They walked away the biggest winners of the night after scooping four awards in 2013 Salax Awards in a colourful ceremony at Kigali Serana Hotel on Saturday.Beating off stiff competition from King James, Urban Boys took the ‘Artiste of the Year’ award, along with three others to emerge the biggest winners during the MTN-sponsored awards organised by Ikirezi Group.Clad in colourful shorts and stripped coats, complete with smoking pipes and walking sticks, the ‘Swag boys’ as they prefer to be called, scooped the ‘Best Group’, ‘Best Video’ and ‘Best Male Artiste’ awards.In fact, they can claim to have won five accolades since they also feature on Bagupfusha Ubusa -- the winner of the ‘Song of the Year’ award. Apart from Urban Boys, only King James and Ama G The Black were the only people to win more than one award.King James claimed the highly competitive ‘Best Afrobeat Artiste’ award, brushing off rivalry from Kamichi, Senderi, Elion Victory and Mico da Best.Rapper Ama G The Black, whose supportive mother was in the crowd, emerged the surprise winner of the evening, taking the ‘Best New Artiste’ award and the ‘Best Rapper’. The Amarira y’Uruhinja singer proved why he is a new force to reckon with in the hip hop genre.There were newly introduced awards including the ‘Best Audio Producer’ which went to Clément Ashimwe of Kina Music, while ‘Best Video Producer’ went to Bernard Bagenzi.According to Emma Claudine, the CEO of Ikirezi Group, these categories were not voted for directly but the choices were made basing on how their productions were nominated and how they won. The artiste of the year was also not voted for but it was given basing on the same criteria.The awards ceremony featured performances from a number of artistes, new and old, including Ben Kayiranga, Edouce, Ama G The Black and Zizou Al Pacino, with the entire Bagupfusha Ubusa crew. Gospel was also not left out with Patience Bizimana and Theo Uwiringiyimana commonly known as Bose Babireba performed. There was also a red carpet session prior to the awards ceremony itself.The guest of honour, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and ICT, Rosemary Mbabazi, called upon artistes to uphold dignity and focus on composing music that is vital for the society."Music can be used to send important messages to the society especially the youth. I encourage our musicians to do music that is important to the society. For example you should use music to urge the youth to shun drugs,” Mbabazi said.The organisers, Ikirezi Group, commended the sponsors for enabling the 2013 Salax Awards to take place. Despite challenges in the beginning, the awards went on well and attracted a good crowd.Below we bring you the list of the nominees and winners for the awards in different categories.Best Male Artiste

Ama G The backKamichi King JamesMani martinUrban Boyz – WINNERBest Female Artiste

AllioniKnowless – WINNERPaccyQueen ChaYoung GraceBest New Artiste

AllioniAma-G The Black – WINNERBruce MelodyJay -CQueen ChaBest Male Artiste

Ama G The backKamichiKing JamesMani martinUrban Boyz – WINNERBest Traditional Artiste

Daniel NgarukiyeIndangamirwaIntore TuyisengeMani Martin – WINNERMr FocusBest Afrobeat Artiste

KamichiKing James – WINNERMico da BestSenderi International HitsElion VictoryBest Hip-hop Artiste

Ama-G The Black – WINNERBull DogFiremanPaccyRidermanBest R&B Artiste

Bruce Melody – WINNERChristopherKnowlessMani MartinG-BruceBest Gospel Artiste

Alarm Ministries – WINNERBobo BonfilsDominic NicPatient BizimanaTonziBest Group

B GunJust FamilyTBBTNPUrban Boys – WINNERSong of The Year

Bagupfusha – WINNER BibayePalapalaTake it offUruhinjaBest Album

Batatu ku Rugamba by Urban BoysBiracyaza by King James – WINNERMy Destiny by Mani MartinUbumuntu by KamichiIntero y’Amahoro by Mani MartinBest Video

Bibaye – WINNERByacitseNzaba MpariMy DestinyTake it OffDiaspora Recognition Award

OG The General (Beligium)Ben Kayiranga (U.S.A) Jali (Belgique)Meddy (U.S.A)The Ben (U.S.A) – WINNER