Dinaledi scales the borders
Mpho Sebina’s Dinaledi nominated at the Amapiano Awards in South Africa
Botswana’s Mpho Sebina is slated to perform at the inaugural South African Amapiano Music Awards. The maiden awards will be held this Saturday at the Sandton Convention Centre. Other performers on the night will include Nokwazi, Miano, Mdu aka Trap, Boohle Pabi Cooper, Focalistic, Nia Pearl, Semi Tee, Mdu aka Trap, Stockie, Kamo Mphela, as well as Nhlanhla Ncisa to mention a few.
For those who have been following the growth of this genre over the years, this will be the biggest night for all of those who for years have been relentlessly pushing this genre.
Today, the Amapiano has exploded, and evolved into one of the biggest musical exports, which is not only popular in South Africa but has also captured audiences in other parts of the world.
It has even received accolades from big names such as your P Diddy, Swizz Beats, and many others. History of the genre is that it started off as an underground sound, and is big everywhere.
Previously, there was a category for Amapiano in the South African Music Awards, but organisers of these awards decided that it was high time that this genre gets its own special awards. In total there are close to twenty categories.
Even more exciting is the fact that Sebina has also clinched her first nomination at the South African music awards. Her song, that saw her working with the Major League DJz, and Abidoza is nominated in two categories.
The song titled, Dinaledi has been nominated under the Best Amapiano Video.
It has been nominated alongside songs by other artists such as Kamo Mphela’s Nkulunkulu, Focalistic’s Ke Star, as well as DJ Zandimaz’s Emathandweni.
The second nomination for the song is under the category, Best Amapiano song of the Year. With ten nominees under this category, this will not be a walk in the park for any of the nominees. Other songs that have been nominated include Vula Mlomo by Musa Keys featuring Sir Trill, & Da Muziqal, Idlozi Lam by DJ Obza featuring Nkosazana & Dj Freetz, as well as Emathandweni by Zandlimaz featuring Nokwazi to mention a few.
For Sebina, this is a big deal. And the opportunity to be able to set the stage alight will go a long way in growing her brand and attracting the right people. She tells this publication that this is her first international nomination. “It is also my second nomination this year,“she explains, adding that she was nominated in the recently held local Yarona FM Music Awards under the Best Female Single category which was won by Girlie.
“It is great to be recognised for my works. I appreciate every nomination,” she explains.
Shedding light a bit about how she got the opportunity to work with the Major League DJz, she explains that they once tweeted that they appreciated her work. It was during the lockdowns that she reached out to them, and shared some music ideas with them.
“And then Dinaledi was born,” she explains. She also highlights that an opportunity like this means a lot for her brand.
“Well there is room for growth for me in dabbling in a new genre.
I have found great things happen when you leave your comfort zone. Dinaledi is a huge success and I had a lot of fun writing it,” she shares.
As her star keeps shining bright, she notes that she would like to work with one of the biggest African artists, Burna Boy, Wizkid, and locally she would love to collaborate with Charma Gal, Han C and Ban T to mention a few.