The second edition of the Club Music Video Awards was held last Saturday at the Kampala Serena hotel and the breakout kid clearly was Abaasa. FELIX EUPAL & ANTHONY LAM AYEBE were in attendance and now report.
STATE MANAGEMENT
Fenon Entertainment who handled the first edition at the Lugogo Multipurpose hall in 2015 outdid themselves this time round. They set up an in-the-round stage. This is the type of stage positioned at the centre of the audience. It creates quite an intimate atmosphere, and is good for drama that needs audience involvement.
It had the African map in the background. Fenon flew in a South African events management crew that was behind the organisation and events planning of the MTV Africa Music awards.
They had perfect sound; it has been long since one attended a Kampala function with no sound glitches. They also had teleprompters to ensure that those presenting the awards did not go off script.
Every moment was fully scripted. Quite amazing to see a Ugandan show treated like a true production, and not some high school gig.
THE BLUE CARPET
Club beer’s signature colour is blue; so, instead of the cliché red carpet, they featured a blue carpet. But when it came to the glitz and glamour it was supposed to have, it was instead turned into some market walk-in.
Award ceremonies are important and don’t have to be kept that way. There was a pre-event cocktail at the entrance but almost whoever walked in was allowed.
The security at the check-in was also sloppy and various people got in without paying or having invites. The organizers had Rockstar TV handle the filming of the event; so, all other television stations were limited to the cocktail and carpet area, outside Victoria hall which made it more crowded.
Then the ‘blue-carpet’ MCs, NTV’s Sheila Gashumba, Tinah Teise, Urban TV’s Denzel and Malaika Nyanzi, all got mixed up with the various TV show hosts and producers. One could not tell who was doing what.
THE PERFORMANCES
For folks that parted with Shs 100,000 to see what was on stage last Saturday, they got value for money. Every performer who stepped on stage lived up to the billing with help from Tabu Flo dancers.
From Voltage, Spice Diana, Lillian Mbabazi and Vampino with a ‘killer’ act doing his Smart Wire single. He had the dancers do most of the show and they were on point.
The guys in gym wear, others in casual, the synchronization of the moves…it was amazing. Vampino closed the night with a bang.
THE MAIN MCS
Comedian Alex Muhangi provided the comic relief, but Sanyu FM’s Crystal Newman was dull for a seasoned MC. She lacked the vigour and energy for such a show.
However, both of them were on point when it came to dress code. They switched outfits more than three times and looked incredible.
Abaasa, who scooped the newcomer of the year award, in his acceptance speech, urged upcoming artistes not to depend on having radio stations play their songs but instead use music-sharing sites such as SoundCloud to promote their music.
“Online music platforms are the future,” Abaasa said.
It was a night to celebrate the big strides Ugandan music videos have made from mediocre, poor-sound and poorly scripted pictures, to great pieces of art that make the likes of Marvin Musoke, Sasha Vybz, Lukyamuzi Bashir and Kim XP proud of their craft.
Full List of winners
Best Choreography: Nyinimu, Exodus
Best Cinematography: Mariana, A Pass
Best Costume & Make Up: Mbiro Mbiro (remix), Eddy Kenzo & Niniola
Best Directing: Voice Inside, Patrobas & Abaasa
Best Duo or Group: Dagala, Radio & Weasel
Best Set Design: Mwana Gwe, King Saha
Best Special Effects: IAIAO, Black Skin
Best Use of Technology: Yeye, Cindy Sanyu & Wahu
Collaboration of The Year: Voice Inside, Patrobas & Abaasa
Female Video Of the Year: Go Down, Irene Ntale
Inspirational Video Of The Year: Voice Inside, Patrobas & Abaasa
Male Video Of The year: Voice Inside, Patrobas & Abaasa
Newcomer of the Year: Run Away, Abaasa
Viral Video Of The Year: Musawo, Winnie Nwagi
Video Of The Year: Voice Inside, Patrobas & Abaasa
Special Recognition: Daniel Ogong (Former NBL marketing director)
feupal@observer.ug
ayebeanthony@gmail.com
