Monday, April 16, 2007
2007 SAMA winners & controversey
The week has started with South Africa’s newest SAMA winners still glowing in their glory! The nation’s 13th annual music awards ceremony, held at the Sun City Superbowl on Friday & Saturday night, has provided us with some new names to focus on in the future, while also reconfirming that some of our biggest stars, are still stars! But nothing without a little bit of controversy…I read through numerous online reports, & even 4 papers yesterday; the Sunday Times, The Sunday Independent, The Sunday Weekend Argus & City Press; just trying to find a full list of the winners, but each place I went to just highlighted their own readers presumed preferences. How are we supposed to hear about all the winners if we don’t read about them? How do you cross language barriers if not through music, and learning who is singing what?
The controversy stems from the article in the City Press, written by Japhet Ncube & Cecil Motsepe, who were at the event at the Sun City Superbowl. Their headline reads ‘Dana crowned queen of SA Music’ with the by-line ‘But drama and controversy plague ‘rigged’ music awards’.
“Controversy, drama and rumours that the event was rigged could spoil what turned out to be Simphiwe Dana’s night to shine.” And the article carries on mostly using words like ‘incredibly talented singer controversially crowned’, and about Best Newcomer award winner Siphokazi, who was nominated for 5 awards, being ‘robbed’ of the Best Female Artist award because there is doubt over the juries selection process.Nothing constructive was offered, or any direct accusation made against the awards process, to which the organizers can answer. Is this responsible reporting? Or do I smell vrot grapes? (Am sure Jon Cherry from the SA Blog Awards knows this feeling!)
I am very pleased with this years winners, as most of the artists I focused on in my ‘South Africans shining all over the world’ post are artists that we love to promote, and were happy winners on the night. And rightfully so!
snatched the Best Group/Duo award from We are so chuffed that Moreira & Mark Fransman picked up the Best Producer Award; and who can deny the talent of Chris Chameleon for Best Adult Contemporary in Afrikaans; while City Press bitch that MafikizoloTrompies and Shwi Nomtekhala (Best Selling Album), who Ncube & Motsepe say should have at least taken it home.The journo’s say that many of the judges are hand-picked by the organizers (tjommies?), and that some of them moonlight by writing artists profiles and press releases for the record labels (back-handers?), which must prejudice them. Some of the judges have not even written about the music industry in a number of years; which is a worrying factor, because even I would then be a better judge of what’s going on out there!
I just find it slapgat that this information is not highlighted & bitched about prior to the event, as there is really no need to piddle on the fireworks that some very deserved artists have happening inside their heads!
Let’s celebrate the music, encourage audiences to support and nurture that many talented people we have in South Africa, and be professional about how we assess success. Pointing fingers should be done at the right time, and in the right face – the artists, nominated or winning, have no control over the awards – they just want to do what they do best!So we would like to wish all the winners of this years South African Music Awards our heartiest congratulations, and to the runners up – there is always next year!
For a FULL list of the winners – please feel free to scroll down… Because I want you to know more!
Best Solo Male Artist: Vusi Mahlasela for Naledi Ya TselaBest Female Solo Artist: Simphiwe Dana for One Love movement on Bantu Biko Street (hopefully Gallo will be able to afford to update her website now…)
Best Duo/Group: Mafikizolo for Six Mabone
Best Selling Album: Shwi Nomtekhala
Album of the Year: Simphiwe Dana for One Love movement on Bantu Biko Street
Best Producer : Moreiera Chonguica & Mark Fransman for Moreira Chongiuca & the Moreira Project
Best Engineer: Lloyd Ross for Vusi Mahlasela
Best Compilation DVD (Single Artist): Mafikizolo for The Hits
Best Live DVD: Soweto Gospel Choir for Blessed Live in Concert
Best Music Video: Lara Hollis for Lira
Best Kwaito: Kabelo for Exodus
Best Rap: Flabba (from Skwatta Kamp) for Nkuli vs Flabba
Best R&B/Soul: Claire Phillips for Say My Name
Best urban Dance: DJ Cleo for Eskhaleni Zone 3
Best Afrikaans Dance: Kurt Darren for Lekker Lekker
Best Urban Pop: Lesego for Mymusic
Best Pop (African): Mafikizolo for Six Mabone
Best Pop (Afrikaans): Eden for Eden
Best Pop (English): Danny K for This is my time
Best Alternative: Lark for Razbliuto
Best Rock (Afrikaans): Fokofpolisiekar for Swansong
Best Rock (English): Cassestte for Welcome Back to Earth
Best Country: Fredi Nest for Hey DJ
Best Kiddies Afrikaans: Steve Hofmeyr for Laaitjies & Ladies
Pop/Rock Gospel: Mic for Snapshot
Traditional African Accapella Gospel: Thulani Manana for Impi Kasathane
African Traditional Gospel: Jabu & Sipho for Esphambonweni (Send Your Fire)
African Contemporary Gospel: Rebecca for Umthombo
Best Urban Gospel: Redeemed for Live in Soweto
Best Adult Contemporary - African: Siphokazi for Ubunu Bam
Best Adult Contemporary – Afrikaans: Chris Chameleon for 7de Hemel
Best Adult Contemporary – English: Johnny Clegg for One Life
Vocal Jazz: Simphiwe Dana for One Love movement on Bantu Biko Street
Instrumental Jazz: Bheki Khosa for Getting to Heaven Alive
Contemporary Jazz: Simphiwe Dana for One Love movement on Bantu Biko Street
Best Instrumental: Paul Hammer for Accused #1 Nelson Mandela
Best Traditional Accapella: Colenso Abafana Benkokhelo for Induku
Best Maskanda: Shwi Nomtekhala for Angimazi Ubaba
Best Mbhaqanga: Bhekumuzi Luthuli for Inkinga Ngu R7
Best Tsonga: MD Shirinda for Gama Ranshele
Best Afrikaans Traditional: Klipwerf for Hantam Kwela
Labels: controversey, SAMA, Simphiwe Dana, vusi mahlasela
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
South Africans shining all over the world!
Chris Gayle was the first cricketer to lose his wicket at the 2007 Cricket World Cup being played in the West Indies – we especially installed a television in our office so that Denise and I can keep up to date with all the cricket, rugby and of course MK 89 (our MTV in Afrikaans) – well, that was my excuse anyway!Go Protea’s!!! Go South Africa! (And go Jacques Kallis! Let's hope that his recent announcement of a new love in his life, Sharmone Jardim, is going to make him want to bat and bowl like a demon!)
Then, this weekend saw the 2007 South African Music Awards nominee’s being announced, and it looks like another great mixed bag of pap, wors, scones and chilli's!
Here are the nominee’s that we have been working with of late:Simphiwe Dana - The One Love Movement on Bantu Biko Street for Best Female Artist, Album of the Year, Best Contemporary Jazz Album, Best Vocal Jazz Album and Best Producer for Bheki Khoza for the album.
Vusi Mahlasela - Naledi Ya Tsela for Best Male Artist, Album of the Year, Best Adult Contemporary Album : African
Mafikizolo - Six Mabone for Best Duo/Group, Best Adult Contemporary Album : African, Best Pop Album : African, Best Compilation DVD for The Hits.
The Moreira Project - The Journey Vol 1 for Best Instrumental Album, Best Contemporary Jazz Album, Moreira Chonguica and Mark Fransmar (The Moreira Project - The Journey Vol 1) for Best Producer.
DNA Strings - Live in Cape Town for Best Instrumental Album; Johnny Clegg - One Life for Best Adult Contemporary Album : English; Just Jinjer - Just Jinjer for Best Adult Contemporary Album : English and Best Rock Album : English; Chris Chameleon - 7de Hemel for Best Adult Contemporary Album and Afrikaans Best Alternative Music Album for Shine; and Kurt Darren - Lekker Lekker for Best Adult Contemporary Album : Afrikaans, Best Pop Album : Afrikaans, Best Dance Album : AfrikaansThen there is Amanda Luyt - Deel van my for Best Adult Contemporary Album : Afrikaans; Rebecca – Umthombo for Best African Contemporary Gospel Album; Steve Hofmeyr - Laaities & Ladies for Best Kiddies Album: Afrikaans (and he is a SA Blog finalist... see the circles I keep!); Fredi Nest - Hey DJ for Best Kiddies Album: Afrikaans; and it's great to see Fokofpolisiekar – Swanesang for Best Rock Album : Afrikaans
Wonderboom - City of Gold for Best Rock Album : English; Danny K - This is my Time for Best Pop Album : English and Best R&B/Soul Album; Amor Vittone - Voluit for Best Pop Album : Afrikaans; David Fourie - Kom hier na my toe for Best Dance Album : Afrikaans; and because we don't like to compartamentalise, Shana - Iyo Londaba and Dj Cleo - Eskhaleni Zone 3 for Best Urban Dance Album.
We are very excited (especially Angie) that Best Live DVD sees 1st Project - Play it to Break it (who were ALSO at the opening ceremony of the ICC World Cup in Jamaica, but credited as the Drum Cafe... tut tut) is in the running against Ringo - Ringo Live 2, Hugh Masekela - Live at the Market Theatre and Nicholis Louw - Rock Daai Lyfie Live.Best Compilation DVD also for Ringo - Love Songs and Oliver Mtukudzi – Wonai, while Ringo was also nominated for Best Producer for Ringo - Ndim Lo.
Many of MELT's videos were made by Best Music Video nominee Lianne Cox with the late Lebo's Brand New Day chosen.
For a full listing of all the 2007 South African Music Awards nominee’s, please click here!
Finally, although I must admit that I haven’t heard of them before, Gospel musics Dove Awards, are happening on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 in Nashville, Tennessee USA. Di Rosen Productions from Cape Town has been nominated in the category Long Form Music Video of the Year: Alive In South Africa; Israel & New Breed; Israel Houghton; Integrity Music… pretty cool if you ask me…
It is definitely inspiring. Inspiring because its a time when the youth get lots of exposure of their idols, and hopefully those idols appreciate this power.Last week I was at Dizu Plaatjies house, with my Dutch family and Pops Mohamed (left). That's where I got to see how much power a mentor has; younger kids would arrive at his rehearsal room at the back of his house, pick out what ever instrument they could find, and play their hearts out! They had been inspired.
Later on the adults would arrive, all students of Dizu’s traditional & cultural lessons, and show the younger ones how music is really made. It's all part of the process. The young ones looking up at the older more experienced ones, hoping that they too will one day be able to play with such ease and rhythm; hoping to be up there some day. Watch the progression...
Winning awards, or just being recognised for the efforts and passion that you put into your work; we all live in hope of that. So make sure you inspire someone today, tomorrow, when-ever, and let's support those who inspire us!
Labels: 1st project, Chris Chameleon, Dizu Plaatjies, fokofpolisiekar, Lebo Mathosa, Moreira Project, Oliver Mtukudzi, Pops Mohamed, SAMA, Simphiwe Dana, vusi mahlasela
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Simphiwe Dana from around the world
A few years back, Robert from M.E.L.T. introduced Len and I to music journalist, Wolfgang Koenig, from Berlin Germany, when he needed a place to stay while coming to the then, Cape Town North Sea Jazz Festival.Wolfgang, who has degrees in Foreign Trade, African Economics and Communication Sciences, has since been to Cape Town a number of times more; sleeping on our couch, Jasper’s bed, the floor in the lounge – where-ever we could put him! And in return he hosted us in 2004 when we took a catalogue of artists to the POPKOMM festival in Berlin, and later we shared the same B&B during the 2004 WOMEX in Essen.
When I grow up one day I want to have as many CD’s as Wolfgang has! As he explains,” I rather collect CDs than banknotes.”
Living in a stunning 1930’s apartment block with high ceilings, big rooms and long passages, I couldn’t believe the amount of CD’s, DVD’s and LP’s he has collected over the years. Almost every wall is covered with racks, from floor to ceiling, and the amazing thing is that he knows where everything is. When talking about an artist he would dash off and pluck the CD he wanted without having to look around – he just knows.Wolfgang used to live Eastern side of the Berlin wall during the Cold War, but as a music journalist, he was permitted from time to time travel across to the decadent Capitalist and of course 'friendly' countries like Cuba. In 1989 when the wall came down, he was in the U.K., suddenly finding himself free, and not having to adhere to the strict controls that he had had to put up with at home.
But being on the Eastern side of the wall, Wolfgang came into contact with quite a number of South African musicians who were studying at East Germany during Apartheid, with whom he used to play music. So from those early days, his love of South African music has continued, and I have some awesome recordings of concerts and interviews he's had with artists like Pops Mohamed, Dorethy Masuka and Hugh Masekela.
At the beginning of last year, just after the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, we started getting loads of enquiries for the very exciting Simphiwe Dana, after she had blown audiences away. We made contact with her, and her partner who manages her, and although they were very pleased to work with us, we didn't have any of marketing material – which isn’t great when trying to impress clients.So we only had one thing to do – contact Wolfgang! And within 15 minutes we had a write-up, and a track from her debut album, Zandisile.
Simphiwe, who hails from the Transkei, has gone on to become one of the top artists available in South Africa, and with her strong sense of community spirit, has co-written tracks with strong social messages – Sibuthwele Ubunzima explores the problem of hunger in SA, Zandisile is a song from mother to daughter, and Ingoma is about the joy that can be found in music, regardless of other problems in your life. Her music touches the soul.
To celebrate a new album by this South African star, The One Love Movement on Bantu Biko Street that will be hitting the shelves soon, I have been able to find a small snippet of her Zandisile video – once again having to get it from a Spanish fan who has posted the vid. It matters not, as long as we get to enjoy it!
Labels: hugh masekela, MELT, North Sea Jazz Festival, Pops Mohamed, Simphiwe Dana, WOMEX
