Phyzix dominates Hip-Hop awards nominations list
Rapper Phyzix has dominated nominations for the inaugural Malawi Hip-Hop Awards with seven nominations in various categories.
This follows the announcement of 75 nominees in 15 categories by the awards organisers.
Real name Noel Chikoleka, the rapper has been nominated for male artist of the year, album of the year for Gamba Season, verse of the year for They Will Know, hustler of the year and hip-hop live performance of the year.
His song Makofi, which features the Dare Devilz, has also been nominated for both song of the year and best collaboration.
Following closely with six nominations are the Pasanje brothers—Marcus and Graiton of Dare Devils—who received nominations for the best duo/group, album of the year for Dare Devilz for Life, verse of the year for Makofi and producer of the year.
With five nominations each, Suffix and Hayze Engolah have both gotten the nod for hustler of the year and lyricist of the year.
Engolah also bagged male artist of the year, best collaboration and verse of the year for Welcome to the Shop.
Suffix, on the other hand, has the hip-hop live performance and verse plus video of the year for Yobwata.
The Wave MW has four nominations, including best new comer, best duo/group and video of the year while Quest, Third Eye and Seven ‘O’ More have each received three nominations.
The battle for the Malawi hip hop queen is between Toriah, Luki, Princess Multikey, Tiya Joan and Mitchie who have been nominated for the female artist of the year.
In the DJ’s category, two turntables queens RJ and DJ Shortie have been nominated alongside VJ Ice, Nathan Tunes and Flame.
Celebrated radio personality and DJ Kenny Klips, who is also one of the pioneers of Malawian hip-hop, has been decorated as the recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Commenting on the news, VJ Ice said this is a well-deserved accolade for the versatile personality.
“We are following his blueprint and the foundation he laid is superb. Happy he is still getting his flowers while alive. Back then, being a DJ was taken more lightly but he stood for the culture and now some of us are able to continue with that culture. Long live legend,” he said.
Voting is expected to start soon, according to the awards’ manager, Nthangwanika Kondowe.
“It will be done through Malawi Hip Hop Awards website which will be up and running soon. Fans will be allowed to cast one vote a day,” she said.
Kondowe said the nominees have been scrutinised using set yardsticks by the organising team before making it into the different categories.
“These nominees were chosen from 212 submissions from various entertainment industry entities. The criteria used varies between categories but the main takeaway is the time frame of release/artist activity; November 2019 to present,” she said.
