UMP awards nominees released
Organisers of Malawi’s top entertainment and arts awards, Urban Music People (UMP) awards have announced the list of nominees for the 2019 edition.
The announcement was made on Saturday night at a colourful event at Waves in Lilongwe.
Hilco, Kim of Diamonds, Sangie, Temwa and Tuno have been nominated for the best Female Artist of the Year Award. Eli Njuchi, Gwamba, Kell Kay, Seveno More and Wikise are in the running for the Male Artist of the Year Award.
The best duo/group list is made up of Archaida Universe, Brainlock Fam, Mabilinganya Empire, Zitatu and XVI. The music video of the year category comprises Chikamphulikire (Wikise), Go (Kell Kay), My Bag (Toast), Ndagoma(Fredokiss featuring Bucci and AK) and Ng’wiiNg’wii(Patience Namadingo).
DJ Brown, DJ Sley, Henwood, Martin Angelz and Zephy have been nominated for the Best Producer of the Year Award. In the fashion category, Dickson Keith Kanyenda, House of Daniella, Legacy Fashions and Scorpie Clothing have been nominated for the Best New Fashion Designer of the Year Award.
Musician Wikise has been nominated for the Song of the Year Award for his song Chikamphulikire. Other artists that have earned a similar nomination are Kell Kay for his song Go and Mpaka kale, Saint for Mtengamoyo and Patience Namadingo for Ng’wiiNg’wii.
Christian Entwan, Jay Designs, Miss Pearls and Xandria have been nominated for the Fashion Designer of the Year Award. Christina Mabvuto, SinikiweMvula, Rebecca Thindwa and Claire Thindwa will compete for the Female Model of the Year Award.
Dickson Ziba, KeitumileKawililima, Miracle Suya and Paul Tembo have been nominated for the Male Model of the Year Award.
The Most Fashionable Celebrity Award will be competed for by Hazel Mak, NthandaManduwi, Priscilla Kayira and Temwa in the female category while Bucci, Gwamba, Tay Grin and Toast will compete for a similar award in the male category.
In an interview, brains behind the UMP awards Ken Zizwa said they are glad that the nominations were well received.
Zizwa said: “We are pleased with how things have panned out at this stage. We have not encountered any serious challenges. We expect the same as we go into the final round of voting.”
Urban music artist Tuno who is in the running for the Female Artist of the Year Award said she has received her nomination with mixed feelings.
“I am not really sure if I will get this one. I have not worked as hard as I was supposed to this year. But people certainly loved my performances and the song I released,” she said.
The nominations announcement was spiced up by performances from Hazel Mak and Malinga Mafia. The awards will take place at Crossroads Hotel in Blantyre on December 14.
