Posted by By TOSIN AJIRIRE on
A total of 70 artistes from 10 different countries have made the list of nominees in this year's Channel O African Music Video Awards.
A total of 70 artistes from 10 different countries have made the list of nominees in this year's Channel O African Music Video Awards.
In hot contention are 2Face Idibia, who is nominated for three award categories. 2Face, winner in last year's edition of the award with his 'African Queen" track, is joined by Dare Art Alade who also has three nominations.
Other Nigerian artistes on the list include Lagbaja, Dbanj, Weird MC, Ike Chukwu, Benz Man, Mba Abe Solo, Silver Saddih and Mode 9.
But topping the nominations with four nods each are Didge and Lizha James from Kenya and Mozambique respectively. Hot on their heels are South Africa's Freshlyground and Simphiwe Dana with three nominations each.
Now in its third year, the Channel O Award is unique in that videos are voted for by viewers, giving fans complete control over who receives an award. Criteria used for short-listing include technical quality, frequency of requests for a video on the different Channel O shows and overall creativity. To be nominated for award, the videos must have been released between January 2005 and May 2006 and should have received airplay on Channel O.
Channel O General Manager Yolisa Phahle is sure that the nominations reflect the diverse and growing music industry in the continent. 'We are seeing videos of increasingly high quality and this is a direct reflection of the industry's growth", she says. 'At Channel O, we look to strike a balance between promoting the up and coming big names of tomorrow alongside established artists. This year some of the newer names are also producing outstanding music and high quality videos".
According to Segun Fayose, Public Relations Manager of MultiChoice Nigeria, DStv viewers and music fans all over the African continent will be able to vote for their favourite artistes by sending text messages or voting online. Voting starts on Friday August 25 until Friday October 6. Viewers can vote in each category by logging on to www.channelo.co.za to vote, or SMS +27 (0)83 920 8400. To vote via SMS, enter the category name, a space and then the artiste's name. Nigerian viewers will be able to vote locally via sms on 33351. All sms are charged at international call rates.