LEISURE : The Salax Awards were genuine

Music history was in the making on 4th June, last Friday night as the Salax awards show was happening. For beginners, Salax Awards are annual multi talent awards to achievers in local music, comedy and sports. This year’s event was the second of their kind, the first having been in 2008 at the National University of Rwanda (NUR)-Butare. The 2008 awards were characterized by controversial decisions with organizers awarding unknown artists the likes of Liza, Princess W Jenia and Dr Jack. Most of the favourite nominees, the likes of Theo Uwiringiyimana and Shanel went back home empty handed.After several postponements and fans becoming sick with anxiety, Friday finally came and all roads led to Petite Stade for the show. People imagined a gig locked by controversy like it has been the practice in most awards around town. Others pictured the Police driving them away in the middle of the show for chaos of late hour noise, after paying Frw10000 for VIP or their 3000 for the regulars. But guess what, they were wrong. Sports Minister Joe Habizena officially opened the gig with the venue Petit Stade already filling up. The organizers were time sensitive throughout, one fact that was fading in Rwandan shows. Famed artists Miss JoJo, The Ben and Kitoko and many others spiced up the show with live performances, though they were let down by a dead sound system. Honoured guests presented the awards to their winners alternating with performances. Lil Ngabo was awarded Best Teen which he absolutely deserved. This 13 year-old has often brought life to boring gigs with his super performances, not to mention, his hard work in 2009. Diplomat winning the competitive ‘hip-hop’ category and Meddy taking home the ‘Best song’ award for his Amayobera was another fair play. The Salax Awards did not leave out Kitoko and dancehall belle, Miss JoJo who used 2009 as a dramatic comeback to win the ‘Best Female artist’ award. However controversy came back when Tom Close scooped the ‘Best Album’ award for ‘Sibeza’ album.Critics maintain The Ben’s “Amahirwe Yanyuma” and Meddy’s late comer “Amayobera” album had more hits on radio and a finer production than Tom who was a double winner that night. It was time for another competitive category, and Urban Boys were crowned the 2009 “Best group” as ‘Just Family’ and ‘Dream Boys’. I remember one of my interviewees at the show asking, “Is it their one song “Sindiryarya” that makes them win an award?” The long awaited moment of naming the “Artist of the Year” was drawing nearer. Meddyyy….Meddyyy, all their fans screamed, banging walls as the winner was announced, “The… Bennnn” was crowned the new king. Meddy’s fans have all the reason to bicker at the result but they should bear in mind that he hit the music scene in June, mid year. The Ben on the other hand dominated airwaves from January, though he slowed down towards the end of the year, disappearing in 2010. The colourful gig ended at around 10.00 pm with the organizer’s word. He promised that next ‘Salax Awards’ would consider other East African states. We can’t wait to see Chameleon, Wahu or Nameless awarded here. Ends