Over the weekend, the nominees for the 2012 Salax Awards were announced by Ikirezi group, the organisers of Rwanda's premier music awards.

New kid Ama-G The Black

Last year's best male artiste, King James, leads the pack with five nominations. Rapper Ama-G The Black is the main surprise as he' s nominated for Best Male Artist, Best Hip Hop Artist and Best New Artist.

Though the Salax Awards are in their 5th edition, this year is proving to be rough on the part of organisers as a big number of musicians have opted to withdraw their names from the awards.

Alpha Rwirangira, who is based in the US and nominated in the Diaspora Recognition category, was the first to pull out claiming he's not ready to take part.

Kitoko, Knowless, Dream Boys, Uncle Austin, Tom Close and Jay Polly have also withdrawn their names from the list yet there are rumors more artistes will pull out by March 9 when the event will be held.

The full list of nominees

1.Best Male Artiste

A. Ama-G The black

B. Kamichi

C. King James

D. Mani Martin

E. Urban Boys

2. Best Female Artiste

A. Allioni

B. Knowless

C. Paccy

D. Queen Cha

E. Young Grace

3.Best New Artiste

A. Allioni

B. Ama-G The Black

C. Bruce Melody

D. Jay -C

E. Queen Cha

4. Best Traditional Artiste

A. Daniel Ngarukiye

B. Indangamirwa

C. Intore Tuyisenge

D. Mani Martin

E. Mr Focus

5. Best Afro Beat

A. Kamichi

B. King James

C. Mico da Best

D. Senderi international Hits

E. Uncle Austin

6.Best Hip Hop Artiste

A. Ama-G The black

B. Bull Dogg

C. Fireman

D. Jay Polly

E. Riderman

7. Best RnB Artiste

A. Bruce Melody

B. Christopher

C. Knowless

D. Mani Martin

E. Tom Close

8. Best Gospel Artiste

A. Alarme Ministries

B. Bobo Bonfils

C. Dominic Nic

D. Pateint Bizimana

E. Tonzi

9.Best Group

A. Dream Boys

B. Just Family

C. TBB

D. TNP

E. Urban Boys

10. Song of the Year

A. Bagupfusha ubusa

B. Bibaye

C. Palapala

D. Take it off

E. Uruhinja

11. Best Album

A. Batatu ku rugamba - Urban Boys

B. Biracyaza - King James

C. My Destiny - Mani Martin

D. Ubumuntu - Kamichi

E. Uzambarize Mama - Dream Boys

12. Best Video

A. Bibaye

B. Byacitse

C. Komeza utsinde

D. My Destiny

E. Take it off

13. Diaspora recognition Award

A. Alpha Rwirangira - USA

B. Ben Kayiranga - France

C. Jali - Belgique

D. Meddy -USA

E. The ben