If my friend, Prince Tendai Mupfurutsa was still alive, he would have been envious of Jah Prayzah’s recent award at the MTV Africa Music Awards (Mamas).
in the groove with Fred Zindi
Jah Prayzah won the listener’s choice award at the Mamas which were held in South Africa last month.
As far back as 1997, Prince Tendai targeted the Kora Awards with the hit song Character, hoping that it would lead him to the international Grammy Awards. This, however, failed.
Throughout his musical career, Prince Tendai had focused on the international market. I remembered him bragging about being the first ever Zimbabwean musician to be nominated for the 1997 Kora Music Awards. Although he lost out, he re- submitted his Character video for the 2000 Mamas.
When Isaac Kalumbu was nominated for a Grammy for his Isaacs Meets Isaac album in 2011 after a collaboration with the late reggae star, Gregory Isaacs, Prince Tendai was encouraged and asked me how he could submit his album for a Grammy nomination. He had spent a lot of money working on both the album and the video that he wanted to submit. Unfortunately, he died the same year, before his dreams were realised. He said he had already submitted his video for a Mamas nomination. That was the first time I heard about the Mamas.
MTV was first launched in 1981 in the United States. The first MTV Video Music Award ceremony was held three years later. Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Madonna — all the big names — have several video music awards. But when accomplishments in awards ceremonies are noted, it is the Grammys which top the bill. And this is what Prince Tendai was aiming for in his life before it was cut short. For a music award, the Mamas put quite a premium on videos. And that is because the award is tied to a television channel. Because of the emphasis on videos, the MTV Africa Music Awards favours the singles. A body of work put in an album takes time and gets no love from MTV since they focus on single videos. It is possible African acts see the Mamas as a place for exposure, not artistic merit.
The video which artistes submit must be of high quality and must show on the MTV channel. As one of its top-ranked officials said last year, “We don’t feel comfortable judging music that doesn’t show on our channel.” It is in this regard that Jah Prayzah won the Mama award as his video had been played several times on the MTV channel.
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The MTV Africa Music Awards (Mama) were held at a glamorous ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa, on October 22. Various artists were honoured for the milestones they have achieved through their talent and hard work. Among them was Jah Prayzah, who won an award in the Listener’s Choice category, contesting against 19 other nominees from all over Africa.
This award is a landmark in Jah Prayzah’s career as it shows that his music is being appreciated across Zimbabwe’s borders, and indeed being acknowledged. Jah Prayzah could not personally attend the awards ceremony as he was already booked for previously scheduled performances in Zimbabwe, but speaking to me after the Mama announcement, he said he was overwhelmed by this recognition.
“The award is not for me. It is for all those fans who voted for me. This is what is called listener’s choice. It shows that there are many people out there who appreciate my music. The video showed the way and we are going to work harder at producing even better work. I am very happy and thank you for congratulating me,” he said.
The award, which comes hot on the heels of the release of his latest album Mdhara Vachauya, serves as proof that the artist is indeed going places and most definitely putting Zimbabwe on the map.
Africa has no Grammy equivalent — the Kora came close but may have damaged its own brand with controversy. The Mamas are a combination of Nigerian and South African awards ceremony. By virtue of its huge population, Nigeria gets involved in MTV awards. South Africa, on the other hand, has direct links with global music industry.
Together, the two giants dominate the Mamas every year with their artists such as Wizkid coming out tops. Artists from countries such as Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Uganda and Namibia have no real chance of crushing the party going on at the Nigerian and South African high table. This is one reason why when artists like Jah Prayzah win the Mamas, we are all proud as he has put Zimbabwe on the international map. It is also our hope that this recognition will lift him up higher to reach the Grammys.
His creative collaboration with Tanzanian music giant, Diamond Platinumz, no doubt brought about the hit that made it to the Mamas.
Jah Prayzah expresses his gratitude at having been afforded the chance to work with one of Tanzania’s best artists, adding; “Despite him being one of the biggest artists in Africa at the moment, Diamond is very humble and passionate about what he does.”
Jah Prayzah also said he looks up to Diamond for inspiration and has a lot of respect for him.
The possibility of the two showcasing their talents together in front of Zimbabweans is almost close as a concert has been scheduled for next month at the Harare International Conference Centre.
Prince Tendai, wherever you are, your dreams are slowly coming true as Jah Prayzah appears to be doing what you had dreamt of over the years. Now your dear soul can rest in eternal peace.
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