The nominees for the 7th annual Salax awards have been announced--and as usual, the list is full of familiar names.
The announcement was made at a gala dinner at Gusto Italiano Restaurant, Kimihurura on February 11. This year’s event is sponsored by StarTimes, and the grand finale is scheduled to be held on March 29. The venue has not been communicated.
Yvan Buravan leads the nomination pack with three nominations, Upcoming Artiste, Best R&B Artiste, and Best Male Artiste.
Salax Awards recognises artistes, producers, and showbiz players in different categories. Nominees represent diversity in achievement over the past three year.
The categories include Cultural and Traditional Artiste, Gospel Artiste, Upcoming Artiste, Best Group, Best Afro Beat Artiste, Best R&B Artiste, Best Hip-hop Artiste, Best Female Artiste and Best Male Artiste.
The exercise was based on how the artistes performed in the past three years, since the awards were postponed in 2016. Meanwhile, the top five finalists in each category, will be awarded Rwf100 000.
Some artistes have pulled out of the Awards, and Ahmed Pacifique, the CEO of Ahupa Digital Services, organisers of the event, told The New Times, that the event will only recognise those who will participate.
"It’s their right to pull out of the Awards, but for us we shall move on,” said Ahmed, adding: "We’re rebuilding something that had stopped three years ago… an event that recognises the achievements in the country’s music industry. We need to change such a mindset.”
Ahmed added that people will vote for their favourite artistes/ group either online (salaxawards.rw), social media platforms, or by SMS by typing (Salax space the code of artistes and send to 9092).
Contenders will also have time to campaign on television stations. Public voting will account for 40 per cent, and judges 60 per cent.
Below is the complete list of nominees:
Best culture and traditional artiste
Clarisse Karasira
Jules Sentore
Sophia Nzayisenga
Deo Munyakazi
Mani Martin
Best Gospel Artiste
Israel Mbonyi
Serge Iyamuremye
Aime Uwimana
Patient Bizimana
Gentil Bigizi
Upcoming artiste
Sintex
Buravan
Alyn Sano
Marina
Andy Bumuntu
Best Group
Just Family
The Same
Active
Tresor
Yemba Voice
Best AfrobeatArtiste
MC Tino
Danny Vumbi
Davis D
Uncle Austin
Mico The Best
Best R&B Artiste
Bruce Melodie
Yvery
Buravan
King James
Social Mula
Best Hip-hop Artiste
Bull Dogg
Jay C
Riderman
Khalfan
Ama G The Black
Best Female Artiste
Asinah Erra
Young Grace
Marina
Queen Cha
Alyn Sano
Best Male Artiste
Bruce Melodie
Israel Mbonyi
King James
Buravan
Riderman.
editorial@newtimes.co.rw