Award nominees spell out their hopes and dreams

WITH the 2016 MTV Africa Music Awards (Mamas) mere hours away, the Saturday Star caught up with a handful of nominees ahead of the glitzy awards.

Cassper Nyovest Nominated for: Best Live Act Best Collaboration: Nasty C Ft. Davido and Cassper Nyovest – Riky Rick Nomination: Best Hip Hop

You are a brand ambassador for David Tlale’s fashion house. What will you be wearing to the awards?

Probably a collaboration between David Tlale and King Kotini.

Kwesta Nomination: Song of the Year in partnership with Google – – Kwesta feat. Cassper Nyovest

Your track Ngud has 3 million views on YouTube and is a fan favourite. It’s the biggest hit since Mandoza’s Nkalakatha. Why do you think it has become so popular?

I don’t know. I didn’t work so hard to make it popular. I just went into studio and did the song.

Ngud is a song that resonates with a lot of South Africans.

Do you enjoy attending awards?

Not at all, but I will enjoy the Mamas – all Africans are coming together under one roof.

This is an opportunity for us to interact with each other.

Tresor: Nomination: Best Pop Artist

What has been the most rewarding moment in your career?

The journey has been full of highs and lows and I am grateful for every part of it.

I’m having the best time of my life at the moment and making music with everyone I’ve ever wanted to work with. I’m blessed with the opportunity of getting calls from legends who want to collaborate…

The most rewarding part has been receiving four Sama nominations and winning a Sama for Best Pop Album of the Year considering that I wrote and produced most of that album in my little flat in Durban, shaping a totally new and different sound.

You are nominated in the category for best pop/ alternative and are up against Desmond & The Tutus (South Africa), Locnville (South Africa), Shekhinah (South Africa) / Kyle Deutsch (South Africa) and Timo ODV (South Africa). Who is your favourite artist out of the four you are nominated with?

All the nominees are incredible artists and I am massive fan of their music. Shekhinah’s voice melts my heart.

What do you plan on wearing at the MTV Africa Music Awards?

I’m planning to wear something bright as always and, of course, African-inspired.