2013 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards prepare to honour Africa’s most gifted!

The voting is closed and organisers of the annual Channel O Africa Music Awards 
are furiously preparing to honour the continent’s most gifted musicians with a spectacular LIVE show.

Winners in the 14 categories will be announced at the event, which takes place this Saturday, 30 November at Walter Sisulu Square, in Kliptown Soweto. The 10th Annual Channel O Africa Music Awards will be broadcast live on Channel O at 20:00, giving music fans across the continent the chance to be part of the highs, the lows, the red-carpet glamour, the drama and the joy as the awards unfold in Soweto.

This year, the annual Channel O Africa Music Awards will confirm its standing as Africa’s leading and most consistently exciting music awards event with a superb line-up of live acts. Among those taking to the stage on Saturday night will be Cassper Nyovest featuring Okmalumkooklat, Burna Boy, The Soil, Khuli Chana, Victoria Kimani, Buffalo Souljah, Wizkid, Aka featuring Da L.E.S., KCee, Lizha James, and Mafikizolo.

In the host hot seat is the one-two star-studded combination of Nigerian muso Naeto C and South African hip hopper AKA – both artists already having proved their popularity with Channel O viewers over the past few years.

The only category not voted by Channel O viewers is the Special Recognition, which this year is being awarded to Nigerian R&B duo P-Square.

Twin brothers Peter and Paul Okoye, are being honoured for their significant artistic contributions to music, which have helped place African music and its artists firmly on international stages. They follow in the footsteps of the likes of Oscar “Oskido” Mdlongwa (2012); Nigeria’s Koko Master D’Banj (2011); Somalian born K’NAAN (2010); South African Brenda Fassie (2009) and Ghana’s George Lee (2008).

So tune in at 20:00 when the 2013 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards finally get underway!


Follow us on twitter @ChannelOTV and @ChannelOAfrica and the 2013 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards official hashtag is #CHOAMVA.

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Meet Mrejo, the new kid on the motswako block

He has been mentored by none other than Zola, and now hip-hop singer-songwriter Mrejo is poised for recognition in his own right with the release of his debut solo album, 1000 Reflections.

This charismatic motswako artist from Mafikeng is releasing his long-awaited first album through BakTu Musik in November 2013, and all indications are that his decade-long journey to find his niche in the local music industry is finally starting to bear fruit.

Mrejo says of the 14-track CD: “The album is based on my personal journey through challenging times in the business. It’s titled 1000 Reflections as a metaphor, referring to someone looking at himself in a shattered mirror.”

He adds: “This project is a personal look at the ups and downs I have faced on my road to success. I really hope it will communicate messages of hope and inspiration to those following in my footsteps.”

The first single, Lehipi (featuring LTK), was released last year to much acclaim, and he will be performing at various venues and festivals throughout the country during November and December to promote the album. First up is an appearance with Mafikizolo at the Red-Ox Inn in Mafikeng on Friday, 15 November 2013 from 5pm.

Mrejo was born Reginald Thapelo Molalabangwe in Mmabatho and began exploring his love for music with a band called BLB in the late 1990s.

He went on to join the group TTC before forming the duo Matona, which released an album and shared stages across the country with the likes of Mandoza, Zola, Mapaputsi, Tshepo Tshola, Brown Dash and Mafikizolo.

Mrejo was steadily building a name for himself, particularly in North West music circles, as a talented songwriter of note. But the following few years were marked by hardship as Mrejo, who had relocated to Pretoria, struggled to balance the demands of a music career with the necessity to make ends meet.

The year 2010 proved to be a turning point for Mrejo, when he started working with Nigerian-born Afrobeat saxophonist Olufemi and was featured on his album. He also featured on a Zola track, and went on to dazzle audiences at the North West Cultural Calabash.

He has been increasingly garnering respect from his music peers as a motswako lyricist of note, including recording a song for the University of Motswako mixtape compilation – a cross-border project for up-and-coming motswako rappers from Botswana and South Africa.

The culmination of his long and eventful musical journey is the new album, 1000 Reflections. It sees Mrejo in a confident songwriting space, collaborating with the cream of the Mafikeng musical crop, with Mafikeng FM station manager LTK, Mo’ Molemi and OBK taking turns at the microphone.

Tshepo Vena and Jason Brown lent their veterans’ touch to the production of most of the tracks, while up-and-coming young producers Green Fingures and Wizzy Majwana also added a touch of magic.

The album is already causing a stir in local music circles. Paige Holmes of the Bassline in Newtown said of the laid-back track Monday Morning: “I like the smooth rhythm, which makes you feel like you’re still on the weekend, and is in great contrast to the lyrics – I LIKE!” And KG of Lesedi FM enthused: “The album is nice and balanced.”

Mrejo is also a co-founder of Pro5Media, a one-stop media solution company, and remains a passionate devotee of music who never misses an opportunity to spend time in the studio.
 

Check out Mrejo, one of local motswako hip-hop’s most exciting new voices, on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mrejo/121762174648130 or
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mrejofanbase/) and Twitter (@mrejo_letsopaa), look out for 1000 Reflections at a record store near you, and see him in action at one of the following gigs.

View a video at http://youtu.be/AtmKkZdKNWg

Mrejo’s upcoming gigs:

 

• Friday, 15 November: Red-Ox Inn, Mafikeng
• Thursday, 28 November: Ikageng Pub, Potchefstroom
• Saturday, 7 December: Venue TBC, Welkom
• Sunday, 15 December: Mmabatho Music Festival
• Wednesday, 1 January 2014: Disaneng Music Festival

Hustle On Your Grind Mag issue 3

Naeto C and AKA to host Channel O Africa Music Video Awards

Nigerian superstar Naeto C and South African airwaves hotshot, AKA, have been announced as the co-hosts of the upcoming 10^th Annual Channel O Africa Music Video Awards.

The two will bring a one-two star punch to the star-studded live show, taking place on Saturday, 30 November at Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown Soweto, which is expected to be attended by the who’s who of the African entertainment scene.

Naeto C and AKA’s star wattage will also be on full display to music fans throughout Africa as the two keep the action rolling during the broadcast, which goes out LIVE on Channel O at 20:00.

"I'm really excited to host this year’s Channel O Africa Music Video Awards, especially on its 10th anniversary,” says Naeto C. “To be a part of this experience is totally awesome and I look forward to sharing this magical moment with the rest of Africa on November 30th."

The Nigerian artist’s sentiments are echoed by AKA.

"I am very honoured to co-host this celebration of Africa's finest talent with Naeto C. I won my first Channel O Music Video award in 2011 and two years later, being in this position is testament to my loyal following. Thank You to Channel O and the fans, it’s going to be a classic night,” says AKA

Naeto C has enjoyed a lengthy association with the Channel O Africa Music Video Awards. In 2009 he won the highly coveted Video of the Year award for his blowout hit, “Ki Ni Big Deal”, in 2010 the track “Ako Mi Ti Poju” saw him take home the Most Gifted Hip Hop Video award and a year later, Most Gifted African West Video was awarded to "10 Over 10".

AKA, meanwhile, is a multiple nominee in 2013, with no less than three nods in the Video of the Year category – for his own song “Jealousy” and two collaborations, Xtatic/AKA & Priddy Ugly’s “Hit ‘Em Up” and Zeus ft AKA & Tumi’s “#DatsWasup”. “Jealousy” is also in the running for Most Gifted Hip Hop – a category AKA won in 2011 for another of his growing list of chart-bangers, “Victory Lap”.

The 10th Annual Channel O Africa Music Video Awards have all the makings of a thrilling affair when the live event takes place on Saturday, 30 November in Soweto.

Just who will win Africa’s biggest awards on the night is now in the hands of fans! Voting closes on Thursday, 21 November at 00:00 (midnight) and can be done on three different platforms – via sms, web and WAP.

To vote via SMS, just SMS the artist voting code to +2783142100415. Standard SMS rates apply. Web and WAP votes can be cast at www.channelo.tv

Follow us on twitter @ChannelOTV and the 2013 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards official hashtag is #CHOAMVA.

Below is the full list of nominees as well as their voting codes:

MOST GIFTED MALE VIDEO
DONALD    -    OVER THE MOON	1A
ZEUS FT AKA & TUMI -  #DatsWasup	1B
WIZKID    -    AZONTO	1C
AY/MARCO CHALI    -    PARTY ZONE	1D
IYANYA    -    FLAVOUR	1E
MOST GIFTED FEMALE VIDEO
ZONKE    -    FEELINGS	2A
LIZHA JAMES FT ANSELMO RALPH   -   VAIS ROCHAR	2B
STL    -    STELLA STELLA STELLA	2C
TIWA SAVAGE FT DON JAZZY    -    WITHOUT MY HEART	2D
TOYA DELAZY - HEART	2E
MOST GIFTED NEWCOMER
MONEOA    -    IS'BHANXA	3A
LOLA RAE    -    WATCH MY TING GO	3B
KHAYA MTHETHWA    -    MOVE	3C
VICTORIA KIMANI    -    MTOTO	3D
BURNA BOY    -    TONIGHT	3E
MOST GIFTED DUO, GROUP OR FEATURING
TEARGAS  - WAKE UP	4A
XTATIC/AKA & PRIDDY UGLY - HIT 'EM UP	4B
MICASA - CAN'T GET ENOUGH	4C
EME - BADDEST BOY	4D
NAETO C FT D'BANJ  -  TONY MONTANA (BAD PASS) REMIX	4E
ZONEFAM - CONTOLOLA	4F
MOST GIFTED RAGGA DANCEHALL VIDEO
BUFFALO SOULJAH   -   BASAWINE	5A
KAAKIE    -    TOO MUCH	5B
JESSE JAGZ    -    MURDER DEM	5C
P-UNIT FT COLLO    -    YOU GUY (DAT DENDAI)	5D
RADIO & WEASEL    -    CAN'T LET YOU GO	5E
MOST GIFTED  HIP HOP VIDEO
AKA - JEALOUSY	6A
JAYSO & SARKODIE    -    PIZZA & BURGER	6B
REASON    -    DO IT LIKE I CAN	6C
IFANI FT BLAKSUGA - CHOCOLATE VANILLA	6D
E.L./M.ANIFEST    -    HALLELUJAH	6E
MOST GIFTED  R&B VIDEO
BANKY W    -    YES/NO	7A
VICTORIA KIMANI/M.I.    -    OYA	7B
ANSELMO RALPH - CURTICAO	7C
DANNY K    -    BROWN EYES	7D
CHASE    -    LONELY	7E
MOST GIFTED AFRO POP
THE SOIL FT ZAKWE - IINKOMO	8A
SAUTI SOL    -    MONEY LOVER	8B
2 FACE IDIBIA    -    IHE NE ME	8C
THE MUFFINZ    -    UMSEBENZI WENDODA	8D
DAVIDO  -  GOBE	8E
MOST GIFTED DANCE VIDEO
KCEE    -    LIMPOPO	9A
MAFIKIZOLO    -    KHONA	9B
FUSE ODG FT WYCLEF JEAN    -    ANTENNA	9C
DJ MALVADO FT PETTY  - JAMAICA	9D
DJ GANYANI  FT FB   -    XIGUBU	9E
MOST GIFTED KWAITO
L'VOVO DERRANGO FT PROFESSOR     -    PALESA	10A
PROFESSOR ft Oskido & Charactor    -    FINGER PRINTS	10B
EES   -   WOZA DECEMBER	10C
KABELO - IMPILO	10D
DJ TIRA FT BIG NUZ & JOOCY - SUMMERTIME	10E
MOST GIFTED  AFRICAN WEST
D'PRINCE - GOODY BAG	11A
ICE PRINCE    -    ABOKI	11B
R2BEES    -    LIFE (WALAAHI)	11C
D-BLACK/JOEY B    -    VERA	11D
CHIDINMA/ ILL BLISS/ THA SUSPECT  -   EMI NI BALLER	11E
P SQUARE  -    ALINGO	11F
MOST GIFTED AFRICAN EAST
P-UNIT/COLLO    -    YOU GUY [DAT DENDAI]	12A
SAUTI SOL    -    MONEY LOVER	12B
RADIO & WEASEL    -    MAGNETIC	12C
AY/MARCO CHALI    -    PARTY ZONE	12D
NAVIO    -    KATA	12E
MOST GIFTED AFRICAN SOUTH
DAMA DO BLING   -   MY EISH	13A
OSKIDO    -    TSA MANDEBELE	13B
BLACK COFFEE  FT ZAKES BANTWINI  -    TAKE IT ALL OFF	13C
PAUL G FT FABULOUS   -   GET CONTROL	13D
DJ DIMPLEZ FT L - TIDO & ANATII -    WE AINT LEAVING	13E
KHULI CHANA    -    HAZZADAZMOVE	13F
MOST GIFTED VIDEO OF THE YEAR
AKA    -    JEALOUSY	14A
MAFIKIZOLO    -    KHONA	14B
STL    -    STELLA STELLA STELLA	14C
P SQUARE    -    ALINGO	14D
FUSE ODG FT WYCLEF JEAN    -    ANTENNA	14E
XTATIC/AKA & PRIDDY UGLY    -    HIT 'EM UP	14F
ZEUS FT AKA & TUMI -  #DatsWasup	14G
WIZKID    -    AZONTO	14H
PAUL G FT FABULOUS   -   GET CONTROL	14I
REASON    -    DO IT LIKE I CAN	14J
R2BEES    -    LIFE (WALAAHI)	14K
ICE PRINCE    -    ABOKI	14L

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