Diamond and Ali Kiba lead nominations for Kili Music Awards

Unsurprisingly, Diamond Platnumz leads the list with 10 nominations – seven as an individual and the remaining three for his collaborations. Ali Kiba follows with seven nominations (six individual and one collab). Other artists with several nominations are Jux, Lady Jaydee, Isha Mashauzi and Khadija Kopa.

Pamela Kikuli, managing director of Kilimanjaro Breweries, said the academy had a difficult time arriving at the final list as voted for by the public when they met last week. “The exercise leading up to the final nominees lasted for up to 18 hours, which shows how dedicated and commited the academy was to the whole process,” she said.

Kilimanjaro Breweries has invested over one billion Tanzanian Shillings (about US$460 000) into this event. Earlier, while unveiling the 2015 edition of the KTMA, Kikuli said: “Kilimanjaro Premium Lager as a beer for all Tanzanians, is commited to the promotion of the best in entertainment and opening up spaces for Tanzanians to nurture and showcase their talent. This is evident in the large sum of money the company has set aside for this purpose and the inclusion of experts from various industry stake-holders in the exercise in order to make it better and bigger year after year.”

The nominees for the 2015 KTMAs include:

Best Entertainer of the Year (Male):

• Mzee Yussuf
• Christian Bella
• Diamond Platinumz 
• Ali Kiba
• Nyoshi El Saddat

Best Artist (Female):

• Vanessa Mdee
• Khadija Kopa
• Isha Mwashauzi
• Shaa 
• Dayna Nyange

Taarab Singer of the Year: 

• Mzee Yussuf 
• Prince Amigo 
• Hassan Vocha 
• Hassan Ally
• Mussa Kijoti 

Best Taarab Artist (Female): 

• Khadija Kopa
• Isha Mashauzi 
• Hadija Yussuf
• Leiyla Rashid
• Fatuma Nyoro 

Top Artist (Band): 

• Jose Mara
• Kalala Junior
• Khalidi Chokoraa 
• Chaz Baba 
• Nyoshi El Saddat

Best Artiste (Bongo Flava):

• Ali Kiba 
• Ben Pol 
• Jux 
• Diamond 
• Belle 9

Best Female Artist (Bongo Flava):

• Lady Jay Dee
• Vanessa Mdee 
• Linah
• Grace Matata
• Malaika

Best Taarab Song:

• ‘Hasidi Hana Sababu’ - Hadija Yussuf
• ‘Lady With Confidence’ - Khadija Kopa 
• ‘Chozi la Mama’ - Mzee Yussuf
• ‘Fanya Yako’ - Leyla Rashid
• ‘Mapenzi Hayana Dhamana’ - Isha Mashauzi

Best Song of the Year:

• ‘Mwana’ - Ali Kiba 
• ‘Nani Kama Mama’ - Christian Bella ft. Ommy Dimpoz 
• ‘Gere’ - Weusi
• ‘Nitasubiri' - Jux 
• ‘Bongo Hip-hop’ - Fid Q

The nomination process was overseen by Auditax International to make it open and credible. Public voting commenced via SMS, Whatsapp and the KTMA website on 5 May and closed on 5 June. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in Dar es Salaam on 13 June.