Jah Prayzah Scoops MTV Africa Music Award (Mama) Listeners’ Choice Award

High-flying musician, Jah Prayzah’s star continues to rise, becoming the first Zimbabwean to scoop the prestigious MTV Africa Music Award (...

High-flying musician, Jah Prayzah’s star continues to rise, becoming the first Zimbabwean to scoop the prestigious MTV Africa Music Award (Mama) in the Listeners’ Choice category at the 2016 edition of the awards ceremony held in South Africa on Saturday.

The Uzumba-bred musician is enjoying his moment in the sun and this illustrates his dominance, as he scales new heights.

Although the Mdhara Vachauya hit-maker did not attend the awards ceremony in Johannesburg, he took to social media, Facebook, to salute his fans for their unwavering support.

“Soldier! I am running short of words. I won the Listener’s Choice at the Mamas in Johannesburg. Unfortunately I couldn’t make it there, but I just want to thank you all so much for the support! I am on cloud nine. I am tearing up! he wrote

Speaking to NewsDay yesterday, Jah Prayzah’s manager, Keen Mushapaidze said winning such an international award is more than a milestone for their camp and also means a lot for the country’s entertainment sector.

“We are so excited to win this prestigious award, as this is for Zimbabwe as a whole, as the nation joined hands for a common cause and we did it. The hype alone, before the event, was overwhelming and we are happy the award came home. This is how avenues are opened for everyone and this should be a lesson for many that united we stand and divided we fall,” he said.

“This is an indication that fans are appreciating our works and that is exactly what we anticipate, as we are making music for the people. We hope the momentum will keep on going until, us as Zimbabweans, get the much-needed attention from everyone out there.

The feat has been described by music followers and promoters as a landmark in the history of Zimbabwean showbiz.

Music promoter, Biggie Chinoperekwei of Divine Assignments, said the award was a remarkable accomplishment that Jah Prayzah deserves for his hard work.

“Jah Prayzah is now enjoying the results of hard work, diligence and innovation. Musically this has been a good year for Jah Prayzah, whom I can say has a good future and I believe this is just the beginning. It is the best step he could possibly take towards internationalising his sound,” he said.

Local music marketing and distribution company, Jive Zimbabwe director, Benjamin Nyandoro, who is also a music promoter, told NewsDay that this was a landmark for Jah Prayzah.

“Beyond looking at the quality of music, it is a numbers game, having countries like Nigeria and South Africa commanding more than 180 million and 50 million in the same race. An artiste scooping an award under such a situation is truly a huge recognition by Africa. I want to congratulate Jah Prayzah for representing Zimbabwe,” he said.

They was an outpouring of congratulatory messages to Jah Prayzah on social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter from fellow musicians among them Trevor Dongo, Hope Masike and Winky D.

On Twitter, Dongo wrote: “Congrats to @jahprayzah for scooping the Listeners Choice Award! Thanks for paving a way for us all my brother! God bless #MTVMAMA 2016.”

In a post, Masike said: “Who knew Zimbabwe’s first #Mama would go to a mbira-playing artist! Makorokoto @JahPrayzah.”

Winky D wrote: “Congratulations to Jah Prayzah for winning the Listener’s Choice Mama, you have made us proud.”

Meanwhile, it was a big night for Nigerian music icon, Wizkid, who walked away with three major awards; Artiste of the Year, Best Male and Best Collaboration with his fellow musicians Yemi Alade scoping the Best Female award, while Tekno was named the Best Breakthrough Act.

South Africa also fared quite well with Cassper Nyovest picking up the Best Live Act award and Emtee was deemed Best Hip Hop.

Caster Semenya is the 2016 Person of the Year, with Hugh Masekela given the Lifetime Achievement Award. Kenya did not disappoint either. Sauti Sol was given the Best Group award.

Below is the full list of The 2016 MTV Africa Music Awards winners.

Artiste of the Year: Wizkid (Nigeria)
Best Female: Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
Best Male: Wizkid (Nigeria)
Best Group: Sauti Sol (Kenya)
Best Breakthrough Act: Tekno (Nigeria)
Best Live Act: Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
Best Hip Hop in association with MTN: Emtee (South Africa)
Song of the Year in partnership with Google: My Woman, My Everything Patoranking feat. Wande Coal (Nigeria)
Listener’s Choice: Jah Prayzah (Zimbabwe)
Video of the Year: Niquer Ma Vie — Youssoupha (Congo) — Director: Antony Abdelli and Jose Eon
Best Pop and Alternative: Shekinah and Kyle Deutsch (South Africa)
Best Francophone: Serge Beynaud (Ivory Coast)
Best Lusophone: C4 Pedro (Angola)
Personality of the Year in association with DSTV: Caster Semenya (South Africa)
Legend Award: Hugh Masekela
Best Collaboration in partnership with ABSOLUT: DJ Maphorisa feat. Wizkid and DJ Buckz — Soweto Baby (South Africa/Nigeria)
Africa Reimagined: Vivian Onano and Mary Taedzerwa
Best International: Drake (United States of America)

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