At the launch event at Movida in Sunninghill on 8 October, it was announced that kwaito group Rhythmic Elements, which have been rocking airwaves and dancefloors around the country with its hit 2 By 2, had scooped four MMA nominations. Incidentally, the duo hails from Tshwane, so their hometown will no doubt be rooting for them, come November.
Another musical pairing, the Jaziel Brothers, share the spoils as frontrunners, also scoring four nods. The two brothers in this Jozi-based Afro-pop outfit have been operating behind the scenes as vocalists and producers for a while, but have now burst into the limelight with their debut album, The Beginning, and single Ngeke Ndiphinde.
These two sizzling acts are battling it out for top honours in the always hotly contested Song of the Year category, alongside DJ Vetkuk vs Mahoota, Jub Jub and Big Nuz.
This year, three new categories have been added, bringing the tally to 18. One of these is for Hit Single of the Year, rewarding a smash hit that is not necessarily tied to an album. Here, Bliksem's How Low Can You Go, Slikour's Umsindo, Smallz's Money Maker, Kwela Tebza and MXO's King Kwela, and Kelly Khumalo's Siyajabula are in the running.
Another new category is for Best Collaboration, and the debut batch of contenders are HHP, Black Coffee featuring Siphokazi, Big Nuz, Bliksem featuring Crazy Boy, and Kwela Tebza and MXO.
Other artists and groups chalking up multiple nods this year include Loyiso Bala, Mimi, DJ Vetkuk vs Mahoota, Judith Sephuma, Big Nuz, Danny K, Fistaz Mixwell and Unathi Nkayi, with three nominations apiece.
An independent judging panel has kicked off the process by selecting five nominees from a list of artists supplied by the various record companies. Now, members of the public have until Wednesday 22 October to vote for their top three finalists via SMS. Once the top trio has been identified in each category the race is on for supremacy, as music lovers once again flex their thumbs and vote for the winners.
Awards media partner City Press are sponsoring the following categories: Best Male, Best Female and Best Newcomer of the Year.
Last year, Port Elizabeth partied up a storm when L'vovo was crowned a double winner, for Best Kwaito Album and Song of the Year, while Afro-soul songstress Siphokazi scooped three trophies for her Ubuntu Bam album.
Go to www.metrofm.co.za for more information.
