Awards Buzz: Chiddy Bang reaches for BET Hip Hop Awards; JJC, Banky W, Psquare for MOBOs Awards (+ SMVA releases list of nominees)
 

by ‘Damilola Oyedele

 

Through the year the Nigerian-American duo, Chiddy Bang, whose music style is a fusion of hip-hop and alternative, has gotten great reviews from around the world. Hip-hop heavyweights Jay Z, Kanye West and Kid Cudi have given the group a nod of approval, and now, to put a crown on it all, they’ve been nominated for a BET Hip-Hop award!

 

Chiddy Bang consists of rapper Chidera “Proto” Anamege and Noah Beresin aka Xaphoon, who combine hard hitting lyricism and jazz influenced production to produce a unique sound. They are set to digitally release The Preview album early in October, a prequel to their forthcoming debut album, The Swelly Life. The prequel will feature Pharrell, Q-Tip and Darwin Deez. The duo, who have been described as “the coolest thing since the Cool Kids”, is nominated for Rookie of the Year alongside Nicki Minaj, J. Cole, Roscoe Dash and Waka Flocka Flame. 

The 2010 BET Hip Hop Awards will hold on October 12th, 2010.

 

And on another wavelength, JJC, the Nigerian born rapper, producer, songwriter and the pioneer of the UK Afro-pop sound, who is best known for the chant “Africans, awooo!” from his hit

We are Africans, has been fittingly nominated under the MOBO Awards category ‘Best African Act’, one which is exclusively voted for by the public. There are 15 nominees, and only 5 will make the shortlist – based on votes.

 

Also nominated for the category are twice-nominated Psquare and Banky W. Nigerian artistes 2face Idibia, Nneka and 9ice have won the award in the past.

 

The MOBO Awards is celebrating its 15th year, and the fact that it has “helped champion the extraordinary rise of urban music over from niche to now leading the UK charts, and will celebrate the cream of British artists from the past year at its star-studded ceremony in Liverpool, on October 20th”.

 

And back home, Nigeria’s own Soundcity Music Channel has also released its list of nominees for the 2010 edition of the Soundcity Music Video Awards (SMVAs). Banky W stays true to his ‘Capabilities’, as he tops the list with six nominations, including Music Video of the Year. Psquare comes in as a close second, and other nominees include Da Grin, Wande Coal, Sasha and Omawumi. JJC also makes an appearance here as a nominee for Best Collaboration in a Music Video. 

The SMVAs aim to shine a light on the artistes, directors and producers of exceptional music videos all around the continent. The ceremony will hold on the 20th of November at the Expo Hall of the Eko Hotel in Lagos.

 

So, like Oprah would say: it’s time to Vote! Vote! Vote!