THE FUTURE SOUNDS GOOD!
The Future Awards Africa, billed to hold on December 7 at the Intercontinental Hotels, Lagos, is a set of prizes given annually to celebrate and accelerate innovation, creativity and enterprise amongst young Africans aged 18 – 31. It has produced over 150 winners and over 1500 nominees since its first edition in 2006. Touted as the “Nobel Prize for Young Africans”, and the “most important youth awards” by Forbes, The Future Africa Awards ( TFAA) attracts nominees and winners from across the continent. In TFAA 2013, Uganda- based businessman and Africa’s youngest billionaire; Ashish J. Thakkar received the landmark Young Person of the Year Award in a glamorous black tie event held in Port- Harcourt, Nigeria. Its keynote speakers are always role model leaders with exemplary profiles and global relevance. Some past keynote speakers include the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala and former Vice- President of the World Bank, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, amongst others. For last year’s edition, the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, delivered the keynote address and he will be present at this year’s event. He also hosted the top 100 winners of The Future Awards 2013 to a grand reception at the Aso Rock Villa in acknowledgment of their contributions to the society. As part of this year’s activities, it is currently galvanising young Africans across the continent to get involved in the global effort to stop the Ebola pandemic. It is carrying out a fundraiser to get donations from our Africa- wide nominees, winners and alumni, celebrities and guests. In partnership with the World Health Organisation, all funds raised will be channelled through legitimate and active organisations that are on the forefront of this fight. The Future Awards Africa is presented in conjunction with The Future Project, founded by Chude Jideonwo and Adebola Williams, which has a mandate to build empowered citizens across Africa, through ( inclusive) enterprise and ( active) citizenship. This focus on Human Capital Development is informed by its value proposition: Africa’s growth needs a generation of young people who are gainfully employed and able to demand and secure better leadership.
For this year’s edition, after a sweeping search and nominations process, the awards body has arrived at five pacesetters for its much- coveted The Future Awards Africa Prize in Entertainment, to be presented at the Intercontinental Hotels in an exclusive black- tie ceremony. These finalists represent the now and future of Africa in the fledging field of entertainment:
Panshak Zamani, 27, Musical Artiste, Nigeria ( Ice Prince)
He is a top selling recording artiste currently signed to the formidable Chocolate City group. A veteran of two successful albums and countless hit singles, Zamani has secured phenomenal success in entertainment, especially in the rap and pop genres which he specializes in. He has won, among other awards, Best Rap Act of the Year, BET Awards 2013, Best International Act: Africa, City People Entertainment Awards, Best Hip- Hop Artiste of the Year, the Rhythm Play Ambassador ( NASCOM) 2013. Two of his hit tracks, “Oleku” and “Superstar” have totalled downloads above 5 million and 3 million respectively. Ice Prince has ventured into film, with appearances in the movie House of Gold and the television Shuga. His sophomore album, Fire of Zamani was released last year to widespread critical and commercial acclaim.
Michael Kwesi Owusu, 26, Musical Artiste, Ghana ( Sarkodie)
A recording artist, entertainer, and brand ambassador, Sarkodie is recognized as one of the leading Hip hop and Hip Life artists in Ghana and is a major proponent of the Azonto genre and dance. In 2013, he signed an endorsement deal with FanMilk Ghana. Sarkodie is currently in partnership with Tigo Telecommunications Ghana, a brand that sponsored the 2013 Rapperholic tour. Ranked the 8th on Forbes and Channel O’s 2013 list of the Top 10 Richest/ Bankable African Artistes, he is the first Ghanaian to win the BET Awards for “Best International Act Africa. Sarkodie won four awards at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2014, including Vodafone Song of The Year. He also won big in the 2014 BET Awards as Best International Act.
Nasibu Abdul Juma, 24, Musical Artiste, Tanzania ( Diamond)
Popularly known by stage name Diamond Platnumz ( or simply Diamond). He is a Bongo Flava recording artist and singer from Tanzania who has recorded 133 songs already and is best known for his hit song “Number One”. He performed at the Big Brother Africa Season 7 eviction shows in May 2012. Diamond is considered influential among his fans, and he is said to be the most loved and decorated Tanzanian artist at the moment. He is the highest paid artist in East Africa earning at least two million shillings per weekend. He was also believed to be the highest selling Tanzanian artist of ringtones by mobile phone companies in 2013, as well as being among the artists earning the highest income in the African Great Lakes region’s music industry. On May 3, Diamond Platnumz set a new record at the Tanzania Music Awards by winning seven awards, including Best Male Writer, Best Male Artist, Best Song Writer, and Best Male Entertainer of the Year, among others. Prior to these accomplishments, Diamond held the record for winning three awards at the 2010 Tanzania music awards. In 2010, he was nominated as the best new act at the MTV Africa Music Awards and also got two nominations at this year’s Edition. Diamond has been actively involved in developmental projects and has campaigned for Coke Studio, Do Agric ONE Campaign, No More Malaria, African Rising and also currently works with NSSF Tanzania. Diamond was recommended by The President of Tanzania for his impact.