Zani Challe nominated for All Africa Music Awards
South Africa-based Malawian musician Zani Challe has been nominated for the 2016 Africa Music Awards (Afrima), the only nominee from Malawi.
She has been nominated in the Revelation of the Year category for her latest release Single Tonight which features Nigerian award-winning reggae-dancehall artist Patoranking.
According to the nomination list released last week, Challe will compete against South Africa’s Emtee, Nigerians Falz and Simi, Ghana’s E.1, Morocco’s Amine Aminux and Tanzania’s Yamoto Band.
The musician dropped Single Tonight, a fusion of dancehall and R’n’B, in May this year.
The song talks of a boy and girl liking each other, but it is the girl who sets the tone and goes for what she wants, a major departure from what Malawian ladies do—wait for a man to propose.
It was done in English with bits of Chichewa and Igbo languages.
“It feels so amazing to be nominated. It is like I am dreaming, actually. I am so excited and humbled by the nomination. I am extremely motivated to keep pushing out more music.
“I think this is a huge step for Malawi and our music. We are being recognised outside our borders and that is great. I feel like the door has opened now and we need to push through and keep making noise and make a mark,” said Challe in an interview.
Following the nomination, public voting opened on www.afrima.org on Monday and will close on November 5.
“I feel I have done my part by releasing music that is being recognised by the rest of the world; now it is up to my fans both in Malawi and the rest of the world to vote.
“Help me make this a reality. It is in your hands now; I will fly the Malawi flag high and represent the country as best as I know at the event and be happy with whatever the outcome,” added Challe.
The event will take place in Lagos, Nigeria, and will include the Africa Music Business Summit on November 4, the Afrima Music Village—an open concert-styled festival featuring nominees and other top billed music stars on November 5—and end with the awards ceremony on November 6.
Afrima is held jointly with the African Union (AU) Commission. n
