By Therese Owen
The 13th annual Metro FM Awards were an absolute blast except for one issue. The big one was the fact that when they did the kwaito tribute which was fitting for there theme of celebrating twenty years of the beat, they left one person out.
There was Trompies, there was Professor, there was Zola, there was TKZee’s Magesh, all performing bits of our favourite songs. The songs were appropriately slung together with Skeem’s Waar Was Jy. For those not in the kwaito loop the song pays tribute to previous iconic hits and asks where were you when they were big. For this show after every artist came out it was linked by Waar Was Jy. The travesty of justice was that Ishmael was sitting in the audience and was not on stage. In fact, he did not even know about the kwaito tribute. I know this because I was flew with him to Durban. He said he was invited but was not performing. It is absolutely disgusting that a kwaito tribute where the artist who’s voice links the entire concept is sitting in the audience dumbfounded. Metro FM should send a formal apology to Ishmael and the surving members of Skeem for their disrespect. This is a person’s career and his life. Fact: Ishmael is the only artist to have played all four presidential inaugurations – Prophets of Da City, Skeem, as a solo performer and finally with Jozi. When I bumped into him back at the hotel he looked so hurt. Not nice, Metro FM, not nice.
The young Kwesta, in accepting Best Hip Hop thanked Amu, Skeem and POC.
Otherwise the show was great. Their was a moving tribute to Nelson Mandela which was introduced with Skwatta Kamp’s Moyo followed by various artists paying tribute to him with a rousing rendition of Zahara and a choir doing her tribute song to Madiba.
Presenters were the overexposed Pearl Thusi who honestly sounds like she strings random words together and then tries to give them authenticity by emphasing them with earnesty and a bit of flirtation. Phat Joe was the other MC and as per usual did a great job. He introduced the show by asking if you love Nelson Mandel make some noise. The request was greeted by an emotional standing ovation.
Oskido and Robbie Malinga were both given lifetime achievement and both are still absolute rock stars – Robbie in sunglasses and Oskido in black leather. Oskido in his acceptance speech mentioned that 20 years ago Metro wouldn’t play his music. He also thanked Lance Stehr, Peter Makoba and the ANC Youth Leage.
The wannabe American DJ – T’bo Touch also rocked some leather gear, but just like his drivetime show, he tried to hard. Flop.
It is clearly election year with a few politicians presenting prizes and giving speeches. Not rock n roll – just the SABC paying their dues to their masters who pay them.
Another standing ovation went to Rob Byrne – the voice behind SABC’s traffic. It was the first time he appeared in public and people went crazy.
Danny K, when receiving his award for Best R&B, announced that his wife, Lisa Gundelfinger was five months pregnant. She was one of the hottest on the black carpet and there was no ways one could tell.
Kalawa Jazmee cleaned up yet again with awards going not only to Oskido but also to Uhuru and Mafikizolo. Great stuff and well done to everyone who won and performed. Metro FM owned Durban this weekend.