Upsets aplenty at Metro Awards

No crystal ball could have foretold the final results at the Metro FM Music Awards, held in Durban at the International Convention Centre last night.

The nominations prior to the awards illustrated that South African hip hop was the favourable music genre in 2014.

This explains why rappers like Cassper Nyovest, AKA and KO were deemed to be the highlights of the night and yet they suffered a lot of upsets.

Nyovest had an incredible seven nominations but he only walked home with three – best hit single (Doc Shebeleza), best male and best hip hop (for the album Tsholofelo).

His arch-nemesis, AKA, also had a solid six nominations but he only walked away with one in the best collaboration for All Eyes On Me. He also partially won another one in the Best Remix, where he is featured on Duncan’s Tsiki Tsiki alongside Professor and Mampitsha.

KO had the worst experience walking away empty-handed after getting an amazing five nominations for his album Skhanda Republic. This is the same album with the hit Caracara that is believed to be one of those songs that changed the local rap scene.

KO’s failure to get anything is reminiscent of the past Metro FM Awards where the likes of Kabomo Vilakazi and Unathi had high nominations and nothing to show for it on awards nights. Yet, for KO it is almost a trend because he was also a top contender at last year’s Channel O Music Video Awards.

While the men were not having the night of their life, female musicians shone. Naima Kay is one of them, as she emerged as best female in a tightly contested category that included Bucie, Unathi, Lulu Dikana and Monea.

Another example is Wanda Baloyi, who won best urban jazz against talented musicians like Jonathan Butler, Mpumi Dhlamini and Kyle Shepherd.

Acapella outfit The Soil had a good night sweeping two awards in the best duo/group and the best produced album for their sophomore project, Nostalgic Moments.

On a melancholic note, late Metro FM legend Eddie Zondi was posthumously awarded the special recognition award while Tsepo Tshola and Mahotella Queens were honoured with lifetime achievement awards.

The show was hosted by Metro FM’s own Tbo Touch and TV personality Minnie Dlamini and it was beamed live on SABC.

Several musicians came to perform including Sifiso Mcwane, Brian Temba, Sibongile Mngoma, Moneoa, DJ Clock, Beatenberg, KO, HHP, DJ Marlon and Mondli Ngcobo.

MMA14 Winners’ List

Best African Pop: Afrotraction (For The Lovers)

Best Remix: Duncan ft. AKA, Professor, Mampinstha (Tsiki Tsiki Remix)

Best Collaboration: AKA ft. Burna Boy, Da Les and JR (All Eyes On Me)

Best Compilation: House Afrika (Sessions 5)

Best Dance: Nastee Nev (0808 Sweetsoul)

Best Duo/Group: The Soil (Nostalgic Moments)

Best Female: Naima Kay (Ngiyavuma)

Best Hip Hop: Cassper Nyovest (Tsholofelo)

Best Hit Single: Cassper Nyovest (Doc Shebeleza)

Best Kwaito: Lvovo Derrango (The Boss)

Best Male: Cassper Nyovest (Tsholofelo)