actress, Lupita Nyong’o, took home the award for Personality of the Year. She beat Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Chimamanda Adichie, to the crest. The inaugural MTV Base Leadership Award was won by Tanzanian entrepreneur Ashish J Thakar.
Nigerian video director Clarence Peters won two awards – Transform Today by Absolut, and Best Video. The publicity-shy director dedicated the award to his mother, veteran actress, Clarion Chukura, who incidentally won big at the just concluded Africa Movie Academy Awards.
The show was hosted by Hollywood actor and comedian Marlon Wayans and featured performances from artistes such as Miguel, Trey Songz, Flavour N’abania, French Montana, Tiwa Savage, Davido, Mafikizolo, Ice Prince, Dr SID, Fally Ipupa, Don Jazzy, DJ Clock and D’Banj.
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