The annual South African Hip Hop Awards are back and are poised to be bigger and better – with two new categories namely the Milestone award and Best Radio Show, added to last year’s list. It has also been announced that the awards will be broadcast on television though not live. The television channel is still kept secret. There’s actually a competition about guessing what the channel it is…um, yes.
The nominee-list is out and I decided to pick some of the most coveted awards and suggest my own winners.
Album of the year
Khuli Chana – Lost In Time
iFani – I Believes in Me
Blaklez – Black Beast
Social Commentary Forum – SOCO Flow
AB Crazy – Homecoming
Last year, this award was taken by AKA for his solid debut, Altar Ego. Who’s taking it this year? My money is on Khuli Chana’s Lost in Time or at least iFani’s I Believes in Me. Dream Team domination.
Best producer
PH
Ab Crazy
Towdee Mac
Ganja Beats
Psyfo
37mph walked away with this one in 2012 mostly for the remarkable production he lent to Reason’s Motif Records debut, Audio 3D. This year, PH should grab it mostly for what he did on Khuli Chana’s SAMA-winning Lost in Time album.
Most Valuable
Reason
Khuli Chana
iFani
AKA
Blaklez
In 2013, the most valuable was grabbed by AKA beating the likes of HHP, Zakwe, ProVerb, L-Tido, Slikour and Pro. I believe it was a well-deserved regardless of AKA’s melodrama which we are told has been resolved and his awards have been handed to him. This year, it has to go to either Khuli or iFani.
Best Video
Teargas – Jabula
DJ Dimplez ft L-Tido and Anatii – We Ain’t Leaving
Blaklez – Don’t Be Scared
Da LES ft AKA and Maggz – Heaven
Cassper Nyovest ft Okmalumkoolkat – Gusheshe
DJ Vigilante ft KO and AKA – God’s Will
Khuli Chana – Mnatebawena
DJ Switch ft Reason – Switch
iFani – Milli
Reason – No Sleep
AKA – Kontrol
Last year, AKA was on his own league with “Jealousy”. This year, I don’t see Da LES not taking it with “Heaven”. No commentary needed here.
Best Female
Gigi Lamayne
Missy RBK
This category has always been ridiculously dry, I guess because of the obvious absence of female rappers making moves in the SA Hip Hop scene and the world at large. Why that is the case, I wish I knew. Sisters, step up. But Gigi is definitely taking this one.
Best Collaboration
Cassper Nyovest featuring Okmalumkoolkat – Gusheshe
Reason featuring Tumi, L-Tido, Ginger Trill and Monoea – No Sleep remix
AKA featuring Da LES – Kontrol
Da Les featuring AKA and Maggz – Heaven
DJ Vigilante featuring KO and AKA – God’s Will
DJ Switch featuring Reason – Switch
Khuli Chana featuring AKA, Reason, Todee Mac, Kaygizm and Zeus – Hape Le Hape
Khuli Chana and Notshi scooped this one with their smash hit, “Tswa Daar” off Khuli’s Lost in Time album last year. Even though Reason spit what’s arguably the best verse of 2013 on the star-studded “No Sleep” remix, I don’t see it winning. If it’s not taken by Cassper Nyovest and Okmalumkoolkat for their refreshing “Gusheshe”, it has to be taken by either DJ Vigilante with “God’s Will” or Khuli with “Hape Le Hape”. Hey, this is really a tough category in such a sense that whoever wins would still be deserving.
Song of the year
iFani – Milli
Reason – No Sleep
Khuli Chana – Mnatebawena
AKA ft Da Les– Kontrol
Cassper Nyovest ft Okmalumkoolkat – Gusheshe
DJ Dimplez ft L-Tido and Anatii – We Ain’t Leaving
DJ Vigilante ft KO and AKA – God’s Will
Taken by Reason with “Do it Like I Can” last year, he is on the list once again. But can he manage to take it again? Highly unlikely. But we wouldn’t know as this is a public vote award. My money is on the refreshingly dope “Gusheshe”. If not, then DJ Vigilante with “God’s Will”.
Best Lyricist
Reason
Khuli Chana
Zuluboy
Maxhoseni
Ginger Breadman
Taken by Zakwe last year (sigh!), one of the most coveted awards stays as competitive as ever. I expected Reason to take it. This year’s list shows some glimpses of diversity with the addition of Xhosa in the form of Eastern Cape veteran Spaza rapper, Maxhoseni. Who’s taking it? I would say, once again, Reason.
Best Radio Show nominees
The Full Clip – YFM
Clever Unga-give up – Ukhozi FM
Headwarmaz – Bush Radio
Hip Hop Music Sessions – Gagasi FM
Party People Radio – UJFM
The Stir Up – 5FM
The Ready D show – Good Hope FM
This is one of the two new awards added this year. The winner is purely determined by public vote. Cape Town is represented by Bush Radio’s Headwarmaz and Good Hope FM’s The Ready D show. Gagasi FM’s Hip Hop Music Sessions and Ukhozi FM’s Clever Unga-give up rep Durban and YFM’s The Full Clip, UJFM’s Party People and 5FM’s The Stir Up rep J-Sec. Who’s taking it? Entirely dependant on who’ll get the most votes. My money is on the ever-popular The Full Clip.
The full list of nominees and voting information can be viewed here.
Images and references: http://www.sahiphopawards.com/
