Nigerian rapper Falz wins movie award

Nigerian rapper Falz, who has posted several comic skits online and whose sophomore album Stories that Touch received enthusiastic notices around the country, won the award for Best Actor in a Comedy (Movie/TV Series). Speaking about the nomination before the awards, he said, “Acting is something I’m going to continue so I’m happy about it.” After the win, he posted a photo of his trophy on social, thanking the “entire cast and crew” of ‘Jenifa’s Diary,’ the show for which he was nominated.

The award will come as a thing of pride to the rapper, having been shut out of winning an award at the 2015 Headies where he was nominated for Best Street Hop. It may bring up matters concerning his comic act. It may also bring up the old question as to which of the industries he really does belong to, as his comic skits came mid-career and was initially seen as a way of getting attention for his music. In an interview from last year, he answered that particular question, saying he was fine with both.

“My brand,” he said at the time, “is that of an all-round entertainer. I’m an artiste, a musician primarily but an entertainer as a whole. People often miss it...”

Unlike some award ceremonies around the world, the AMVCA does not have an award for Best Original Song but musicians are invited. Last year the dancing twins P-Square closed the show. This year South African singer Zonke Dikana performance was praised and 'Faaji Agba', a documentary about aging musicians won the Best Documentary award. Tanzania's Ali Kiba and Nigeria's Yemi Alade also performed. But the night, with regards to music, was owned by Nigerian singer Flavour, whose album Thankful was a highlight of 2015.

The highlife musician’s performance received high praise across social media, with female users trumpeting his appeal.