With social media on the rise, the Independent National Gospel Music Awards (Ingomas) are following the trend by introducing new categories for artists.The awards, founded in 2013, celebrate upcoming and independent gospel music artists.
Founder Dan Raseluma said their aim was to expose and promote artists who would not normally be celebrated. “From the street- singing gospel artists to those who host concerts, we honour every independent artist. This is our way of encouraging them to continue making music that changes people’s lives.”
Some of the new categories include best recording studio; best social media active artist; best dressed artist; best artist website; best gospel event MC; and best African artist.
“We want to see how independent artists are using social media to promote their work. We are not interested in their private lives but we are about their interaction with their supporters,” Raseluma said.
Social media played a big role in influencing the public, he added, and it was important for artists to know how to engage their supporters in the medium.
“These awards are all about promoting independent artists and social media is a big part of our society.”
He said most artists did not have websites and people did not know how to contact them.
Some of the Eastern Cape artists who have been nominated in the past include Aviwe Gqomfa, Khanyisa Mphanyipeli, Unathi Nzube, Stand, Yolanda and Butho Vuthela.
Last year, Butho Vuthela became the first musician to win the best street promoting artist award.
“Butho went on to win a South African Traditional Music Award and the Eastern Cape Music Award. It all started at the Ingomas for him,” Raseluma said.
“We started with 20 categories and now we have 40. We want to celebrate as many artists as possible.”
This year’s official awards launch will take place next month in Johannesburg. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
Gospel awards introduce social media gongs
The awards, founded in 2013, celebrate upcoming and independent gospel music artists.
Founder Dan Raseluma said their aim was to expose and promote artists who would not normally be celebrated. “From the street- singing gospel artists to those who host concerts, we honour every independent artist. This is our way of encouraging them to continue making music that changes people’s lives.”
Some of the new categories include best recording studio; best social media active artist; best dressed artist; best artist website; best gospel event MC; and best African artist.
“We want to see how independent artists are using social media to promote their work. We are not interested in their private lives but we are about their interaction with their supporters,” Raseluma said.
Social media played a big role in influencing the public, he added, and it was important for artists to know how to engage their supporters in the medium.
“These awards are all about promoting independent artists and social media is a big part of our society.”
He said most artists did not have websites and people did not know how to contact them.
Some of the Eastern Cape artists who have been nominated in the past include Aviwe Gqomfa, Khanyisa Mphanyipeli, Unathi Nzube, Stand, Yolanda and Butho Vuthela.
Last year, Butho Vuthela became the first musician to win the best street promoting artist award.
“Butho went on to win a South African Traditional Music Award and the Eastern Cape Music Award. It all started at the Ingomas for him,” Raseluma said.
“We started with 20 categories and now we have 40. We want to celebrate as many artists as possible.”
This year’s official awards launch will take place next month in Johannesburg. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
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