Style and elegance took centre stage at the awards ceremony with entertainment coming from both old and young artistes
The awards ceremony is a day that everyone involved in the entertainment industry eagerly looks forward to every year as it has always proved to be the turning point of several careers.
Well after a week that didn’t feature so much bright news, we were back in action as we looked forward to crowning the best in our local music scene.
The cream de la creama converged in numbers at the Mlimani City Conference Hall for an event that has come to be associated with class rather than the musical purpose it stands for. In the process bringing the socialites, fashionistas, self proclaimed divas, musicians and even the pedezhees with their toys.
There was just plenty of mouth watering scenes on display that makes one want these awards to be held more frequently, no wonder the Americans have so many!
Tickets to the event were one of the hottest properties in town, even the Sh70,000 that the VIP tickets went for weren’t a deterrent factor whatsoever.
The awards
The nominations had shown there would be stiff competition in almost all the categories and as a result there were shocks, triumphs for some and to a large scale disappointments.
Some are already searching for clues of how they didn’t win but as we all know that is what is bound to happen when you leave these things in the hands of voters.
However, even then, the most notable winners of the night were Mashujaa Band and their lead singer Chalz Baba, who together collected five gongs for the first time.
Returning on the podium for the second successive year was Bongo Flava Heartthrob Ommy Dimpoz, who bettered his last year’s brace by taking home three awards.
He took home the best collabo effort and Bongo Pop category for his effort in ‘Me and You’, he also bagged the best video of the year for his song Baadae which was shot in Johannesburg.
This means the singer has bagged five awards in two years ever since he made his debut with his single ‘Nai Nai’, a collabo with Ali Kiba.
Some saved the best for the last, after years of none recognition rapper Kala Jeremiah was finally honoured after his song ‘Dear God’ won the Song of the Year award category.
His win was further extended when he took home the Best Hip hop composer and Best Hip hop artiste.
Disappointments
These awards just like many others elsewhere come with a fair share of disappointments and this year’s disappointment will surely go to Linex.
After a year that saw him release the sentimental Aifola and leading fellow Kigoma-born artistes to record Leka Dutigite, the VOA lead vocalist went home empty handed.
But as they say may be this will inspire him to even work harder as it did in the case of Amini who rose after years of failure to finally win an award at this year’s edition.
Female artistes
There was a time when we had plenty of divas in the making and you definitely looked forward to seeing them on the big stage.
However, from the look of things, something seems to be wrong with the supply chain as they seem to be an endangered species, apart from the taarab category they were very few in others.
On this night only two outside taarab picked up gongs with the exception of Vanessa, something has to be done to encourage the development of more female artistes.
I can’t confirm the figures but according to information available they are doing well in the other countries in the region.
Absenteeism
These awards are supposed to be the pinnacle of our music and from what I believe in there is no money that can buy an award.
It is a recognition that you get from your fans for the good work and as one artiste once remarked to be nominated alone means you are a winner already.
However, that doesn’t seem to be the case here as several artistes who won were either late or absent for reasons best known to them.
Leading the pack of absentees was Diamond who won two awards, Lady JayDee for a fourth time in a row, Recho and Isha Mashauzi who were late, Mzee Yusuf, Jose Chameleone (sent a message) and Rama Dee, among others.
The only absentee with a valid reason was queen of taarab Hadija Kopa whose husband died earlier in the week.
Fashion
Dress sense is always a focal points at most awards and as the norm is, women keep beating men in this department despite notable improvements over the years.
With any prestigious awards ceremony, women know that their choice of attire will be studied, scrutinised and praised or slated.
But it could also mean the chance to raise their profile, especially if their outfit stands out from the crowd - which seemed to be the case at this year’s Kili Awards
From cleavages that looked in danger of escaping, to thigh high split flashing lots of leg, there were some very daring dresses on display.
Those women who have been blessed with buxom assets had no hesitation in showing them off.
There were those who struggled to contain their ample assets in a tight short dress as they played the dare devils going up the stage
Though much of what was worn by Dar’s glitterati wasn’t bad for an adult eye, including some of the hot pants, at a certain point some of these women seemed to be on a ‘kamikaze mission’.
Entertainment
The highlight of the show came with the themed performances which reached its climax with Ally Zorro performing Mr Nice’s Kikulacho. He had been preceded by Hussein Jumbe who drew cheers as he pulled a few strokes with TID’s breakthrough single Zeze.
Patricia Hillary was at hand to perform one of RayC’s songs much to the applause of the crowd.
It was generally something different and entertaining.
