tiyani maluleke phash ratshilumela idah … waw w 2016 waw w 2016 6 timeless songs are arguably our...

2Wawela Music Awards 2016

Wawela Music Awards Acknowledgements

GM Marketing:

TIYANI MALULEKE

Content & Communication Specialist:

PHASH RATSHILUMELA

Awards Coordinator:

IDAH RAMOLOTO

Design & Layout:

LATTITUDE GROUP

For more information about the upcoming Wawela Music Awards

call SAMRO on 011 712 8505 or email: [email protected]

WawelaMusicAwards

WawelaMusic

wawelamusicawards

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3 4Wawela Music Awards 2016 Wawela Music Awards 2016

01 CEO Foreword

03 Chairperson Letter

05 2016 Wawela Music

Awards Nominees

06 Nominees

07 Special Award Nominees

08 2016 Wawela Music Awards

winners announced

10 Winners

11 Nominee Profiles

13 2016 Wawela Music Awards Nominees

& Winners Contact Details

CONTENTS

Rev Abe Sibiya

TIMELESS SONGS ARE ARGUABLY OUR GREATEST CREATIVE LEGACY.


Timeless songs are arguably our greatest

creative legacy. Look at the wealth of memorable hits

produced over the years by sons and daughters of the

South African soil: Caiphus Semenya, Hugh Masekela,

Miriam Makeba, Bright Blue, Johnny Clegg, Lucky Dube, Arno Carstens… the list goes on and on. These

are songs that compete with the best in the world.

Rev Abe SibiyaActing CEO: SAMROCEO

FORWARDIt was a bittersweet occasion paying homage to songwriter, composer and producer Gabi le Roux for his prolific catalogue of work, as it was only a few weeks earlier that his friend Mandoza had died of cancer. Le Roux produced the late kwaito star’s crossover smash hit Nkalakatha.

In her 70s but as elegant and glamorous as ever, grand dame of cabaret Abigail Kubeka received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Wawelas. This singer-songwriter was part of the golden era of South African jazz in the 1950s and 1960s, and still performs regularly.

Another cultural icon, Zimbabwe’s Oliver Mtukudzi, who is regarded as one of Southern Africa’s most treasured musical sons, was given the Breaking Through the Borders Award. Who could forget his heartfelt Neria from the movie of the same name?

All three of these music titans are a shining example of how to forge a career as a music creator – it’s no walk in the park, to be sure, but their legacy lies their incredible canon of work that they will leave for future generations to bask in and enjoy.

And they all arise from a spark of inspiration, some might even say genius, that’s hard to define and maddeningly elusive to harness. If only we could bottle it and sell it!

SAMRO wants to encourage our talented music creators to craft more such iconic songs – the type that form the soundtrack to the pivotal moments in our lives. Therefore, as a vehicle to reward the art and craft of songwriting, composition and music production, we hope the Wawela Music Awards will grow organically to become one of the most prized and sought-after accolades in our industry.

As a composer and producer myself, I know that crafting your own material requires dedication, hard work, persistence, concentration and often frustration… in addition to that spark of inspiration. It doesn’t come easily.

We know how strenuous the creative process can be, and this is why it gave us so much joy this year to honour three industry icons whose body of work has contributed immeasurably to enriching the fabric of South African music.


Sibongile KhumaloActing Chairperson of the SAMRO Board

That catchy TV commercial jingle that sticks in your head all day, that film soundtrack that washes over your senses and makes you connect deeply with the unfolding story… often, these are compositions by people you’ve never heard of. They are making a living out of creating inspiring music, yet for the most part they remain incognito.

CHAIRPERSON’SLETTER

WE CELEBRATED AN ARRAY OF GLITTERING MUSIC MAKERS – FROM THE WELL-KNOWN TO THE EMERGING, FROM THE LEGENDS TO THE STALWARTS, ACROSS SEVERAL GENRES.

The Wawela Music Awards (WMAs), now in their fourth year, are slowly but surely chipping away at that reality. With so many awards out there recognising performing artists, SAMRO, being an association of songwriters and composers, thought it only logical that the brains behind the microphones should also be celebrated.

As a music creator myself, I fully applaud this initiative. Music feeds a nation’s collective soul, and encouraging the process of conjuring new. Original work is vital if we want our people’s stories to keep being told and their inner rhythms given voice.

Just because the profile of those behind the scenes is often lower than that of those basking in the spotlight, it doesn’t mean that their contribution is of any less value.

This is why, at this year’s WMAs, we celebrated an array of glittering music makers – from the well-known to the emerging, from the legends to the stalwarts, across several genres. Let’s look at two musicians who each received two Wawelas this year as cases in point.

Nik Sakellarides, for one, has been writing music for the film and television industry in South Africa and the United States for some 26 years, and has recently been producing original scores for local theatre and ballet productions too. He is highly regarded within the industry, but few in the outside world pause to think about the creative genius behind those memorable jingles.

Then you get someone like young jazz musician Benjamin Jephta, whose star is certainly on the rise. Before he clinched two WMAs for Songwriter of the Year and Best Male Artist and Composer, this whizz on the electric bass and double bass was named runner-up in the SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition. A few weeks later, Jephta was crowned 2017 Standard Bank Young Artist for jazz. His is clearly a name to watch, and SAMRO is proud to be a partner in his music development and evolution as he charts ever-higher creative trajectories.


The Wawela Music Awards (WMAs) burst onto the stage in 2013 and since then, nothing has been able to stop their meteoric rise! The WMAs are officially recognised as a dazzling highlight on the music industry calendar.

Wawela means “go beyond” and that’s exactly what these awards have done so far! They’ve attracted more big name winners than anyone ever thought possible and have surprised SA by unearthing the country’s newest composing and songwriting talent! They’ve surpassed even SAMRO’s expectations of success! In word and deed, the WMAs have smashed through the boundaries and gone beyond to deliver recognition to SAMRO’s outstanding musical maestros!

So what makes the WMAs so different? Well, while

other awards solely celebrate the performers of musical works, the WMAs are the only awards in South Africa to acknowledge the people behind the creation of the music that shapes our world and is the soundtrack of our lives! These are the composers, songwriters and publishers of music who work behind the stage as well as on it! The WMAs were exclusively created to showcase the creative talent of SAMRO members whose amazing talent is celebrated both at home and abroad.

To date a pantheon of SA music creators has graced the WMAs stage with stunning performances, showcasing their composing and songwriting talent to the world.

The awards are proudly brought to you by SAMRO and are exclusively open to all SAMRO members.

ABOUT WAWELA MUSIC AWARDS


NOMINEES SPECIAL AWARDSBest Soundtrack in a Feature Film or Theatric Documentary

ALUN RICHARDSNIK SAKELLARIDESBENJAMIN WILLEM

Best Song or Composition in a Television Production

ORANGOTANG MUSICJOE NIEMANDBENJAMIN WILLEM

Best Song or Composition in a Television Commercial

THE SOILALUN RICHARDSADAM HOWARD

Best Song or Composition in a Radio Commercial

NIK SAKELLARIDESLOUIS ENSLINADAM HOWARD

Best Creative Album of the Year

MALEH WOUTER KELLERMANJACK PAROW

Songwriter of the Year

BENJAMIN JEPHTATEBOGOLINDIWE MAXOLO

Best South African Duo or Group

BEATENBERGTHE SOILBLACK MOTION

Best Male Artist & Composer/Co Composer

BENJAMIN JEPHTAZOLA SOULFABIAN SING

Best Female Artist & Composer

LINDIWE MAXOLOMALEH NAIMA KAY

Prolific Catalogue of Works

GABI LE ROUXLifetime Achievement Award

ABIGAIL KUBEKABreaking through the Borders

OLIVER MTUKUDZI


EDITOR’S NOTE

It is hard to believe that the WMAs have come this far! Not so long ago, we were planning to host the very first edition of the awards and today we on the fourth instalment.

On Friday, 7 October 2016, we announced the winners of the Wawela Music Awards at a glitzy event held at the Wanderers Club in Illovo, Johannesburg. The event was attended by nominees, industry stakeholders, government officials, SAMRO members as well as members of the SAMRO Board and its subsidiaries.

The event was a true demonstration of how local sound has matured - with the new generation of music composers, lyricists and songwriters proving that they are ready to carry on the legacy left behind by industry greats of yesteryear.

With the 2016 WMAs, we were once again able to put a spotlight on some of the best talents we have in South Africa. We congratulate all nominees and winners. We look forward to celebrating your soaring talent with the rest of Mzansi. We look forward to hosting another successful event in 2017.

GENERAL MANAGER: MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

TIYANI MALULEKE


Best Soundtrack in a Feature Film or Theatric Documentary

NIK SAKELLARIDES

Best Song or Composition in a Television Production

BENJAMIN WILLEM

Best Song or Composition in a Television Commercial

THE SOIL

Best Song or Composition in a Radio Commercial

NIK SAKELLARIDES

Best Creative Album of the Year

MALEH

Songwriter of the Year

BENJAMIN JEPHTA

Best South African Duo or Group

BEATENBERG

Best Male Artist & Composer/Co Composer

BENJAMIN JEPHTA

Best Female Artist & Composer

LINDIWE MAXOLO

SPECIAL AWARDSWINNERS

STANDARD AWARDS WINNERS

Prolific Catalogue of Works

GABI LE ROUXLifetime Achievement Award

ABIGAIL KUBEKABreaking through the Borders

OLIVER MTUKUDZI


NOMINATED FOR:BEST SONG OR COMPOSITION IN A TELEVISION COMMERCIAL

BEST SONG OR COMPOSITION IN A RADIO COMMERCIAL

NOMINATED FOR:BEST SOUNDTRACK

IN A FEATURE FILM OR THEATRIC

DOCUMENTARY

BEST SONG OR COMPOSITION

IN A TELEVISION COMMERCIAL

HOWARD RICHARDSADAMALUN

Alun Richards is one of South Africa’s most prolific score composers, having jot in excess of over 6000

television commercials thus far.

Richards is the founder of Kwazi Mojo Media and Cut & Paste Generation. Cut & Paste Generation was

established in 1995 and has become one of South Africa’s most awarded and prolific music composition

and licensing companies for film, TV, gaming and commercials.

Adding to his success, Richards is also a founding investor and director of Bladeworks Post Production facilities - a leading player in high end post facilities in the country. He is also a shareholder and director

of the Waterfront Film Studios based at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.

Richards has won a gamut of international awards for original music composition and sound design,

including Cannes Grand Prix, Clio, The One Club, Silver Pencil DnAD’s, LIAA and Loerie awards.

He has composed scores for a number of Films including, Number 10 (2005), Dollars & White Pipes

(2006), Lullabye (2007) and Discreet (2009).

Adam Howard is an acclaimed score composer who is best known for his work in television, film, and advertising. He holds a classical music degree from the world famous Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

Freshly Ground, Loyiso Bala, Mbongeni Ngema, Sibongile Khumalo, Steve Hofmeyer, Brenda Fassie, Danny K, Mafikozolo and Watershed are just some of the names he has composed, arranged and produced for.

In 2010, he orchestrated the film White Lion with Phillip Miller. He also formed the Johannesburg Big Band in 2011 which features the best jazz and session musicians in South Africa.

He regularly conducts the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra where he is an in-demand musical director. Until not so long ago, Howard was a principal trumpet player for the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra.

In 2012, Howard was asked to be a musical for the acclaimed South African fine artist, William Kentridge’s Refuse the Hour – an avant-garde chamber opera that mainly tours the world.

His production company, Howard Music has won several awards for music in adverts, including a Clio and Silver Loerie. He has served clients such as TBWA Hunt Lascaris, Draft FCB, Young & Rubicam, Ogilvy, JWT and the Metropolitan Republic.

He performed at the 2010 FIFA World Cup “kick-off” concert with the likes of Alicia Keys, John Legend, Hugh Masekela and Angelique Kidjo.


NOMINATED FOR:BEST SOUNDTRACK

IN A FEATURE FILM OR THEATRIC

DOCUMENTARY

NOMINATED & WINNER FOR:

BEST SONG OR COMPOSITION

IN A TELEVISION PRODUCTION

NOMINATED FOR:SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

NOMINATED & WINNER FOR:BEST FEMALE ARTIST & COMPOSER

From playing the piano at just 8 years old, talented composer Benjamin Willem has a number of musical accomplishments under his belt. He has completed 16 cinema released feature films and composed music that goes over 50 hours, worth of productions that have been performed in 63 territories around the globe.

Willem studied bachelors in Music Composition at WITS University where he also lectured briefly. In his second year of studying at WITS, the talented pianist had taken on his first professional job as a music composer.

Shortly after completing the studies, Willem wrote his first score and this set him on course to becoming a major music composer for film and television. In 2003, Willem worked as a part time lecture in music technology at his former university. It was in 2004 that he started his own music production company and later opened an audio post production facility with his long-time colleague, Basiami Segola.

As a score composer, Willem has been involved in a number of award-winning projects including the documentary, The Last Lioness and trailer for Sho’t Left. He has also received a number of awards nominations for his work including the score for Pad na Jou Hart at the Silverskerm film festival and best music nomination for On the Shoulders of Giants. He was also nominated in three categories for 2015 South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs).

Lindiwe Maxolo has for some years now been working very hard towards establishing herself as a force to be reckoned. Maxolo holds an honours degree in Jazz Music (Cum Laude) from the University of Cape Town. In 2002 she won the Afro Vocal category at the Old Mutual Jazz Encounters Competition.

The talented singer released her debut album, “Time” in 2012. This release secured her a nomination for Best Jazz Album at the 2013 South African Music Awards (SAMAs), Best African Jazz Album at the 2014 South African Traditional Music Awards (SATMAs) and Best Creative Album of the Year at the 2014 Wawela Music Awards. She has also won the Women in Jazz category at the 2014 Mbokodo Awards.

Maxolo has shared the stage with Celebrated Musicians such as Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour, Magnus Lindgran, Sibongile Khumalo, Themba Mkhize, Gloria Bosman and feya.

Expanding her horizons, the songstress is also part of a group called Three Steps Within, which she formed with talented musicians, McCoy Mrubata and Concord Nkabinde.

WILLEM MAXOLOLINDIWEBENJAMIN


ENSLINLOUIS

NOMINATED FOR:BEST SONG OR COMPOSITION IN A RADIO COMMERCIAL

NOMINATED & WINNER FOR:BEST SOUNDTRACK IN A FEATURE FILM OR THEATRIC DOCUMENTARY

NOMINATED & WINNER FOR: BEST SONG OR COMPOSITION IN A RADIO COMMERCIAL

There’s no substitute for good work. Louis Enslin is an award winning sound engineer with over 20 years

of experience in live sound, studio recording, music production, jingle composition and post production.

The beginnings of Louis’ sterling career can be tracked back to theatre where he worked as a front

of house engineer for a theatrical company while studying sound in 2000.

After relocating to the Refinery in 2004, the talent bought the company Produce Sound, previously

owned by Hugh and Sherry Bush. Louis later opened a 3 studio facility in 2012.

In the 4 years that the Wawela Music Awards have been held, Enslin has been nominated every single time. This accomplished composer has a number of

awards to his name and has also worked on many award-winning projects.

Amongst other accolades Enslin has credits for include Loeries, Vuka (TAG) and Promax, Cannes

Gold Lion.

Born in Pietermaritzburg, Composer Nik Sakellarides spent his formative years in small towns in KZN.

Under the name Nikki Saks he scored countless radio and TV jingles for brands such as Tiger Wheel and Tyre – which some are still running, 20 years later. He has also composed some defining Channel themes and station identity for MNET’s – Won’t Stop the Magic At All, SuperSport’s Channel of Champions, KTV – Kids with An attitude, Orkney Snork Nie (Season 1), Network (NEWS/SABC) amongst many others.After completing the theme music for the historic 1994 elections for SABC, he followed a childhood dream and relocated to the USA and settled in Atlanta. Highlights of his time in the states include doing work for Mc Canns on Coca Cola commercials and the theme for CNN’s World Beat – a weekly world music program.

Not for the feint hearted Sakellarides spent over 5 years in Hollywood discovering the true nature of the “dream” factory. He fed his enduring passion for film scoring with on-going study. He made significant strides into defining his hybrid sound, which combines traditional orchestral sounds with a strong digital electronic and sample-based palette.

SAKELLARIDESNIK


Acclaimed songwriter and international performing artist, Joe Niemand’s soothing vocals and breath-taking melodies are the

golden thread throughout his expertly crafted work.

After starting out in theatre and winning Crescendo in 2002, Niemand went on and

recorded his first Afrikaans album “Vir Hom, Aan Haar”. Follow up projects from this

humble beginning include, “Reborn”, “This Is War”, “Glory To The King”, “Ek Sal Nie

Bang Wees Nie”, “Back Again” and his latest offering “Vryheid”.

His albums have brought him critical acclaim, prestigious awards and have

been heard all over the world. His take on music ranges from acoustic, orchestral and

cinematic in sonic scale.

NIEMANMUSICJOEORANGOTANG

NOMINATED FOR:BEST SONG OR COMPOSITION IN A TELEVISION PRODUCTION

NOMINATED FOR:BEST SONG OR COMPOSITION

IN A TELEVISION PRODUCTION

Orangotang Music was launched in 2009 by two great friends, Andrew Baird and Colin Vincent. Over the past 6 years, the duo has worked with top directors, agencies and production houses - both locally and internationally.

Their compositions and productions have reached all corners of the industry from the big screen to mobile; film scores to mnemonics; stage to TV shows.

Proving that they have what it takes to be in the industry, the two have scooped a number of awards along their music journey.

These creative individuals have also had the privilege of working with some of the best local artists like Claire Johnston, Kabelo, Lloyd Cele, Blackbyrd, Connel Cruise and Elvis Blue.


Meet The Soil, a 3-member acapella singing group whose music can be best described as ‘Kasi Soul’.

The Soil strives to fuse their voices to deliver melodic and harmonious messages that are aimed at uplifting, and healing souls.

A township acapella group, never formally trained and cannot read a music note has proved that if talent is neutered well, it can blossom and become a real deal. Marking their entry in the mainstream music industry, the group made an impact when it performed at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

Known for performing with no support of musical instruments, the trio has always find a way of capturing the audience through their irresistible compositions.

The group’s musical style is well showcased when the three combine their talents – rhythmic vocal bass line, continuous beat boxing and choral music vocal style. Equivalent and certainly up to the challenge, individually, the group members take shots in solo vocal presentation, displaying their excellent verses implanted in each song.

This isn’t your typical fairy-tale with a hopeful promise of a “forever after”, but the story of a young woman destined to be one of the next big singing talents to come out of Africa.

Maleh began her musical journey in the heart of the majestic mountain kingdom of Lesotho where she was born and raised. The songstress’ professional singing career took off during her final high school year, when she joined Afro pop group Kaya. The group released its debut album “Kunzima” and won 2005 Metro FM Music Awards Best Newcomer.

After this short stint with Kaya, the talented vocalist left to further her studies at a film college in Johannesburg where she majored in Cinematograph.

It was only when Maleh began working for events production companies as an event coordinator that

she got an insight on how some of her idol artists performed on stage. Having dedicated a few years to discovering the realities of the music world from behind the scenes, it would not be long till the stage became her playground once again.

Commenting on working backstage at one of South Africa’s most prominent jazz festivals, Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, she said: “I was most inspired by artists like Chriss Botti and Lalah Hathaway when they performed. I knew that getting back on the stage and reviving my singing career was what I needed to do if I was to find purpose in my life.”

After deciding to forsake the corporate environment, the talent was soon to be heard on the airwaves on collaborations with DJ Qness on the song Uzongilinda and ‘Time’, DJ Ganyani - ‘Not so Far’, and on the international hit ‘Falling’ which she worked on with DJ Kent.

In a search to find her own identity Maleh has spent time working on a sound that would be the authentic representation of her true spirit and she continues doing so years after making her initial mark in the mainstream industry.

SOIL THE

MALEHNOMINATED &

WINNER FOR:BEST SONG OR COMPOSITION

IN A TELEVISION COMMERCIAL

NOMINATED FOR:BEST SOUTH AFRICAN

DUO OR GROUP

NOMINATED &WINNER FOR:BEST CREATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR

NOMINATED FOR:BEST FEMALE ARTIST & COMPOSER


BEATENBERG PAROW

JACKBorn in Cape Town, Zander Tyler is known

as Jack Parow, the unusual Afrikaans rapper. Contrary to popular belief, his wild-fire

success did not happen overnight. Jack Parow started out rapping with crews from the

Cape Flats and has been at it for over a decade.

Like any other kid growing up, Jack Parow had studied to be a mechanic but had no

luck with employment. As a result, he would take on jobs like packing fish in Cape Town to support his rap habit. Performing only for

a beer and pizza soon changed when his collaboration with Die Heuwels Fantasties on

the track, ‘Die Vraagstuk’ put him in the limelight.

n 2009 Jack Parow released his first self-titled full-length album that struck gold within two

weeks of its release and went platinum within a year. Adding to his list of achievements, the popular rapper has headlined major festivals

in South Africa and toured Europe.

Jack Parow’s second album, “Eksie Ou” released in November 2011 reached Gold

status within 4 months of its release. A highlight from this release was the first single, ‘Hosh Tokolosh’ - an Afrikaans song to reach

Number 1 on 5FM’s Top 40.

Outsiders may find it hard to believe that some of the most sublimely crafted pop music of the twenty first century has emerged from South Africa. After all, the country is mostly known for exporting culturally-rooted world sounds.

But when Beatenberg released its debut album, the band made a plan to panel beat music that cannot be described as a South African infused sound. In the process of doing this, the Cape Town-based three piece - Matthew Field (vocals and guitar), Robin Brink (drums) and Ross Dorkin (bass) delivered a uniquely processed sound that effortlessly owns mainstream pop.

On its release in 2014, “The Hanging Gardens” became a showcase of what the group can do beyond their comfort zone. At other times, the band’s uncontainable musical appetite showed itself in the traces of other genres that emerged in reggae and mbaqanga.

It’s also no mystery why Beatenberg has caught the attention of a growing number of international players, most prominently Mumford & Sons.

Arising out of a support slot on Mumford’s 2016 South African tour, Beatenberg is featured (along with Babaa Maal and The Very Best) on two tracks on the British band’s EP.

Against this backdrop, it would not be overstating things to suggest that Beatenberg is poised for an international breakthrough. Indeed, there’s every reason to believe that Field, Dorkin and Brink will be South Africa’s first global pop success of the twenty first century – and that they will do this on the back of a sound that’s rooted in their home country’s indigenous styles but is unfailingly moving forward to the future.

NOMINATED &WINNER FOR:BEST SOUTH AFRICAN DUO OR GROUP

NOMINATED FOR:BEST CREATIVE

ALBUM OF THE YEAR


SOUL ZOLA

SING FABIAN

NOMINATED FOR:BEST MALE ARTIST & COMPOSER/CO COMPOSER

Zola Futshane best known as ZolaSoul is an afro-soul artist known for his soulfulness. In 2014, he released his first album, “Thando Lokwenene” through Lexido Projects record label.

The musician has been singing since his primary school days and his love for music could be traced back to his hometown of New Brighton in Port Elizabeth.

In 2006, the talent left his hometown for Johannesburg in quest for greener pastures. While at the city of gold, ZolaSoul started taking guitar lessons and would attend music sessions to test his singing ability.

It was through his industry involvement that he ended up working with R&B and neo-soul musician and producer, Afrotraction. Impressed by ZolaSoul’s musical prowess, the popular musician ended up producing most songs on “Thando Lokwenee”.

Commenting on the project, the artist said his debut album consists of songs he wrote himself and those jotted by industry friends. On the album, he also worked with Sisa Sopazi, Mavo Solomon, Luyanda Madope and Mkhululi Ngwenda.

When on stage, ZolaSoul performs with a live band consisting of Johan Mthethwa on keys, Lex Futshane on bass, Tlale Makhene on percussion, Cameron Ward on guitar, Jonny Vilakazi, Lucky Ndaba and Vusi Gcabashe as backing vocalists.

NOMINATED FOR:BEST MALE ARTIST & COMPOSER/CO COMPOSER

Fabian Sing is a South African music composer for film, TV and Video Games. He is most known for his work writing original compositions for TV Commercials.

Sing is an emotive songwriter bringing a theatrical and epic elements to his scoring. In a very short time, he has composed scores for three films: Blood Lions, Bomlambo and Expiration, as well as the scores for three TV dramas: Mshika Shika, Room 9 and Thola.

Along with producing radio hits for various artists, he is also the Music Director for the annual Comics Choice Awards. His highly

motivated approach to his work has seen him composing music for clients such as Coca Cola, KFC, Cocopops, Toyota, Nandos, Wimpy, FHM, The Fox Crime Network and SABC.

In 2011, Sing received his first feature film commission to provide the score for the South African horror movie Rancid.

In the past, Sing has been nominated for two South African Music Awards (SAMA) for Best Engineer and Best Alternative Album.


TEBOGO MOTLHABI AKA THE

KAY BUDDA NAIMANOMINATED FOR:

BEST FEMALE ARTIST &

COMPOSER

Afro-jazz sensation, Lungile Khumalo known by her stage name Naima Kay, is a 2014 South African Music Awards (SAMA) Best Newcomer

winner. But where did it all begin?Naima Kay started singing in high school and was

a member of Ingwemabala High School Choir. “While all my friends were going crazy about

kwaito and dance music, I was the biggest fan of mama uBusi Mhlongo, Dorothy Masuka and

Miriam Makeba,” explains Naima Kay.

As she went through high school, it became evident that music was her first love. Interestingly,

the songstress never thought she would take music as a career. “Am just a young girl from a

small town. For me, career in the music industry was for big town people.”

But that was all to change when her singing talent was noticed by Touch Africa Records at a jazz

festival held in Port Shepstone. In February 2013, the songstress signed to one of the respected

independent record labels and released her first studio album, “Umsebenzi”. This was followed

by her second studio project titled, “Ngiyavuma” which cemented her name in the mainstream

music industry.

With hits such as ‘Umsebenzi’, ‘Lelilanga’ and ‘Shayizandla’, certainly, Naima Kay has not only proven that one can achieve greatness

regardless of where they come from. She has also demonstrated that sometimes all it takes is one

opportunity to get to where you are destined.

Tebogo Motlhabi is a businessman with many talents that work together to make him a sterling brand.

His first love is music production which he gets to showcase through Motlhabi Media House – a music production company he established over a decade ago.

In 2004, Motlhabi realised his dream of being a producer of various music genres when he worked tirelessly on a compilation album titled “House of Emotions”.

After the success of this project, the gifted producer started experimenting with different sounds and worked on an album for a hip-hop group, Maganate. With this release, the group got a chance to perform alongside the likes HHP, the late Mandoza, Skwatter Kamp, Khalil and more.

In 2006, Motlhabi produced a solid house song, ‘Ondilibele’ which was featured on DJ Sisco’s house compilation called “Capitol Collective”. From this milestone, the music doctor continued to spread his wings and went across our boarders to work with Botswana traditional groups Dikakapa, Mokorwane, Shumba Ratshega and Vee Wa Mampela.

During the year of 2014, Motlhabi composed some brilliant scores that were used on eTV’s

current affairs show, Against All Odds. He extended his skills and jot scores for two television soapie, Rhythm City and Scandal.

The following year, Motlhabi was approached by Lalela Music - publishing company to collaborate with Alan Lazar for Rolling With The Headliners theme song. Furthermore, he jot a signature song for a drama series, Gold Diggers and also for a sitcom called B and B.

NOMINATED FOR:SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR


KELLERMAN WOUTER

NOMINATED FOR:BEST CREATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Bassist and composer Benjamin Jephta has already made a name for himself as one of South Africa’s premier jazz double bass and electric bass players.

Growing up in Mitchells Plain, it was only when he attended Muizenberg High School that he fostered a love for jazz under the mentorship of Fred Kuit. Aside from performing in venues and festivals locally since the age of 15, Jephta has also performed with various orchestras and small ensembles in Africa, Europe and Asia.

A graduate of the Jazz Program at the prestigious South African College of Music at the University of Cape Town, Jephta currently spearheads two projects that play his original material. A six- piece African/fusion/funk project, called the Tribe of Benjamin and his Acoustic Quintet that plays music inspired by gospel music.

Jephta has also been involved in educational projects for disadvantaged youth in the Cape Flats and the East Rand, Johannesburg.

The Bassist has performed with a range of local and international musicians including McCoy Mrubata, Sibongile Khumalo, Paul Hanmer, Feya Faku, Jimmy Dludlu, Simphiwe Dana, Mark Fransman, Hugh Masekela, Melanie Scholtz, Marcus Wyatt, Bokani Dyer and many others.

In 2015, he released his album, “Homecoming” which was nominated for Best Urban Jazz Album at the 15th Metro FM Music Awards.

Enjoying the success of his hard work, in 2016 Jephta performed at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

Wouter Kellerman, a flutist from Johannesburg, South Africa, won his first Grammy for Best New Age Album in 2015. “Winds of Samsara” - a collaboration with American-born Indian artist Ricky Kej was a blend of Kellerman’s soothing flute and sounds from India.

At the age of ten, Kellerman began playing the flute and went on to become one of South Africa’s youngest recognized talents.

Studying abroad, he learned to develop global sounds into his own improvisational style. In 2008 he released his debut, “Colour” - a collection of songs inspired by global sounds (Argentina, Ireland, Spain and Africa) and performed on his trademark flute. Songs from that debut (along with a few from his 2010

sophomore follow-up, Two Voices) made their way onto 2012’s Half Moon collection.

In 2010 his show Kellerman Colour Live won the 2010 SAMA for Best Jazz/Instrumental/Popular Classical DVD. He followed his performance at the FIFA Soccer World Cup Closing Ceremony with concerts at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival in Johannesburg and two performances at the Shanghai World Expo in China.

Passionate about teaching and empowering young people, Kellerman has sponsored the living expenses of ten children in the SOS Children’s Village in Ennerdale, South Africa for the past 14 years. He has also financed the building of a house in the SOS Children’s Village in Rustenburg, South Africa.

NOMINATED & WINNER FOR:BEST MALE ARTIST & COMPOSER/CO COMPOSER

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

JEPHTABENJAMIN


Black Motion came into being in the early 2010 when Robert “DJ Murda” Mahosana and percussionist, Thabo “Smol” Mabogwane decided to team up and work together. The two had already been producing music separately for years prior to forming Black Motion.

From the onset, this partnership led to a string of respectable productions that have been lighting up the dance-floors across the world. Black Motion has enjoyed support from big names in the dance music scene.

Their music has been featured on a number of compilations including their 2011 hit single, ‘Set Me Free’ which became the favourite amongst house music fans and dominated radio stations playlists.

The group signed a licensing deal with Kalawa Jazmee Records in 2011 which saw them releasing their first double CD album titled, “Talking to the Drums”.

2011 was so great for the duo as they went on to do remixes for DJ Qness, Black Coffee and DJeff.

When performing, Black Motion makes use of vocalists and keyboard players to support their DJing and percussionist act. They are rapidly gaining respect for their live acts – something that they have become famously known for.

If the work they have done so far is anything to go by, going forward, the duo will be bigger and continue to take their music to the international market.

BLACKMOTION

NOMINATED FOR:BEST SOUTH AFRICAN

DUO OR GROUP

SPECIAL AWARDSWINNERS


Gabriel “Gabi” Le Roux studied theory and piano, and later added orchestral percussion and brass arrangement. Gabi Le Roux as he is famously known as been composing music from the time when he was just a little boy at the age of 11.

As a multi-instrumentalist, Gabi played at Hotel Circuit in South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and toured with various bands during the 70s and 80s. In 1989 he became a producer. Since then, the legendary producer has shaped more than 50 Albums in different genres, including mbaqanga, kwaito, jazz, classical, house, rock, pop and hip-hop.

Gabi Le Roux has been an influential key role player in the South African music industry for over 20 years. Having changed the landscape of the country’s youth culture and music, his musical skills brought people

of different colours together with the evergreen track ‘Nkalakatha’ – a smashing hit he produced for the late kwaito veteran, Mandoza.

Having worked with the prime of South African talents such as Mandoza, Chiskop, Brenda Fassie and Lebo Mathosa, Gabi Le Roux’s has over 300 titles under his belt, ranging from kwaito, mbaqanga and rock.

PROLIFIC CATALOGUE OF WORKS

GABI LE ROUX


ABIGAILKUBEKA

Abigail Kubeka, born 1941 in Orlando East Soweto’s is a South African singer, songwriter, musical arranger and actress who is known primarily for her musical performances, especially in cabaret. Kubeka’s career started in 1957 when, at the age of 16, Miriam Makeba, having taken notice of her talent, invited her to join her Skylarks ensemble, which at that time also comprised the legendary Letta Mbulu and Mary Rabotaba.

The Skylarks, together with other groups such as the Jazz Maniacs evolved and promotedthe marabi and mbaqanga styles of music. Kubeka went on to understudy the legendary Makeba in the famous international jazz opera King Kong, which went on to tour Europe successfully.

In the 1960s, Kubeka accompanied musical giants Abdullah Ibrahim (then Dollar Brand) and Kippie Moeketsi in cabaret performances in the nightclubs of Hillbrow.

A prolific and versatile entertainer, Kubeka went on to perform in Philip Tabane’s award-wining Jazzmakers, Tshooks Tschukudu’s Elite Swingers and Mackay Davashe’s Jazz Dazzlers.

She performed to critical acclaim across venues in Africa, Europe and Asia, appearing alongside such stars as Eartha Kitt, Percy Sledge and Monk Montgomery.

Kubeka has made a major contribution to the evolution of South African music genres, and following the destruction of Sophiatown, to keeping these musical traditions alive so that a free and democratic South Africa may enjoy its cultural and especially musical legacy.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENTAWARD


OLIVERMTUKUDZI

Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, affectionately called has weathered storms with his sharp observations and gracious emphasis on the basic human experiences that unite us all.

Mtukudzi began performing in 1977 when he joined the Wagon Wheels, a band that also featured Thomas Mapfumo. Their single ‘Dzandimomotera’ went gold and Mtukudzi’s first album “Shoko” followed, which was also a major success.

With his husky voice, the legendary artist has become the most recognised voice to emerge from Zimbabwe and onto the international scene. He has earned a devoted following across Africa and beyond.

A member of Zimbabwe’s KoreKore group, Mtukudzi sings in the nation’s dominant Shona language along with Ndebele and English. He also incorporates elements of different musical traditions, giving his music a distinctive style known to fans as Tuku Music. Mtukudzi has toured around the world

performing for people from all walks of life. He has been on several tours in the UK, US and Canada to perform for large audiences.

In 2013, he toured North America and did tons of performances in different cities. He is remarkably known for his vernacular and outstanding performances. Referred as both accomplished musician and public figure, Mtukudzi has explored a variety of media over his long, successful career: mentored countless Zimbabwean musicians, produced musicals, made films and spoken out in a soft but persuasive way on key issues affecting Zimbabwe.

In total, this legend has recorded over 56 albums and won more than 24 awards.

BREAKING THROUGHTHE BORDERS


2016WAWELA MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES & WINNERS

CONTACTDETAILS

ALUN [email protected](011) 425 64500832295920

NIK [email protected](011)442 8994083 603 3270

BENJAMIN [email protected](011) 788 6141082 784 4274

ORANGOTANG [email protected](011) 568 0103071 255 0680

JOE [email protected] 256 1323

THE [email protected](011) 447 5199

LOUIS [email protected](011) 361 3020083 287 5190

ADAM [email protected](011) 234 3553

[email protected] 317 3147079 6623 308

WOUTER [email protected](011) 787 2693083 625 0955

JACK [email protected] 233 9109

BENJAMIN [email protected] 611 0415

[email protected] 073 1135

LINDIWE [email protected] 434 9360

GABI LE [email protected](021) 418 0980083 960 6071

ABIGAIL [email protected](011) 936 9173082 683 3836

OLIVER [email protected] 648 8066

[email protected](021) 797 5865072 142 9831

BLACK [email protected] 714 4298

ZOLA [email protected] 235 2959

FABIAN [email protected] 587 2709

NAIMA [email protected] 171 3009


WAWELA MUSICAWARDS GALLERY

2016

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