Kenyan man-band Sauti Sol head to Lagos, Nigeria this weekend after they were chosen as one of three acts to perform at the first ever AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
Bien-Aime Baraza, Willis Chimano, Delvin Mudigi and Polycarp Otieno will cross the skies from East to West Africa tomorrow for a Saturday gig alongside the legendary Femi Kuti and Nigerian Belle Chidinma.
Sauti Sol has been riding the Kenyan charts since they released the track Lazizi from their first album in 2009. Their journey has not been without stardom, which is even more evident now in their freshest melodies, like Gentleman and Money Lover.
There are no words that can befit Femi Kuti’s stage presence. His performances are rarely scripted and his entourage of a band was the very same that played for his late larger-than-life father Fela. Femi is known for tracks like Beng Beng Beng, Africa for Africa, Day by Day and Truth Don Die.
The demure and delicate Chidinma meanwhile lets the cat out with a voice so big it could swallow her up – whole.
The first AMVCA awards are designed to be a night of glam, and before the musical ensemble will be a one-hour session on the red carpet featuring interviews done by another bunch of Kenyans i.e. Nic Wang’ondu and Sarah Hassan of M-Net Lifestyle TV show Mashariki Mix.
Also on the red carpet will be the eccentric high-heeled wearing Channel O VJ Denrele Edun, presenters Helen Paul and Uti Nwachukwu of Jara, Dolapo Oni and Eku Edewor from 53 Extra, and Lawrence Maleka of the E-news type show StarGist.
Veteran Kenyan actress Lizz Njagah will be one of the several guest presenters at the three hour do, which is intended to create space for African Films to shine.
Considering the little space movies from this continent get on the global arena, it only makes sense to have a specific awards ceremony to cater for the vast field of talent displayed in the hundreds of productions that are released every year.
M-Net Africa Managing Director Biola Alabi believes: “The AfricaMagic team has been…working hard to make it an unforgettable, inspiring celebration of African film success and TV talent. It’s our way of showing just how much we value what our artists, both in front of and behind the scenes, contribute to our lives and the lives of our audiences.”
Hosted by Big Brother’s IK Osakioduwa and StarGist leading lady Vimbai Muntinhiri, the event will also have Desmond Elliot, Genevieve Nnaji, Majid Michel, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Rita Dominic as guest presenters.
Watch the Awards ceremony at the EKO Hotel live on Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv, to see if they match up to an Oscar event for the continent.