Fred Orido
23 February 2008
Nairobi — The coveted Kora All-Music awards are back.
The awards that have had a short break, now carry much heftier prizes, and the venue for the ceremony has this year moved from traditional South Africa to Tinapa, Nigeria.
According to the awards president, Ernest Adjovi, the venue has shifted basically because Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and also due to its abundant talent in art, particularly in music, that can "hold its own any where in the world".
He told a press conference in Nairobi this week: "Coming after protests from many African artistes, political leaders and our licensees in various African countries, requesting the moving around of the pan-African awards ceremony, we the organisers have decided to move the event from South Africa, where it has been staged for 10 years, to Nigeria."
During the ceremony, the best African artiste or group will take home a whopping Sh69 million. The prize money, which has been the awards' undoing over the years, has been provided by First Bank of Nigeria.
"First Bank is supporting the Kora Awards to promote the African culture and contribute its quota in the development of African music," says a statement from the bank. This is the reason we are sponsoring the $1m prize for the best African artiste or group."
The sponsorship deal is a big relief to the organisers and a great incentive to musicians, as it gives them (organisers) all reason to stage an event to remember. It is said the event was not held last year due to lack of funds.
News of a revamped Kora Awards ceremony has been received by Kenyan artistes with excitement, and many are looking forward to nomination. Afro-fusion artiste Suzzane Owiyo applauded the move and said she hoped the awards would go a long way in ensuring that African artistes live up to world billing.
Since its inception in 1996, more than 1,000 musicians and music groups have been nominated and 197 Kora statuettes presented to those of African descent from across the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, the US and of course throughout the five regions of the African continent.
The awards aim to "promote African artistes and their music to a global audience, unite Africans through the celebration of excellence in music and produce a world-class, live performances and television broadcast shows that portray the best of Africa and its diaspora to the rest of the world."
They also aim to continue the fight to protect artistes' intellectual property rights and prevent unauthorised copying and reproduction of materials. African leaders are also recognised at the ceremony.
The Kora Awards have truly presented the best of African music and artistes, with performances over the years from luminaries such as Gerald Levert, Papa Wemba, Koffi Olomide, Kelly Price, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Oliver Mtukudzi, Brenda Fassie, Angie Stone, Jeff Maluleke and Oliver N'Goma, Bebe Winans, Michael Jackson and Missy Elliot, among many others.
Past winners include Salif Keita, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Meiwey, Sammie Okposo, Thandiswa Mazwai, Sunny Nneji, Kunle Ayo, Ayuba, Ade Bantu, JCC & 419 Squad, Femi Kuti, Awilo Longomba, Fassie and VIP. Eric Wainaina was the first Kenyan artiste to win an award for the best East African musician alongside Henrie Mutuku in 2002.
Other past Kenyan winners include gospel-turned-secular singer DnG (Davidson Ngibuini), Big Pin (Chrispin Mwangale) and Kaz (Karen Lucas).
The legendary awards have been presented also to distinguished personalities who have contributed to the improvement of Africa. Past recipients in this category are Dr Nelson Mandela (former President of South Africa), Dr Cheick Modibo Diarra (president of Microsoft Africa) and Graça Machel (widow of Mozambique president Samora and at present wife of Mr Mandela).
Others are Bill Clinton (former US president), Kofi Annan (former UN secretary-general), Dr Alpha Oumar Konare (former President of Mali and currently leader of the African Union).
Despite the event's success, however, many musicians and supporters have always complained about the nomination criteria, with many claiming that the bulk of the awards have always gone to South Africa, which has been hosting the event, and the West Africa, the birth place of the awards president Adjovi.
But Adjovi says this year's event will be different, and it will be an all-inclusive event to be appreciated by all. "We call on all genuine lovers of Africa to come up with suggestions, ideas and concrete support that will continue to keep this dream alive," he says.
"We do not claim to know it all or have all the answers. Our commitment and unalloyed penchant for excellence, professionalism and patriotism can only be made more meaningful with your support." Entries opened on February 15 and close on April 15, and forms are available on the Kora websites.
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