It’s that time of year again when Tonight chooses the best and worst in South African music. And, as usual, we strike a balance between the humourous and the serious.
Internationally, SA music has taken giant leaps. Not since Hugh Masekela et al went into exile have we enjoyed such recognition on the international stage. Leading the way is Die Antwoord. With more than 3.5 million hits on YouTube, they were scooped up by Interscope, one of the most recognised hip hop labels in the world. Since then, they have played almost every major festival in the world. They also won most popular video on MySpace for 2010 for Enter the Ninja.
Locnville also signed a major international deal and have been scarce on our shores since then. Jack Parow, Goldfish, The Parlotones, Tumi and the Volume, EJ Von Lyrik, Prime Circle, Blk Jks and Simpiwe Dana have all enjoyed success on the live music scene across Europe. And 2011 is sure to get better for our musicians.
Most Testosterone Song:
Dubula 2.0 by Slikour and Kabelo. The track is featured on Slikour’s Ventilation Mixtape Volume Three. The rapper took Dubula, which was already so masculine, deconstructed it, gave it to Kabelo for a little more flavour and came out with one of the strongest tracks of 2010. Love it!
Soccer Song of The Year:
Obviously JR’s Make the Circle Bigger. It crossed all boundaries and has become part of our lexicon. When Vodacom used it as their official world cup song, it officially kicked official sponsor MTN’s ass in the World Cup advertising campaign.
Please Don’t Ever Make An
Album Again Ever Award:
This is a tie between the tiresome and over exposed Jen Sue with her bad pseudo American accent and Khanyisile Mbau. Like really, just cos you two are somewhat pretty and stuff doesn’t make you musical. Stick to what you do best: looking good for the photographers. Oh and Ms Mbau, Bongani Fassie is still waiting for you to pay him for the tracks he made for you.
Tjop of the Year Award
Again it’s a tie. This time between Live presenter Sizwe Dlomo and Jub Jub. Sizwe wins for a bad attempt at journalism when he showed an interview with Zola dissing his former record company, Ghetto Ruff. Sizwe, in an apparent stupid moment, did not bother asking for a reply from a Ghetto Ruff representative. Now that’s what happens when production companies give free rein to a winner of a talent search. Jub Jub gets Tjop of the Year for behaving so very badly after he was involved in an accident killing four children. Alleged comments thrown around to his buddies afterwards showed him up as a remorseless upstart. Shame on you, Jub Jub, shame on you.
Most Famous Meal of the Year
When Ju Ju bought Jub Jub a Nandos on the rapper’s first night of incarceration.
Wow, with names like those I feel like we’re living in a macabre Disneyland nightmare. Goo goo ga ga boo boo anyone?
Best Newcomer
Miza. Oh what a sweetie, this man is. He’s rather sexy too. And he is responsible for the most irritating song of 2010, Superhero, featuring the very sexy Flabba.
Best Performance
Tira and the big Zulu men from Durban – Big Nuz, L’Vovo and the delicious Fisherman. The collaborative show is tight, well thought out and very entertaining.
Most Cringe Moment
It was going to be when Big Nuz won three awards at the MTN Samas and Tira repeatedly thanked the KZN government ad nauseum. But then Top Billing’s Jeannie D ran on stage during a performance by the Springbok Nude Girls at Rocking the Daisies in Cape Town. We were mortified when Arno Carstens didn’t push the dilly girl off the stage. He hugged her instead. Then she bowed and blew kisses at the crowd as if anyone there actually thinks she’s cool. It’s going to be a while before that cringeworthy moment is topped. Stick to reading cue cards, Jeannie D. Please.
Artist of the Year
Jack Parow’s album, the artwork, his lyrics, his honesty, his humour, his beats – not many could top him this year. He made us feel really cool about being South African in the most South African way. But 2010 belongs to Black Coffee. After years of working in the industry, Black Coffee finally got the critical and public recognition he deserves. He also dominated award ceremonies and is considered one of the top house DJs on the international dance scene. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer person.
Babes of the Year
Oh dear, how could we not give this to Locnville? They are the prettiest boys ever. And the nicest. Plus there are two of them. Ooh, and their Disney good looks prompt us to think bad things. Very bad.
Best Video
There is obviously TKZee and Kabelo’s arms in Dikakapa. The black and white video gives the three of them street cred with Tokollo looking like the rebellious street child he is and Zwai portrayed as the sophisticated talent he is.
Dance Like by Jozi is also a great video with great technology and humour behind it. Another tie.
Album of the Year
Get Busy Living by Goldfish. It took a while to get into the album because we were expecting something a bit more experimental. But the penny dropped when we realised that every track is a perfectly crafted pop song with strong melody and great lyrics. Plus they make it look so easy.
Song of the Year
Professor’s Jezebel is so hot right now, Make the Circle Bigger was huge during the World Cup but we have decided to give this award to Goldfish for their title track. Get Busy Living is so uplifting, such fun, so sweet and imaginative. It always puts a smile on our face. - Tonight