Mixed reaction on UMP Awards
The Urban Music Party (UMP) spearheaded by Nde’feyo Entertainment returned to the fold on Sunday at BAT ground in Blantyre where apart from several performances, artists were also decorated with awards.
The UMP which went all the way through to the night attracted an impressive audience which was dominated by the youth.
The awards have since received mixed reaction with some quarters saying the awards leaves a lot to be desired. In fact some people were booing during the awards presentation.
Random interviews with some fans after the awards were presented indicated that they were not satisfied with Gwamba winning Artist of the Year likewise Martse claiming the Song of the Year Award.
“First of all I should commend the organisers for a job well done on the show, I am impressed but I am not happy with the awards, for me Gwamba is not the Artist of the Year.”
“For me Nepman was the right candidate and the same as Song of the Year, much as Martse has done well with ‘Mwano,’ I think ‘Tsika,’ and ‘Nalelo,’ have been the best,” said Alick Tambula.
Kondwani Kaimfa and Esther Tembo also conquered with Tambula saying ‘Nepman,’ and ‘Tsika,’ deserved awards on the day.
One of the artists who opted for anonymity also agreed with the views from the fans saying some artists deserved to get awards on the day.
Gwamba once again proved that he is a force to reckon with in the world of urban music when he claimed the Artist of the Year Award.
“I would like to thank God for the award and I also say thank you to the fans for the support,” said the ‘Bola Kusache,’ star, who is preparing to launch a new album.
The artist shrugged off competition from among others Nepman, Sangie and Janta who were also nominated in this category.
Martse, who is fast rising, triumphed in the Song of the Year Award with his song ‘Mwano,’ beating other nominees ‘Tsika,’ by Sonye, ‘Nalero,’ by Nepman and Janta’s ‘Divorce.’
However, having missed out on the Song of the Year Award, Janta earned himself respect picking up the Video of the Year Award with his song ‘Divorce.’
He beat other nominees in the category Fredokiss featuring Daredevilz for the song ‘Ukudziwa Kale,’ Gwamba featuring Lulu for the song ‘Ineyo wa lero,’ and Zani Challe for the song ‘Ndiphunzitse.’
Tricky Beatz claimed the Producer of the Year Award outclassing other nominees DJ Sley, Janta and Stitch Fray.
Female singer Sangie continues to make progress in her career and she cemented this by capturing the Best New Artist Award beating other nominees Teddy, Black Nina and Tsar Leo.
Late Mafunyeta famed for hits such as ‘Kangobwera,’ received the Lifetime Achiever Award. The award was received by Third Eye, who said he will deliver it to his mother.
UMP Festival Publicist Kimpho Loka said they were satisfied with the way the event.
On the awards, he said people have their own reservations.
“According to votes and the judges as well as the criteria used these were the artists who deserved the awards,” said Loka, who was one of the judges alongside James Gumbwa and Rex Chalenga.
Apart from music performances which were not live but artists were using their DJs on a set; there was also a fashion show during the UMP as well as a master of ceremonies and spoken word battles.
Some of the artists who performed during the event hosted by Mphatso Chaluluka alias Junior C and former Big Brother Africa representative Sipe, included Chimzy Kelly from Zambia famed for the hits ‘Dorica,’ and ‘Malonda ndi Kumbuyo,’ and Gwamba
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