HARARE - Jah Prayzah, who broke National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) records in Bulawayo last year after claiming an impressive haul of four awards, has conceded that the going will be tougher for him this time around.
The Uzumba-born musician has been nominated in just two categories where he is facing stiff competition.
Jah Prayzah, born Mukudzei Mukombe, has been nominated in the Outstanding Song category for the song Kumbumura Mhute where he is competing with Killer T’s Popopopo off the album Tirikumhanya and Tocky Vibes’ Mhai off the album Mhai Singles Collection.
Jah Prayzah’s latest album Kumbumura Mhute is in contention for the Outstanding Album Award alongside Tocky Vibes’ Mhai Singles Collection and Suluman Chimbetu’s Gunship.
While delighted to be nominated once more, Jah Prayzah acknowledged the calibre of the musicians he will be up against on Valentine’s Day at 7 Arts Theatre where this edition of Nama will be held was high.
“This time around mudariro mune mamonya pakaipa but zvabuda musarudzo ndozvatinotambira. (There is stiff competition this time around, but I will accept the decisions of the Nama judges),” said the Tsviriyo singer.
The award-winning musician added that being nominated is a victory in itself.
“I appreciate just to be nominated, winning is a bonus. I value being nominated a lot because we have so many impressive musicians in Zimbabwe who are good enough to win awards,” he said.
In Bulawayo last year, Jah Prayzah claimed gongs in the Outstanding Male Musician, Outstanding Album, Outstanding Song and People’s Choice categories.
He also walked away with $2 000 for the four-award haul.
This year’s Nama is dominated by rising dancehall artiste Tocky Vibes who received three nominations.
The youthful musician has been nominated in the Outstanding Male Musician, Outstanding Song and Outstanding Album categories.
For the Outstanding Male Musician Award, Tocky Vibes will square off against Suluman Chimbetu and fellow chanter Shinsoman.
In the Outstanding Song category the Rugare-based artiste’s Mhai will battle it out with Jah Prayzah’s Kumbumura Mhute and Killer T’s Popopopo.
Tumbuka Dance Company has also underlined its dominance in the dance industry by claiming three nominations.
Tumbuka members Stanley Wasili and McIntosh Jerahuni are in contention for the Outstanding Male Dancer award while Maylene Chenjerai is in the running for the Outstanding Female Dancer gong.
In the Outstanding Print Journalist category, Daily News’ Sharon Muguwu will compete against Garikai Mazara (The Sunday Mail) and Tinashe Muchuri (Parade).
The nominations released yesterday are for nine categories which are Dance, Film and Television, Literary Arts, Media, Music, Promoter, Spoken Word, Theatre and Visual Arts.
There are also special awards in the following categories: Arts Service Award, Arts Personality Award and People’s Choice Awards.
Catherine Mthombeni, the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe publicist, said in a statement that a new category — The Lifetime Achievement Award — has been added this year.
The Uzumba-born musician has been nominated in just two categories where he is facing stiff competition.
Jah Prayzah, born Mukudzei Mukombe, has been nominated in the Outstanding Song category for the song Kumbumura Mhute where he is competing with Killer T’s Popopopo off the album Tirikumhanya and Tocky Vibes’ Mhai off the album Mhai Singles Collection.
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| Jah Prayzah braces for tough Nama |
While delighted to be nominated once more, Jah Prayzah acknowledged the calibre of the musicians he will be up against on Valentine’s Day at 7 Arts Theatre where this edition of Nama will be held was high.
“This time around mudariro mune mamonya pakaipa but zvabuda musarudzo ndozvatinotambira. (There is stiff competition this time around, but I will accept the decisions of the Nama judges),” said the Tsviriyo singer.
The award-winning musician added that being nominated is a victory in itself.
“I appreciate just to be nominated, winning is a bonus. I value being nominated a lot because we have so many impressive musicians in Zimbabwe who are good enough to win awards,” he said.
In Bulawayo last year, Jah Prayzah claimed gongs in the Outstanding Male Musician, Outstanding Album, Outstanding Song and People’s Choice categories.
He also walked away with $2 000 for the four-award haul.
This year’s Nama is dominated by rising dancehall artiste Tocky Vibes who received three nominations.
The youthful musician has been nominated in the Outstanding Male Musician, Outstanding Song and Outstanding Album categories.
For the Outstanding Male Musician Award, Tocky Vibes will square off against Suluman Chimbetu and fellow chanter Shinsoman.
In the Outstanding Song category the Rugare-based artiste’s Mhai will battle it out with Jah Prayzah’s Kumbumura Mhute and Killer T’s Popopopo.
Tumbuka Dance Company has also underlined its dominance in the dance industry by claiming three nominations.
Tumbuka members Stanley Wasili and McIntosh Jerahuni are in contention for the Outstanding Male Dancer award while Maylene Chenjerai is in the running for the Outstanding Female Dancer gong.
In the Outstanding Print Journalist category, Daily News’ Sharon Muguwu will compete against Garikai Mazara (The Sunday Mail) and Tinashe Muchuri (Parade).
The nominations released yesterday are for nine categories which are Dance, Film and Television, Literary Arts, Media, Music, Promoter, Spoken Word, Theatre and Visual Arts.
There are also special awards in the following categories: Arts Service Award, Arts Personality Award and People’s Choice Awards.
Catherine Mthombeni, the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe publicist, said in a statement that a new category — The Lifetime Achievement Award — has been added this year.
