With the awards just three weeks away, one question that lingers in the minds of fans, musicians and industry practitioners remains ‘who wears the crown at this years Hip Hop World Awards’.
Top on the list with the highest number of nominations is Abolore Akande whom we have come to refer to as 9ice. On a total, he has been selected in six different categories- Album of the year (Gongo Aso), Artiste of the year, Song of the year (Gongo Aso), recording of the year (street credibility), best R&B pop album (Gongo Aso) and Best Collabo (Street Credibility).
Following closely with five nominations for Best Rap single (Safe), Album of the year (Talk about it), Best rap album (Talk about it), lyricist on the roll and Hip Hop World revelation of the year is recent rap sensation Jude Abaga popularly known as MI.
‘All we have done is to nominate people we feel have added value and worth to the Nigerian music scene in the year under review, and if you study the nominees list closely, you will find out that it covers the year in appraisal which is between December 2007 and December 2008, any one that was not nominated in any of the categories probably does not meet the judges requirements’ James Silas a member of the screening committee says.
Also up for nomination is new comer and female sensation- Kel with 2 nominations in the next rated category and for best rap single; Idols West African’s first runner up Omawumi with 2 nominations (next rated and female Vocal performance); prolific producer ID Cabasa with 1 nomination for producer of the year; Darey Art Alade with 2 nominations for recording of the year and best male vocal performance; D banj with 3 nominations for Album of the year, song of the year and Artiste of the year and a host of others.
The event which holds at The International Conference Centre, Abuja on May 16, 2009 will have as major headliner, a host of Nigerian hit-makers, and a few acts from other parts of the world. In all 20 plaques popularly known as heady will be given to deserving contenders.
The Headie plaque is made of 21 carat gold and it represents the image and the shout of a young, vibrant man whose talent can challenge that of Nas, Modenine, Kanye West, Sound Sultan and Jay Z combined but who has almost lost confidence in his abilities in the face of daunting odds presented by the Nigerian environment
Already, a number of nominees are canvassing for votes via the extensively used online social network- Face book, and different means have been employed. While some dedicate their statues message to campaign for votes, others have made use of the face book note option, and some have even gone as far as designing posters to that effect.
Since 2006, having a headie on their shelf has been number one priority for contemporary Nigerian artistes. For many, the moment they get endorsed by HHWA, it becomes a defining moment for their carrers. Remember that Asa got her first headie in 2006 where she was named the next rated, MI got his first HHWA plaque in 2008, and since they have since then gone on to become household names at home and abroad.
Even the nominees for the next rated category are not left out in the battle for the top prize as the organizers are dangling a brand new 2008 Kia Optima in the direction of whoever wins that category. Already, there is a lot of canvassing going on amongst the nominees in that group. On a recent trip to Kia motors where the nominees were allowed to get a peep of what they will be going back home with, the nominees were lobbying and soliciting for fans’ votes.
‘It is a healthy competition and I think more of it should be encouraged. All I can say is let the best man win and then leave it all to the awards committee and the fans to decide, I’m sure they will make the right decision’ Animashaun says.
Slugging it out in the next rated category are five talented yet-to-debut acts: Kel, MP, Omawumi, Djinee and YQ. Last year, Mo hits record Wande Coal went away with a brand new Hyundai Sonata Sedan. Other winners in this category are Asa (2006) and OD (2007)
In 2006, rave duo P square carted away four awards plaques, the following year, Paul Play went home with three headie plaques for recording of the year, Artiste of the year and song of the year and last year, Asa was presented three headie plaques for Album of the year, recording of the year and best female vocal performance.
The prizes will this year be handed over to winners of the various categories by renowned individuals selected from different industries. Some of them include ID Cabasa, Cobhams, Howie T, Festus Keyamo, Fela Durotoye, Tonye Ibiama, Tana Egbo Adelana, Bola Atta, Ego Ihenaecho and many more.
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