THE past three BET Awards have brought with them disappointment for South African musicians – but Toya Delazy and Donald believe our luck is turning.
The two, who performed at the 19th SA Music Awards (Samas) this past Saturday, were both nominated in the best international act: Africa category, announced on Wednesday.
Lira (last year), Teargas (2011) and HHP (2010) all missed out, after being nominated in the same category in previous editions of the awards.
Now in their 13th year, the awards by the Black Entertainment Television network celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music.
So given South Africa’s history at the awards, coupled with the fact that neither Delazy nor Donald are hip-hop musicians (2Face, D’banj, Sarkodie and Wizkid are all African hip-hop artists who have won in this category), what chance this time around?
The 23-year-old Delazy, whose real name is Latoya Buthelezi, said: “I’m still celebrating – we’re not even done with celebrations, and now this.
“I found out , and thank God it’s for real – it’s been verified.”
Very few musicians have ascended to the top as quickly as Delazy – her debut Due Drop was released about 18 months ago – and at the beginning of the year she was nominated for three Metro FM awards.
She performed at more than 100 shows around the country last year – including corporate gigs. She has also collaborated with fashion retailer Legit, for her own range.
Delazy said she was looking forward to going home to her family in eMahlabathini near uLundi, in KwaZulu-Natal, to celebrate, and also to take a breather.
While Delazy missed out on winning in any of the three Metro FM nominations, Donald took home two awards . His hit singles including I Deserve, Denial and Over the Moon, have enjoyed heavy airplay.
He said the fact that for the first time ever, two South African artists had made the list, boded well.
He added: “This has shown me that anything is possible. The most important thing is what I can do with this opportunity. It’s going to be like starting from scratch and hustling again. I will sing for whoever is willing to listen.”
Donald was one of the local singers who opened for Grammy-winning US R&B and soul singer Miguel, during the latter’s recent three- night tour of South Africa.
“I will also be chatting to Miguel. I really want to do some stuff with him – a collaboration is possible, we’ve spoken about it and he’s seen me in action,” Donald said.
The BETs will be hosted by comic Chris Tucker on June 30. Both Delazy and Donald will be in Los Angeles for the ceremony.
Some of the nominations include:
l Best female R&B or pop artist: Rihanna, Beyoncé, Tamar Braxton, Alicia Keys, Elle Varner.
l Best male R&B or pop artist: Chris Brown, Bruno Mars, Miguel, Justin Timberlake, Usher.
Best Male Hip Hop Artist: 2 Chainz, AAP Rocky, Drake, Future, Kendrick Lamar
Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Azealia Banks, Eve, Nicki Minaj, Rasheeda, Rye Rye
l Best New Artist: Azealia Banks, Joey Bada, Kendrick Lamar, Trinidad Jame, The Weeknd
l Best International Act: UK: Marsha Ambrosius, Estelle, Labrinth, Rita Ora, Emeli Sandé, Wiley
l Best Actress: Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Taraji P Henson, Gabrielle Union, Kerry Washington
l Best Actor: Don Cheadle, Common, Jamie Foxx, Samuel L Jackson, Denzel Washington
First time two SA stars make BETs
The two, who performed at the 19th SA Music Awards (Samas) this past Saturday, were both nominated in the best international act: Africa category, announced on Wednesday.
Lira (last year), Teargas (2011) and HHP (2010) all missed out, after being nominated in the same category in previous editions of the awards.
Now in their 13th year, the awards by the Black Entertainment Television network celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music.
So given South Africa’s history at the awards, coupled with the fact that neither Delazy nor Donald are hip-hop musicians (2Face, D’banj, Sarkodie and Wizkid are all African hip-hop artists who have won in this category), what chance this time around?
The 23-year-old Delazy, whose real name is Latoya Buthelezi, said: “I’m still celebrating – we’re not even done with celebrations, and now this.
“I found out , and thank God it’s for real – it’s been verified.”
Very few musicians have ascended to the top as quickly as Delazy – her debut Due Drop was released about 18 months ago – and at the beginning of the year she was nominated for three Metro FM awards.
She performed at more than 100 shows around the country last year – including corporate gigs. She has also collaborated with fashion retailer Legit, for her own range.
Delazy said she was looking forward to going home to her family in eMahlabathini near uLundi, in KwaZulu-Natal, to celebrate, and also to take a breather.
While Delazy missed out on winning in any of the three Metro FM nominations, Donald took home two awards . His hit singles including I Deserve, Denial and Over the Moon, have enjoyed heavy airplay.
He said the fact that for the first time ever, two South African artists had made the list, boded well.
He added: “This has shown me that anything is possible. The most important thing is what I can do with this opportunity. It’s going to be like starting from scratch and hustling again. I will sing for whoever is willing to listen.”
Donald was one of the local singers who opened for Grammy-winning US R&B and soul singer Miguel, during the latter’s recent three- night tour of South Africa.
“I will also be chatting to Miguel. I really want to do some stuff with him – a collaboration is possible, we’ve spoken about it and he’s seen me in action,” Donald said.
The BETs will be hosted by comic Chris Tucker on June 30. Both Delazy and Donald will be in Los Angeles for the ceremony.
Some of the nominations include:
l Best female R&B or pop artist: Rihanna, Beyoncé, Tamar Braxton, Alicia Keys, Elle Varner.
l Best male R&B or pop artist: Chris Brown, Bruno Mars, Miguel, Justin Timberlake, Usher.
Best Male Hip Hop Artist: 2 Chainz, AAP Rocky, Drake, Future, Kendrick Lamar
Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Azealia Banks, Eve, Nicki Minaj, Rasheeda, Rye Rye
l Best New Artist: Azealia Banks, Joey Bada, Kendrick Lamar, Trinidad Jame, The Weeknd
l Best International Act: UK: Marsha Ambrosius, Estelle, Labrinth, Rita Ora, Emeli Sandé, Wiley
l Best Actress: Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Taraji P Henson, Gabrielle Union, Kerry Washington
l Best Actor: Don Cheadle, Common, Jamie Foxx, Samuel L Jackson, Denzel Washington
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