Langalakhe Mabena
The third edition of local radio station Skyz Metro Music Awards (Skymas) stoked mixed feelings especially to musicians and the listeners of the station as many local artistes who represent the city at national and international level were not nominated in the awards.
This comes after rowdy hip-hop kingpin Cal_vin and the high-flying songbird Novuyo Seagirl, among artistes regarded as the face of Bulawayo music, were not nominated at the awards which were held at Bulawayo City Hall on 20 December.
As the station’s manager Godwin Phiri stated to this publication that the station’s listeners’ voice was the key factor to the artistes’ nomination, the criteria proved to be not transparent as many artistes that are loved by Bulawayo residents were snubbed in the nominations.
To Novuyo Seagirl, she believes with her being dishonoured the station was giving other artistes a platform to shine.
“The first time I saw the nominations list and my name not there I was shocked because I know I was among the artistes who deserve a nomination as my music represented the city very well.
“However, I made peace with it afterwards because I told myself they wanted to give other artistes a chance to shine perhaps,” said Seagirl in an interview.
Hip-hop doesn’t have mercy, it doesn’t leave any stone unturned, as such, Cal_vin who was also snubbed fumed over the treatment he suffered at the hands of the station and released his first single in 2020 titled This Year firing shots at Skyz Metro.
He whipped local people at high offices who want to control the local music industry.
“There are people in high offices who want to control the music industry as they want acknowledgement to be regarded as a stepping stone to one’s career, I am not moved by those negative energies as I launched my career on a national level when the city had no local radio station, Banjalo Abantu,” said Cal_vin.
After Bulawayo disowned local blossoming talent, the nation has given the nod to rejected City of Kings’ craft as both Cal_vin and Seagirl are nominated at this year’s Zimbabwe Music Awards (Zima).
Seagirl, who was nominated for the first time on the esteemed awards for Best Dance (House, Gqom, Kwaito, EDM) category, revealed that she was ecstatic about the achievement.
“I am happy with my first nomination at the Zimas because I am recognised nationwide at the correct time. I worked hard to receive this nomination,” said Seagirl.
The wordsmith Cal_vin said: “This is my second nomination at the Zimas for Best Hip Hop and I am happy to be among the artistes who are nominated, the sky is not the limit.”
The awards ceremony will be held at Newlands Country Club in Harare on 25 January.
