- Artistes accused of paying kickbacks to win
- Nominated artistes abscond the awards
ARTISTES snubbed the Zimbabwe Music Awards |(ZIMA) held on Saturday at Highlands Country Club amid accusations that bribery reigned supreme.
Nominated artistes who were conspicuous by their absence include Ammara Brown, Andy Muridzo, Freeman, Alick Macheso, Baba Harare, Winky D among others.
Artistes who spoke to Zim Morning Post accused ZIMA management for receiving kickbacks to from some undeserving artistes.
“The awards were marred with corruption , we know of certain artistes o paid to win awards.
“How can Janet Manyowa win that award ahead of Mai Charamba and how can DJ Stavo win any award,” lamented an artiste who spoke on condition of anonymity.
ZIMA chief executive Reason “Rizzla” Sibanda refused to comment over the allegations.
Winky D’s manger Jonathan Banda also refused to comment on his artiste’s absence.
“I will not comment on why Winky D was not present, my lawyers advised me not to comment over that matter,” he said.
Zimbabwe Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony to recognize and honour musical excellency, creativity and cultural diversity in Zimbabwean music.
Here are the winners:
Best Female Artist of the Year — Gemma Griffiths
Best Male Artist of the Year — Ishan
Best Group/ Duo of the Year — Fusion 5 Mangwiro
Best Newcomer of the Year — Ishan
Best Album of the Year — Gango – Freeman
Zimdancehall — Freeman
Sungura — Nicholas Zachariah
Hip Hop — Takura
Afropop — Ishan
Contemporary Gospel — Janet Manyowa
Traditional Gospel — Mambo Dhuterere
R&B & Soul — Gemma Griffiths
Jazz — Willis waTaffi Afirika
Dance (House/Gqom/Kwaito/EDM) — DJ Stavo
Tshibilika — Clement Magwaza
Traditional Folk (Chinyakare/Chimurenga) — Andy Muridzo
Traditional Folk (Ezomdabu/Imbube) — Indosakusa
Best Alternative — Sylent Nqo
Special Awards
Zim Icon – Retro Female — Chiwoniso Maraire
Zim Icon – Retro Male — Simon Chimbetu
Lifetime Achievement Award — Andy Brown
Best International Zim Artist — Sha sha
Best Collaboration — ‘Mugarden’ – Winky D ft. Gemma
Best DJ — DJ Stavo
Best Promoter — Impala Car Rental
Best Corporate Sponsors — Econet Wireless
Technical Awards
Best Music Video — ‘Ngaibake’ – Freeman ft. Alick Macheso
Videographer of the Year — Umsebenzi Ka Blaqs
Producer of the Year — Oskid
Engineer of the Year — GT Beats
Song of the Year — ‘Murgaden’ – Winky D ft. Gemma Griffiths