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The nominees for the 19th edition for the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) are out and the nominees are;

1. SPOKEN WORD AWARDS

Outstanding Poet

Tanaka Effort Chuma
Sithembile Siqhoza Ndebele aka Zingizwanizinja
Tatenda Murigo

Outstanding Comedian

Learnmore Mwanyenyeka aka Long John
Hubert Dumisani Ndlovu aka MaForty
Andrew Manyika

2. LITERARY ARTS AWARDS

Outstanding First Creative Published Book

Hatiponi by Oscar Gwiriri [Progressive Booksellers & Publishers]
A People’s Fight by Fradreck Hombiro [Hombiro Media Company]
Nharo Dzemusango by Chenjerai Mazambani [Bhabhu Books]

Special Mention

Ensukwini Zalamhla by Onesimo Mpofu [Onesimo Mpofu]

Outstanding Children’s Book

Songs of the Little Creatures by Phumulani Chipandambira [Chipandambira Archives]
Chitima Nditakure by Oscar Gwiriri [Progressive Booksellers & Publishers]
Kuku Wins the President’s Clean Environment Award by Aleck Kaposa [Essential Books Publishing Company]

Outstanding Fiction Book

Shasha Dzokurera by Marcilyn Mugariri [Marcilyn Mugariri]
Chasing the Wind by Phillip Chidavaenzi [Royalty Books]
Out of Darkness, Shining Light by Petina Gappah [Scribner]

Outstanding Poetry Book

Rhyme and Resistance by Stanley Mushava [Underclass books and Films]
Under My Skin by Prince Rayanne Chidzvondo [Prince Rayane Chidzvondo]
Agringanda Like a Gringa Like a Foreigner by Tariro Ndoro [Modjaji Books]

Special Mention

Nhambetambe by Phumulani Chipandamira [Chipandambira Archive]

3. THEATRE AWARDS

Outstanding Actor

Ronald Madodana Sigeca in Imbokodo
Anthony Mazhetese in The Gang Leader
Ngonidzashe Chikowore in Inside out
Liberty Mwenje Mthole in Inside out

Outstanding Actress

Davina Green in The Gang leader
Charmaine Mudau in Imbokodo
Agnes Ncube in Imbokodo

Outstanding Theatrical Production

The Gang Leader by Zim Theatre Academy
Bongile by Chiedza Makwara
Imbokodo by Nhimbe Trust

Outstanding Director

Yeukai Yvonne Chandiposha of Bongile
Teddy Mangawa of Gang Leader
Norbert Makoche of Imbokodo

4. DANCE AWARDS

Outstanding Female Dancer

Michelle Msopero in Sobahle
Lynsey Nyamakwenje in Infinite Possibilities
Dadirai Mupandawana in Ezimnyama Dance Group

Outstanding Male Dancer

Tawanda Tanaka Fireyi in My journey to the International Scene
Tichaona Chikara in Hero’s +
Selemani Mpochi aka Majuice in Ochestra Mberikwazvo

Outstanding Dance Group

No nominees

Outstanding Choreographer

No nominee

5. VISUAL ARTS AWARDS

Outstanding 2 Dimensional Work

Cyclone Idai where is Mommy? by Calvin Chimutuwah
Revolutionary Freshness by Talent Kapadza
Focusing on Green Economy by Webster Mubayirenyi

Outstanding 3 Dimensional Work

My Sister Loves Me by Rufaro Murenza
Ancestral Family by Nichodimus T. Mutasa
Tribute to the mother of generations by Stanley Mutanga

Outstanding Mix Media Work

Kurima Hohwa by Victor Nyakauru
Distorted History by Anthony Bumhira
Rehab Queen by Calvin Chimutuwah

Outstanding Exhibition

Pieces for Peace, Pieces, Revolutionary Freshness by Talent Kapadza & Schuma Herscovitz
Purple Rhythm by Calvin and Prudence Chimutuwah
Engaging the 45th Year by Helen Leroys

6. FILM AND TELEVISION AWARDS

Outstanding Actress

Charmaine Mudau as Bonke in Another wedding
Antoinette Sango as Thandi in Mandla
Sarah Mpofu Sibanda as Thalitha in Home Affairs

Outstanding Actor

Godfrey Chivese as Mile in The Call
Brian Chitongo as Mandimutsa in Kuchina the Genesis
Percy Soko as Mandla in Mandla

Outstanding Music Video

Tichichema Produced by Edible Elevens ft. Ammara Brown
Sunshine City Produced by Kalai Faye Barlow ft. Flying Bantu
Kure (remix) Produced by Kudzai Maneswa ft. Ishan
Bless Produced by Kalai Faye Barlow ft Ammy and The Calamities

Outstanding Screen Production (Television Series)

Muzita Rababa Directed by Shem Zemura
Dudzai Directed by Farai Mungoshi
Mandla Directed by Solomon Mandaza

Special mention

Pink and Purple Directed by Mthabisi Onias Ndlovu

Outstanding Screen Production - Short Film

Redefining the Road Directed by Tapiwa Gambira
The Call Directed by Godfrey Chivese
Home Affairs Directed by Elton Sibanda

Outstanding Screen Production - Full Length Film

S’mbimbindo 3 Directed by Von Tavaziva
Stay with Me Directed by Nick Zemura
$400 Directed by Kudzai Chikomo

7. MEDIA AWARDS

Outstanding Journalist – Print

Kundai Marunya - Herald
Prince Tungamirai Mushawevato - Sunday Mail
Tafadzwa Kachiko - Newsday

Outstanding Journalist – Radio

Anesu Masamvu - ZiFM
Yvonne Tivatye - Star FM
Thulani Munyandu - National FM

Outstanding Journalist - Television

Patience Nyagato - ZBC
Alexio Gwenzi - ZBC
Masceline Bondamakara - ZBC

Outstanding Online Media

Zimcelebs
Zimbojam
Men on a Boat

8. MUSIC AWARDS

Outstanding Newcomer

Isheanesu Chigagura aka Ishan
Panganayi Hare
Ngonidzashe Dondo aka King 98

Outstanding Female Musician

Thamsanqa Moyo aka Tammy Moyo
Janet Manyowa
Ammara Brown

Outstanding Male Musician

Wallace Chirumiko aka Winky D
Darlington Katsetsa aka Mambo Dhuterere
Tinashe Gonzara aka Ti Gonzi

Outstanding Album

Uhuru by Willis Kachambwa aka Willis Wataffi
Dare Guru by Darlington Katsetsa aka Mambo Dhuterere
Gango by Energy Chizanga aka Freeman

Outstanding Song

Ngaibake by Freeman ft Alick Macheso
Kure by Ishan ft Ti Gonzi
Mugarden by Winky D ft Gemma Griffiths
Mweya Ndisesekedze by Mambo Dhuterere

9. SPECIAL AWARDS

Promoter of the Year

D & G Promotions
Big Scale Entertainment
Ngoma NeHosho

Artist in the Diaspora

Vusa Mkhaya
Tapfuma Charles Katedza aka Charlie Kay
Gemma Griffiths
Norah Chipaumire
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Koffee, winner of Best Reggae Album, poses in the press room during the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California 
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Since 1985, the Best Reggae Album category has been in inception. Each year, a man has taken home the gramophone, but 35 years later, a rising artist is here to make history. On Sunday (Jan. 26), Koffee won the title for her debut album, Rapture. Last year’s recipients were Sting & Shaggy for their 44/876 album.
“I’m very honored, I’m very happy and I’m satisfied, I would say,” the "W" singer says. “I put a lot of work into my first project and to see that it has been recognized on this level has really fulfilled me so I’m very thankful.”
In a previous interview with VIBE, Koffee shared her thoughts on being a woman musician in a male-dominated genre such as reggae. “I feel like it’s a big responsibility, and ‘to whom much is given, much is expected.’ So I don't look at it as, ‘Oh, I’ve made it.’ But I acknowledge that I’m in a position where I have a responsibility now to fulfill and to pull through. It just pushes me to work harder, make more things happen, and just keep it going.”

Source: Vibe
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Khama Billiat [Pic: Instagram]
Kaizer Chiefs soccer star Khama Billiat had his 23-year-old baby mama wailing, kicking and screaming for his attention after she tried to ambush him into taking the responsibility for his alleged son.

Sunday Sun reports that Khama Billiat was stabbed on the hand with a screw driver by his baby mama.

According to Whatsapp conversations seen by Sunday World, the two have been going back and forth since last July about DNA tests.

A source close to the woman said the mother requested police escort to take her to the player’s house. The source close to both player and the baby mama revealed that Billiat later took the mother of his nine-month-old to the Midrand police station where they exchanged a few words in front of a crowd that was at the cop shop for their own business.

These details were also confirmed by two police officials who witnessed the scuffle between the two. They said the woman was frustrated after she noted that instead of helping her, some officers, including the people who were at the station, asked to take selfies with Billiat.

“At first I did not notice that the lady was there with Billiat. It only became clear when she started shoving him in front of police while crying that I realised that she was with him,” said one of the police officers.

Another officer said the scuffle was only defused after Billiat agreed to pay for his child, but said the Chiefs player insisted that a DNA test was necessary because he had doubts that the child was his.

Speaking to Sunday World, the young woman said she was lured by Billiat to go to the police station to find a neutral place to conduct a DNA test. “I regret agreeing to go to the station. It was a disaster because everyone there was on his side. They wanted to take pictures with him.”

Billiat could not be reached for comment.

According to the mother, Billiat had been paying R8 000 a month for the upkeep of the child in the past four months. He had also paid R30 000 for baby preparation and rent during happier times. However, she said things changed and the soccer star stopped paying for the child and towards her rent.

Source: Sunday Sun
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, ,
Asaph

 There is no doubt that the year 2019 was a big year for the hip-hop genre in Zimbabwe.
Zim hip-hop artistes went from topping radio charts to dominating regional music television chart shows.
The year can be remembered as one when Ti Gonzi rose to his prime.
His verse on Ishan’s Kure made him the most sought-after hip-hop artiste in the country and he went on to do more than 25 collaborations throughout.
The rapper attracted new fans who had never been or were not hip-hop fans because of his musical appeal to the average youth in the ghetto.
His collaborations with Zimdancehall acts also cemented his position as one of the best artistes for 2019.
The year 2019 also saw Hillzy, one of the most talented hip-hop and RnB artistes top regional music chart-shows on television channels like Trace Africa and also being playlisted on Channel O.
The Muroora singer also won a top African award (AFRIMMA) for his song, TV Room, which he featured together with super-talented artiste, Garry Mapanzure.
King 98 dropped monster tracks and featured some of the top African artistes like Nigeria’s Davido and South Africa’s Nasty C on his maiden album, Francesca, and his hard work was rewarded through the awards he scooped.
Artistes like Asaph also had their fair share of brilliance when they dropped their projects and won awards.
However, there is one problem that has hindered progress or growth of the hip-hop genre and that is consistency.
Over the years, we have seen hip-hop artistes come and go. Some have topped radio charts and dropped monster tracks that would have made them untouchable, but they have all ended up sinking into oblivion.
Others have come with very promising careers, but after releasing only one hit song, you never hear of them again.
Just like any other genres which lack consistency, Zim hip-hop as a whole lacks consistency from music/video releases, award shows and even the media that push their works seem to lack consistency when it comes to promoting the genre.
We have had “old school” artistes such as Tehn Diamond, Jnr Brown, Tatea Da MC, mUnetsi and Maskiri, who could have changed the game for good, but what did they do?
They got a few airplay slots, signed a few corporate deals and now no one talks about them anymore unless it is a debate on who was or is the greatest MC or whatever they will be ranting about on social media.
New school artistes also seem to have contracted the “lack of consistency” virus from their predecessors.
When Takura came onto the scene, everyone was in awe, and people thought that they had found an artiste who would terrorise Africa because of his versatility, but one year on, people are now starting to enjoy his Instagram posts and stories more than his music.
I am not saying all these artistes are bad, but they are depriving us of the good music that they used to release, and thus they are lacking consistency.
The same also applies to the award shows. We have seen artistes do well throughout 365 days and be nominated for five or so awards, for instance, and you see them walking out with none.
This can also be linked to the issue of consistency among the hip-hop circles or maybe it is the decisions made by the adjudicators.
We have also seen artistes win awards and the next thing, they are nowhere to be found and some of them will be hiding under the “we are doing music for pleasure” and you will start to wonder where the industry is going.
Zim hip-hop bloggers, media and “touts” are also in the mix as they have also failed to properly push the culture.
We have seen some of them come and go as the artistes they will be pushing also fade.
These are people who are supposed to convince everyone that the genre is still alive and kicking, even though sometimes there will be nothing to talk about.
If one cannot be consistent, they can at least stay relevant so that people have something to talk about.
It is not a bad thing to be the most vocal on social media like what others are doing, at least the day you will decide to drop new music people will be quick to notice that you are back in the game.
Music trends are changing every year and our Zim hip-hop artistes should ride that wave, stay relevant, drop new music accompanied by videos, do more live shows, especially with live bands and not use backtracks.
That way, I am sure we will have an industry to talk about.
As the year 2020 starts, I am hoping for an industry in which the artistes compete head to head with their Zimdancehall counterparts.
Bill Gates once said content is king, and as a Zim hip-hop fan, I am urging all Zim hip-hop stakeholders to collaborate, stay relevant and be consistent.
Talk of the inimitable King Pin, born Tonderai Makoni, who left a huge mark on Zimbabwe’s hip-hop way before all these new breeds came onto the scene.
Death snatched him from us, but his works, which include I Salute You and The Inauguration among others, will always be on every hip-hop fan’s lips.
Read More »

Own Correspondent 

On the 25th of January Iconic Fest places their hat in the ring as far as promoting exceptional local hip hop talent is concerned.

The Iconic team has a videotapping of the Iconic Cyphers which will feature a host of talented rappers from in and around Zimbabwe showcasing their rap skills for an intimate audience while our camera crew documents the process for placement on the interwebs.

The event is a prelude to a much bigger event the first ever Zim edition of the Iconic Festival slated for Harare in April.


The Iconic Festival will feature perfomances by rappers established and upcoming (names to be released in due course) as well as dance and fashion.

Already we have partnered with renowned Dance Company Jibilika to navigate the intricacies of dance with other partners in various spheres of influence set to be announced soon.

The Team behind the event(s) include;

Chap Moreno - CEO and Director
Cynthia - PR
Keith Sawari & Mia Nichole Jayson - Photography and Videography
Rosebud - Model Grooming
Ally Sikangela - Inhouse writer
Trey - Music Scouting

Mandate
-Creating icons and superstars through the arts
- Introducing positive messaging in the arts
-Unearthing new talent
-Destroying misconceptions about art being 'zvechirombe'

Follow Us @IconicFest on Twitter and Facebook

Created by Dodger Zw for Iconic Festival
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