There was no escaping the juggernaut influence that Hip Hop had in 2019 as Ti Gonzi was crowned the Outstanding Male Artist by the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA)
That a hip hop artist was accorded such a high honour by the country’s biggest arts awards, NAMA is a testament of the ever-growing influence of the genre.
After being robbed of the same at the Zimbabwe Music Awards, Ti Goniz has now won the Best Male accolade three times in this Awards calendar, Zim Hip Hop Awards, Star FM Music Awards and the recent NAMA.
2019 kicked off in grand fashion, ushering in the hip hop monster collaboration Kure on February 23 by Ti Gonzi and Ishan.
Barely a month after Kure’s release, Ti Gonzi would get attacked and kidnapped by robbers who left him for dead.
By that time fellow collaborator, Ishan together with the rest of the country were celebrating 200 000 thousand views of Kure.
All of Kure’s successes would happen whilst Ti Gonzi was battling for his life, he was stabbed in the head by the assailants and had to have his skull removed and put inside his belly for sometime before it was stitched back to his head.
The rapper then had a miraculous recovery.
As if he had a premonition of what would happen to him he drooped Kufamba Murima early April, a song he had recorded prior to the attack that happened in March.
His story and undeniable talent propelled the hip hop genre to higher heights and the following month in May he made an appearance at dancehall singer Enzo Ishall’s 25th birthday bash at the City Sports Centre and gave a wild performance to an equally wild reception.
A week later after making a surprise appearance at Enzo Ishall’s birthday he dropped the song Mabazooka , Enzo Nema Pumacol. The song earned him a Best Verse at the Zim Hip Hop Awards.
What followed was a spike in demand as the rapper went on to do about 30 collaborations with other inter-genre artists from ExQ, Willis Watafi, Ngoni Kambarami among others.
A flurry of congratulatory messages was sent Ti Gonzi’s way the entire weekend as the genre celebrated another victorious year.
Meanwhile, the 2020 NAMA Awards have left an indelible mark on the hearts and memories of art lovers after pulling off an amazing show.
The Awards were organised by Jacaranda Culture and Media Entertainment who are the event managers for the next 5 years under the executive leadership of Napoleon Nyanhi.
The event which took place at the Harare International Conference Centre was hosted by TV personalities Mbo Mahocs and Leroy Gopal.
NAMA Awards 2020 Winners Full List
Music
Outstanding Newcomer– Ishan
Outstanding Female Musician– Tamy Moyo
Outstanding Male Musician– Ti Gonzi
Outstanding Song- ‘Kure’ – Ishan ft. Ti Gonzi
Outstanding Album– Uhuru – Willis Wataffi
Outstanding Music Video– ‘Sunshine City’ – Flying Bantu
Outstanding Fiction Book- Out of Darkness, Shining Light – Petina Gappah
Outstanding Children’s Book- Songs of the Little Creature – Phumulani Chipandambira
Outstanding First Creative Published Book– A People’s Fight – Fradreck Hombiro
Outstanding Female Dance–Dadirai Mupandawana – Ezimnyama Dance Group
Outstanding Male Dancer– Selemani Mpochi – Ochestra Mberikwazvo
Outstanding Theatre Actress– Charmaine Mudau – Imbokodo
Outstanding Screen Production (Television Series)– Muzita Rababa – Shem Zemura
Outstanding Screen Production – Short Film– Redefining the Road – Tapiwa Gambira
Outstanding Mix Media Work- Distorted History – Anthony Bumhira
Outstanding 2 Dimensional Work– Cyclone Idai where is Mommy? – Calvin Chimutuwah
Outstanding 3 Dimensional Work– Tribute to the mother of generations – Stanley Mutanga
Outstanding Exhibition- Pieces for Peace, Pieces, Revolutionary Freshness – Talent Kapadza & Schuma Herscovitz
Outstanding Journalist (Print)– Tafadzwa Kachiko – Newsday
Outstanding Journalist (TV)– Masceline Bondamakara – ZBC
Outstanding Journalist Radio – Anesu Masamvu – ZiFM
Outstanding Online Media- Zimbojam
Outstanding Comedian– Long John
Outstanding Poet– Sithembile Siqhoza Ndebele
Outstanding Actor (Film and TV)– Percy Soko – Mandla
Outstanding Actress (Film and TV)– Antoinette Sango – Mandla
Outstanding Screen Production (TV)–Mandla – Solomon Mandaza
Outstanding Screen Production (Short Film)– Redefining the Road – Tapiwa Gambura
Outstanding Screen Production (Full-length Film)– Stay with Me – Nick Zemura
Artist in the Diaspora– Vusa Mkhaya
Outstanding Promoter of the Year– D & G Promotions
Personality of the Year– Nobuntu
Service to the Arts Award– Solomon Guramatunhu
Lifetime Achievement Award– Stella Chiweshe
People’s Choice Award– Winky D
Share Your Comments