Zimbabwe: Entries open for Masvingo Music Awards

The awards only accept entries from musicians who come from Masvingo Province. Artists should submit content that was made between 2016 and 2017 and organisers will start accepting entries on Friday, 24 February. Submissions will close on 10 March.

Speaking to Music In Africa, Pride Masekesa, who co-owns the awards with his twin brother Proud, said  MMA would introduce four new categories this year: Best Promoter, People's Choice Award, Most Entrepreneurial Artist and Most Disciplined Artist.

Commenting on the awards’ achievements since their inception, Masekesa said the awards had shown much progress.

“Our attendance numbers are doubling each year and we have overspills, so we encourage people to buy tickets in advance,” he said. “Our winning categories are also increasing yearly, incorporating new genres. However, our sponsorship and partners are still too small so our funding is low."

Masekesa said they were still compiling a list of local artist who would perform at the awards ceremony. “Local artists such as Alchemy, Nash and Baba Rah will be performing at the event. Big local names like Ra's Caleb are among the influential artists who are yet to confirm.”

Masekesa said the awards were founded to increase cultural awareness in the province.

“We are trying to promote our local artists, local culture, artist recognition and encourage competitiveness in production and quality of the music industry in the cultural city of Masvingo,” he said.

This year, the Masvingo Music Awards will be hosted by Charles Muganasa, a National Arts Merit Awards-nominated actor and producer. Fellow actor Florenco Masekesa will co-host the event.

Some of the artists who have won in previous editions include the late Paul Matavire, Jonah Moyo, Noble Styles Chenai, Nash, Afro group duo Alchemy, Okoye Swagmore, HD and Sydney Taivavashe.

Here is the full list of this year's categories:

• Best New Artist
• Best Gospel Artist
• Best Dancehall Artist
• Best Dancehall Single
• Best Afro-pop Artist
• Best Hip Hop Artist
• Best Hip Hop Single
• Best Collaboration
• Best DJ
• Best Jazz/Roots Artist
• Best Music Video
• Best Video Producer
• Best Music Producer
• Best R&B/ Urban Groove Artist
• Best Stage Performance
• Lifetime Achievement Award
• Artist of the Year
• Best Promoter
• People's Choice Award
• Most Entrepreneurial Artist
• Most Disciplined Artist