With the Metro Awards happening this week, one would think there would be more of a buzz going on, especially this year with the awards ceremony being opened to the public.
Occasional adverts on the station plug the different categories and announce nominations, but Metro FM has failed to hype the event and people are not talking about it. Fans are not excited about the awards, which should concern Metro if it hopes to sell any of the R150 tickets.
Nonetheless, the awards will take place this Friday night, November 29, at Helderfontein Estate, Lonehill.
The 12-week nomination and election campaign began on September 9. The first six weeks were dedicated to nominations for the different categories, starting with the best male and best female vocalists. Best group and best kwaito came next, then best jazz, best gospel, best R&B, best African pop, best newcomer and best club DJ. Last were song of the year and best album of the year. The top three nominees in each category went through to the final round.
Mandoza walked away with five awards in 2000, becoming a hit across racial lines. Zola picked up three awards last year: best kwaito, song of the year and album of the year.
Mapaputsi looks good for this year. He goes up against the king of kwaito, Arthur Mofokate, and Kabelo (also known as Bouga Love) in the best kwaito category. For song of the year he faces Brothers of Peace and Trompies. It’s no surprise that Mapaputsi was disqualified from the newcomer category. He’s been in the music industry for the past seven years and released a CD in 1997 called Velu Vaye.
Jae competes with the former Crowded Crew member KB and Gommora for best newcomer.
Mandoza, who won the song of the year category in 2000, is up against the two boys from TKZee, Tokollo and Kabelo, for this year’s best male vocalist award.
Brenda Fassie should shine this year as best female vocalist. The other two finalists in this category are jazz artist Judith Sephuma and Boom Shaka’s Thembi Seete.
TKZee and Bongo Maffin have already won the best group category in previous years. Brothers of Peace should be the clear winner this year. Trompies and Alaska lack creativity and haven’t adjusted their style to the new cosmopolitan sound.
Will Jimmy Dludlu win the jazz category for the third time? This year he faces competition from Sephuma and Selaelo Selota.
It’s strange that Metro FM has a gospel category. It probably saves gospel music for Sunday mornings, when most people are asleep or at church. Rebecca is up against Lundi and Sharon D.
This year’s R&B award should go to KB. Her adversaries in this category are Jae and previous winner Loyiso.
Big guns Ringo, Brenda Fassie and Ihashe Elimhlope face each other in the best African pop category.
Two house DJs compete with a hip-hop DJ in the best club DJ category. Chances are that Ready D has no chance because there is no hip-hop category, so the award will probably go to Metro FM DJ Glen Lewis, though George and Joseph of Revolution are probably better DJs.
The Metro FM Awards take place at Helderfontein Estate in Lonehill, Johannesburg, on Friday November 29. Tickets are R150 (R200 for a double ticket) at the SABC in Auckland Park. For more information call Tel: 714 4176/5800 or see www.metrofm.co.za