CHANNEL O MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS:

AND THE WINNERS ARE…

October 2008

Africa’s leading music channel CHANNEL O, available in over 40 countries on DStv, lived up to its promise of a bigger and better Channel O Music Video Awards at a glitzy awards ceremony that celebrated some of the biggest names in the music industry across the continent.

Hosted by Channel O VJs KB Ngakane and Nonhle Thema, the Channel O Music Video Awards took place in Johannesburg at the Big Top Arena at Carnival City on Thursday 09 October 2008 and featured a staggering line-up of live performances from Rythmic Elements, Bleksem, Irene and Jane, Witness, Ikechukwu as well as a never before seen collabo between Pro and Da L.E.S.

“Spirits were high and the comradery and moral support was evident. It was truly a Pan African event. Every year these awards reveal amazing developments in our music industry and video production which improves year upon year,” said Channel O General Manager, Yolisa Phahle.

The Channel O Music Video Awards were dominated by winners from Namibia – who bagged the awards for Best Dance (Lady May), Best R&B Video (Gal Level), Best Kwaito (The Dogg) - and Nigeria for Best Male Video (Ikechukwu), Best Duo or Group and Video of the Year (P Square), Best African West (M-Trill) as well as Best Hip Hop Video (KC Presh) categories.

South African Afro-fusion band Freshlyground represented Mzansi when they scooped the award for Best African Southern for the catchy tune “Pot Belly”, others who were in the running for the same award included Ziqo, Gal Level, HHP and Taygrin.

Legendary jazz musician Jimmy Dludlu delivered a moving performance which paid tribute to his friend and mentor the late George Lee, this year’s recipient of the Special Recognition award, who passed away on 16 September after a long battle with motor neuron disease.

The event was recorded live and will be broadcast on Channel O on 23 October at 21:00 (DStv Channel 320).

And the winners are...

Best Male Video: Ikechukwu (Nigeria)

Best Female Video: Lizha James (Mozambique)

Best Newcomer: Buffalo Souljah (Zimbabwe)

Best Duo or Group: P Square (Nigeria)

Best Dance: Lady May (Namibia)

Best Ragga Dancehall Video: Buffalo Souljah (Zimbabwe)

Best R&B Video: Gal Level (Namibia)

Best Kwaito: The Dogg (Namibia)

Best African Southern: Freshly Ground (South Africa)

Best African West: M-Trill (Nigeria)

Best African East: Witness ft Fid Q (Tanzania)

Best Hip Hop Video: KC Presh (Nigeria)

Video of the Year: P Square (Nigeria)