Malawi’s Maskal at Ireland music awards

Malawi’s urban music sensation Maskal is in Ireland for this year’s Ireland African Music Awards (IAMA) to be held this Friday at the Victory Centre Auditorium, Firhouse Tallaght, Dublin.

He joins other African artists such as Nigeria’s Michael Collins Ajereh aka Don Jazzy and Dr Sid and Congolese Awilo Longomba in presenting awards during the gala.

The IAMA aim at recognising the growth of urban music, African arts and support for the African music community in Ireland.

The awards are about the people, groups, events, companies that have promoted African arts and culture through music and entertainment.

In an interview before departing for Dublin, Maskal, real name Masiye Kasaru, dubbed his trip an important addition to his career as he will learn from other musicians’ experiences.

“Honestly, I am excited with this. I am going there as a guest artist representing Malawi where, among others, I will present an award to one of the winners. But this cannot override the fact that I will learn a lot of things from fellow musicians from the rest of the continent.

“Such experiences is important in the growth of one’s career most especially arts. You know this industry is very diverse as such one learns everyday from others,” said Maskal.

Meanwhile, Ireland based Malawian rapper, Pop Dogg, is among the nominees for the awards after receiving five nominations.

The artist, real name Ibrahim Hadji, was nominated for the Best Male Artist, Best Rap Artist Awards, Best Song Collaboration, Best Director and Best Video for his Be My Lady official music video.

Pop Dogg is an award winning Afro hip-hop solo artist who won IAMA 2011 Best Male Artist and Best Song Collaboration.