The awards' aim reinforces Moshito's vision, which is to broaden the business intelligence of music industry professionals locally and throughout the African continent, and therefore strengthening business networks for participants and informing delegates, traders and the public about the multifaceted and dynamic nature of the global music industry.
"It is exhilarating to witness the art of music in South Africa continually being elevated to greater heights," says King Phatudi-Mphahlele, chairperson of Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition. "We are thoroughly impressed to note that so many of our music industry's young people have been nominated in esteemed categories such as Best Producer and Engineer. We also hope to see our peers at Moshito 2012, which will take place in September in Johannesburg's Newtown District," he adds.
A frontrunner is Zahara, who has garnered seven nominations for her album Loliwe. She is closely followed by Mi Casa, who has been nominated five times for their debut album Mi Casa Music. KwaZulu-Natal's newcomer Zakwe, has also been nominated five times for his self-titled debut album, but it will also have to compete with Zonke's Ina Ethe, which is up for three awards, along with Ladysmith Black Mambazo's Songs From The Farms. Not to be outdone, Cape Town's Goodluck also cracked three nods for their self-titled album.
The Shadowclub's Guns and Money, the Charl du Plessis Trio's Shangai Brunch and Jimmy Dludlu's Tonota also form part of the prolific artists and offerings, proving that South Africa is bursting at the seams with an array of music styles and genres that cater for everyone.
