New celebrity DJ awards’ event scheduled

SOUTH African DJs make more money, and have bigger profiles, than singers. That is the view of the organisers of the inaugural African Global DJ Awards.

With that situation in mind, Stronghold Entertainment, Stats Media and Kollertunz have partnered to launch the awards in South Africa first. Their expectation is that hosting it in such a welcoming environment gives the awards impetus to draw “tentative” sponsors, so that they can eventually run themselves, even elsewhere on the continent.

The May 4 ceremony, to be hosted by Ugandan hip-hop star Navio and local TV presenter Lerato Kganyago, will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre. The show’s producer and co-organiser, George Beke, said yesterday: “DJs are celebrities here, and are being paid more than the artists themselves in some instances, so we thought we should recognise them. We also realised that a lot of artists are being powered by DJs – they actually play the songs and make them hits.”

Surprisingly, two-time nominee Euphonik (nominated in the Best Kwaito or House Music DJ and Best Southern African DJ categories) was “not moved”.

Euphonik, real name Themba Nkosi, said: “It makes no sense to be excited about something that leaves you in the same position you were in yes- terday, and the only difference to your life is a few rands and a trophy.” Gareth Cliff, nominated alongside Kenya’s DJ Joe Mfalme, Ghana’s DJ Black, Nigerians DJ Xclusive and DJ Caise, and another South African in Glen Lewis, in the Best Radio DJ category, differed. “Absolutely, [we need such awards]. Radio is part of people’s lives and recognising those people who are part of our daily commute feels right to me. I also think everyone in the entertainment business will agree that radio often gets pushed aside.”