Namibia’s finest honoured at annual awards

After many years in the industry, Big Ben finally beat the likes of The Dogg and LMPC to be named Male Artist of the Year. Big Ben took to social media after the awards to celebrate his wins: “I am a happy customer right now. Four nominations and two grand wins. It’s a great feeling. Best Traditional Music and Best Male Artist of the Year. Thank you to you my fans who pays my bills by buying that CD and that concert ticket. Thanks to the companies that trust brand Big Ben in the same space as their precious brands.”

Although she did not win the Female Artist of the Year, the night definitely belonged to Ann Singer, who not only put up a performance that embodied the very essence of her stage name, she also scooped four out of the five awards she was nominated for.

The former girl group member turned solo artist Freeda was however not as lucky as she did not win a single award, although she received six nods for this year. On the bright side, the reunion of Gal Level saw Oteya and Freeda take their fans down memory lane. Dressed in all white, the duo looked every part the performers they are and definitely had viewers hoping a long−term reunion would occur.

Throwing it right back to almost a decade ago, having Mr Makoya, Damara Dik Ding and Thembiso on stage together had the crowd grooving along to Matongo Family hits.

Just when we thought the stage was taken over by ninjas from the ‘Last Samurai’, Gazza emerged in an Asian−inspired costume. A wonderful surprise was the feature of television star and model Maria Nepembe, who showed Namibia and Africa that she knows a couple of killer moves.

The Dogg added to the list of entertainers for the evening by performing his hit track ‘Shuukifa Kwii’, which won him Song of the Year. He also walked away with the Best House and Best Kwaito awards.

A teary and seemingly surprised Chikune accepted her award as the Female Artist of the Year with words of encouragement to women that they can do anything and everything they set their minds to.

Adding to his win from the previous night, NIA scooped the award for Best Rap and Hip-Hop, proving that he is slowly but surely taking over the game.

Rappers Paradox, consisting of Toufi and Cassidy, may have lost out the Rap/Hip−Hop award but they managed to walk away with the Best Collaboration trophy for teaming up with South African rapper Riky Rick. The award for Best Duo or Group went to Tswazis, who again did not disappoint when it was their turn to fire up the stage.

Pan−African Artist of the Year went to Roberto from Zambia, who blessed the audience with a performance of three of his songs.

One of the most competitive categories was Best Music Video, with KK and Desmond emerging victorious for ‘Already’.

All in all, the live acts were a combination of high energy, great vocals and entertainment. Apart from one of the hosts asking for a “lound of applause”, the blunders were minimal. With NAMAs 2016 done and dusted, we look forward to what the music industry has to offer for the rest of the year.

The full list of 2016 NAMA winners is as follows:

• Lifetime Achievement Award: The Original Jazz Masters
• Best Afrikaans: Christopher The Grand – ‘Kuier’
• Best Gospel: N.I.A – ‘Heavenly Father’ ft. Ponti
• Best Kizomba: Christopher The Grand – ‘Maria Nela’
• Best Song with a Message: KP Illest – ‘No One's Laughing’
• Best Reggae: Ras Sheehama - Nakambalu Reggae
• Best Shambo: Laviyalava - Makenyato
• Best Producer: Araffath Muhuure
• Best Single: VMSIX – ‘Nowhere’
• Radio Song of the Year: Gazza – ‘Oshimaliwa’
• Most Socially Responsible Artist of the Year: Lize Ehlers
• Most Disciplined Artist of the Year: D-Naff
• Best Live Performance of the Year: Lize Ehlers - Windhoek Jazz Festival
• Best Musical Event of the Year: Makurunganga - Katondo CD Launch
• Radio DJ of the Year: Belinda 'Miss Bee' Apollus
• Entertainment Journalist of the Year: Rinelda Mouton
• Best Album of the Year: Ann Singer - Bulletproof
• Best Male Artist of the Year: Big Ben - Back To The Basics
• Best Female Artist of the Year: Chikune - In With The New
• Best Duo/Group of the Year: Tswazis – Go Getter
• Best Newcomer of the Year: Ann Singer – Bulletproof
• Best Afro-Pop (incl. Township Disco): Ann Singer – ‘Diminengepo’
• Best Collaboration: Paradox – ‘Mr Well Done’ ft. Riky Rick
• Best Damara Punch: Female Donkey – ‘Choma’
• Best House: The Dogg – ‘The Kings’ ft. Speedy
• Best Kwaito: The Dogg – ‘Got It All’
• Best Music Video: KK & Desmond – ‘Already’
• Best Oviritje: Triple 'T' – ‘Maria’
• Best RnB: Ann Singer – ‘Bulletproof’
• Best Rap/Hip-Hop: N.I.A – ‘Better Dayz’ ft. Desmond
• Best Soukous/Kwasa: Ama-Daz-Floor – ‘True Colour’ ft. Dama Monique
• Best Traditional: Big Ben – ‘Ovombo’
• NAMA Special Recognition Award: Ndilima‎ni
• Song of the Year: The Dogg – ‘Shuukifa Kwii’
• Pan African Artist of the Year: Roberto (Zambia)

Originally published in The Namibian on 1 May 2016.