Nyasa Music Awards are Malawian music awards that were established in early 2017 to celebrate entertainers and other minorities in music, fashion and philanthropy.[1][2] The annual presentation event that takes place in major cities of the country features performances by artists and they are one of the major Malawi's music industry awards.[3] The event recognizes Malawian music from all genres, including traditional, soul, and gospel. The awards also promote culture, with the 2017 event host of an African Print party that encourages people to showcase their traditional outfits. The awards include media sister awards and its categories are split into male and female.[4]

Nyasa Music Awards
Current: Nyasa Music Awards 2023
Awarded forOutstanding achievements in the entertainment industry
CountryMalawi
Presented byMalawi music industry coalition
Hosted byJoy Nathu Priscilla Kayira
First awardedJanuary 13, 2017; 7 years ago (2017-01-13)
Last awarded2023
Most awardsFaith Mussa

List of ceremonies

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The 2018 inaugural ceremony was held at Comesa Hall in Blantyre. The 2019 NMA took place on December 14 at Crossroads Hotel in Blantyre, Malawi.[5] The ceremony included fashion and media categories. Ben Wandawanda won the Fashion Icon award, and Jai Banda won the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Most recent Nyasa Music Awards winners
← 2022 December 20, 2023 2024 →
   
Award DJ of the Year
Winner Joy Nathu
 
The 2019 annual ceremony took place at BICC (pictured) in Lilongwe

Current award categories

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  • Song of the Year
  • Best Hip Hop Act
  • Best Dancehall Act
  • Album of the Year
  • Artist of the Year (Female)
  • Artist of the Year (Male)
  • Music Video of the Year[7]
  • Best Gospel Artist
  • Best New Artist (Female)
  • Best New Artist (Male)
  • Producer of the Year
  • Best Duo/Group
  • Lifetime Achievement
  • Best TV personality
  • Media Legend
  • Best Radio DJ/Personality
  • Best Entertainment writer

Fashion

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  • Model of the Year
  • Living Legend
  • Fashion Icon
  • Most Fashionable Celebrity
  • Designer of the Year

Host Cities

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Year Country Host city Venue Host(s)
2017 Malawi Blantyre Golf Club Joy Nathu
2018 Malawi Comesa Hall, Blantyre[8] Golf Club Chifundo Maganga
2019 Malawi Lilongwe BICC

Recipients

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List of selected recipients and years:

Category Nominee / work (and year) Result Reference
Song of the Year Faith Mussa (2017)

Janta – Wangongole (2018)

Won [9]
Best Hip Hop Artist Fredokiss (2018) Won [9][10]
Best Gospel Artist Faith Mussa (2018) Won [9][10]
Best R&B Artist of the year Kell Kay (2018)

Kell Kay (2017)

Won [9][11]
Best Reggae Artist Black Missionaries (2018) Won [9][10]
Best Secular Artist Nepman (2018) Won [9][10]
Best Acoustic Artist Faith Mussa (2018) Won [9][10]
Best Producer AK on the board (2018) Won [9][10]
Best Male Artist Tay Grin (2018) Won [9][10]
Best Female Artist Zani Challe (2018) Won [9][10]
Best Afro pop Artist Stitch Fray (2018) Won [9][10]
Best Group Zathu Band (2018) Won [9][10]
Best Female Broadcaster Jean Chalungama (2018) Won [9][10]
Best Live Act Faith Mussa (2018) Won [9][10]
Best Video Director Sukez (2018) Won [9][10]
Album of the Year Lawi – Sunset in the Sky (2018) Won [9]
Best New Comer Episodes (2018) Won [10]
Best Dancehall artist of the year Malinga Mafia (2018) Won
Best collaboration of the year Tsidya lina – Hyphen ft Malinga Mafia (2018) Won
Best Live Act Faith Mussa (2017) Won

Controversies

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On 29 March 2018, the Nyasa Music Awards faced public criticism when it selected the South African television personality Somizi Somgaga Mhlongo to host the year’s awards.[12] Homophobic Malawians slammed the awards choice as the host is known to be openly gay.[12][13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Mughogho, Lyonike (2018-03-07). "Nyasa music awards beckons: nominations next week Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi". Malawi 24. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  2. ^ Mkhutche, Wonderful (2017-05-02). "Winners and losers in 2017 Nyasa Music Awards Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi". Malawi 24. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  3. ^ "Nyasa Music Awards nominations announcement next week - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi". www.nyasatimes.com. 2018-03-09. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  4. ^ Mughogho, Lyonike (2018-03-23). "No online, print recognition in 2018 Nyasa Music Awards Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi". Malawi 24. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  5. ^ Itai, Brian (2018-05-09). "Holes in Nyasa Music Awards | The Nation Online". Retrieved 2024-04-01.
  6. ^ Mkhutche, Wonderful (2017-05-02). "Winners and losers in 2017 Nyasa Music Awards Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi". Malawi 24. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  7. ^ a b Mughogho, Lyonike (2018-05-05). "Purple C, Tay Grin share best video award Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi". Malawi 24. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  8. ^ Mughogho, Lyonike (2018-03-07). "Nyasa music awards beckons: nominations next week Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi". Malawi 24. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Mughogho, Lyonike (2018-05-05). "Purple C, Tay Grin share best video award Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi". Malawi 24. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Malawi: Nyasa Music Awards full list of winners". Music In Africa. 2018-05-07. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  11. ^ Mkhutche, Wonderful (2017-05-02). "Winners and losers in 2017 Nyasa Music Awards Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi". Malawi 24. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  12. ^ a b Reporter, Malawi24 (2018-03-29). "Nyasa Music Awards choice of homosexual host stirs controversy Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi". Malawi 24. Retrieved 2024-04-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ Mughogho, Lyonike (2018-04-20). "Nyasa Music Awards clarify choice of foreign host Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi". Malawi 24. Retrieved 2024-04-06.