Malawi: 2019 UMP Awards begin nomination process

The awards' organisers had called off the 2019 edition due to an ongoing review process but later decided to feature the main music categories as part of the event's fashion awards.

The entries will be compiled by a nomination committee comprising individuals from local print and electronic media, live venues and music festivals, among others. The final results will be collated by the UMP executive committee and an external auditor.

UMP CEO Ken Limwame told Music In Africa that the organisers did not want to do away with the music awards in their entirety, as they were confident that they would make their full return in the future.

"We only have six categories in this blended edition compared to the traditional 20 categories," he said. “We are having a nominations party and media awards event in Lilongwe this month end, two weeks before the event. There we will announce both the fashion and music nominations.”

Below are this year's award categories:

Music

• Artist of the Year
• Song of the Year
• Music Video of the Year
• Best Duo/Group
• Producer of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement

Fashion

• Fashion Designer of the Year
• Model of the Year
• Best New Fashion Designer
• Fashion Icon of the Year
• Most Fashionable Celebrity
• Living Legend