The Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs) in Botswana has received 1.45 million pula ($130 000) in sponsorship from Mascom, First National Bank of Botswana (FNBB) and the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development (MYSC) ahead of the awards ceremony on 25 September.
The money is expected to benefit more than 200 winners in 17 award categories. MYSC and FNBB contributed 800 000 and 500 000 pula, respectively, while telecommunications company Mascom sponsored 150 000 pula. The winners of the People’s Choice Artist of the Year and Song of the Year categories will receive 60 000 and 40 000 pula, respectively.
“Over 200 creatives such as musicians, dancers, instrumentalists, fashion designers, graphic designers and creative directors are expected to benefit from the money that we have received from our sponsors,” YAMAs project manager Percy Raditladi said. “This is the first time that we will have winners walking away with large sums of money such as 60 000 pula. This will be the first in the history of music awards in the country.
“As the event organisers, we appreciate that the sponsors have assisted our quest of developing the arts industry, especially during this COVID-19 era which has resulted in most artists losing their jobs.”
Meanwhile, the nominees of the 2021 Yarona FM Music Awards were announced in July.
Below is the full list of nominees:
Best Social Media
- William Last KRM
- Mjamaica
- Mdu Tha Party
- FME DJs
- Vee Mampeezy
Producer of the Year
- Flex The Ninja
- F.A.T
- Amobeatz
- MB On The Beat
- KD Bangers
- Thomas Chilume
- OBVDO
- Da Qutness
Best Pop Award
- ‘Call Me Back’ – Sal Angel
- ‘Good Life’ – Yaw Bannerman
- ‘Come Duze’ – DJ Cupid
- ‘Happy’ – Han-C
- ‘Falling’ – HHS
- ‘Tandira’ – Jinger Stone
- ‘No Pressure’ – Max Tokeyo
Best Newcomer Award
- Dintle on The Track
- Wada
- Blue Flame
- Shaba Stele
- Alain Bright
- Jinger Stone
Best Kwaito Award
- ‘Kwaito’ – T.H.A.B.O
- ‘Kutjo Kotja’ – Calabooz
- ‘Kwalata Tsa Katara’ – Eskimos
- ‘Chelete’ – Noello
- ‘Ngwana Wa Tshwenya’ – MMP Family
Best Dance Single Award
- ‘Diamond’ – DJ Benyboi and Da Quteness ft. Portia, Kammy and Mula Keys
- ‘U Touched Me’ – Nick Gift and Grazzi
- ‘Feature’ – Raul Bryan ft. Lee
- ‘Have You Ever’ – Lloyd FW ft. Priscilla
- ‘My Love’ – Chef Gustos ft. Dato Seiko
- ‘Wasted’ – Lesoul WaAfrika ft. Lee
Best Collabo Award
- ‘Ndeya’ – Flyboy Que
- ‘Bassline Remix’ – DK Kenn and Leano ft. Bobby Majest
- ‘Head Bangerz’ – Jay Dot
- ‘Rra Mathuba’ – Khoisan ft. Han-C
- ‘Skababawara’ – ATI ft. Veezo View
Best Hip Hop Award
- ‘Tinto’ – William Last KRM
- ‘More of Me’ – Luther October
- ‘Safari’ – Wndrszn
- ‘De Javu’ – Veezo View ft. Wndrszn
- ‘Head Bangerz’ – Jay Dot
- ‘Masoroto’ – Baxon
- ‘Negotiate’ – Ozi Teddy
Best DJ Award
- Bveranda HV Musique
- FME DJs
- Casper The DJ
- Hai Chang
- DJ Kenn
- Chrispin the Drummer
- Hapex Guru
- Ceedeea
Best Amapiano Award
- ‘Dibulele’ – La_Tonde and Names
- ‘Jebe Jebe’ – Da Quteness
- ‘Savanna’ – DJ Bino
- ‘iLifestyle’ – FME DJs ft. Lord T
- ‘No De Say’ – KD Bangers
- ‘Ke Bao’ – Shathi ft. Hunter and Wandipa
- ‘Phendula’ – DJ KSB ft. Juizee
- ‘Love Me’ – DJ Kops
Best R&B Single Award
- ‘Mojo’ – Rorisang
- ‘New Chapter’ – Thato Jessica
- ‘Hey Kalanga Girl’ – Shaba Stele
- ‘I’m The Boss’ – P’Jay ft. Kali Mija
- ‘Wet’ – Alain Bright
- ‘Private Party’ – Dintle on The Track
- ‘Wicked Hours’ – Jordan Moozey
Best Male Single Award
- ‘Safari’ – Wndrszn
- ‘De Javu’ – Veezo View ft. Wndrszn
- ‘Padipapi’ – Han-C
- ‘Tinto’ – William Last KRM
- ‘No De Say’ – KD Bangers ft. Bobby Majest
Best Female Single Award
- ‘New Chapter’ – Thato Jessica
- ‘Dumeleng’ – Mpho Sebina
- ‘Dreams’ – Ms Abbey
- ‘BMW’ – Girly
- ‘Sedidi’ – Amantle Brown
Song of the Year Award
- ‘Tinto’ – William Last KRM
- ‘Dibulele’ – La_Tonde and Names ft. Rati
- ‘iLifestyle’ – FME DJs ft. Lord T
- ‘Itsatsaula’ – Han-C ft. Charma Gal
People’s Choice Artist of the Year
- Veezo View
- William Last KRM
- ATI
- Han-C
- Khoisan
Source: Ano Shumba / music in Africa
