Local Christian rapper Incense has been nominated in the best hip hop/R&B category for the inaugural Mzansi Gospel Awards (MGA).
The King William’s Town born rapper said he felt honoured.
“I am in dreamland. Three days later the news has not really sunk in. I am so excited by this,” he said.
Christian hip hop is one of the fastest growing genres in the country, with groups like Last Days Fam that have helped popularise it.
The awards – supported by the Faith Broadcasting Network (FBN) and Move Magazine – were officially launched at the weekend.
Organiser Edzani Raaloe said they were created to celebrate mainly urban-contemporary and unconventional gospel music.
“We already have the Crown Gospel Awards and Ingoma Awards, which focus mainly on traditional music and independent musicians,” he said.
“We saw a gap and decided to have these awards to honour these artists. They put out the best gospel music and deserve the recognition.”
Some of the country’s big name gospel musicians nominated on Saturday include Loyiso Bala, Benjamin Dube, Neville D, Sifiso Ncwane and Joe Niemand.
Incense, real name Nkululeko Mdangayi, is a Link FM radio presenter who started making music in 2011. Raaloe said nominees were selected by a panel of judges.
“We chose people based on quality, presentation, vocal ability, mixing and mastering, and CD cover artwork.
“We believe in excellence and each nominee was judged accordingly,” he said.
Incense said his album Dedications – which has been nominated in the best hip hop/RnB category – was inspired by Psalm 137:4.
“There is a song for every situation. I tell personal stories and those stories are a dedication to whoever relates. I have songs about missing my late brother, the value of women in God’s eyes, the supremacy of Jesus and more. It is a complete body of work,” he said.
Other Eastern Cape nominees include:
lChosen for best produced/engineered album and best group/duo;
lAndile&1266 for the best rock/pop category;
lLink FM’s Gary Gerber for the best radio show;
lTD Jokes for comedian of the year; and
lNosiviwe for the best songwriter.
Raaloe said the awards were for everyone.
“These awards are not for just black musicians. We want every musician to get the recognition they deserve. This is about God and the spirit of unity among his people,” he said.
To vote, SMS the category and name of your favourite to 34499.
Texts cost R2.
The award ceremony takes place on June 13 at the Mosaiek Teatro in Johannesburg. Raaloe said the show would be aired on FBN, channel 341. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
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The King William’s Town born rapper said he felt honoured.
“I am in dreamland. Three days later the news has not really sunk in. I am so excited by this,” he said.
Christian hip hop is one of the fastest growing genres in the country, with groups like Last Days Fam that have helped popularise it.
The awards – supported by the Faith Broadcasting Network (FBN) and Move Magazine – were officially launched at the weekend.
Organiser Edzani Raaloe said they were created to celebrate mainly urban-contemporary and unconventional gospel music.
“We already have the Crown Gospel Awards and Ingoma Awards, which focus mainly on traditional music and independent musicians,” he said.
“We saw a gap and decided to have these awards to honour these artists. They put out the best gospel music and deserve the recognition.”
Some of the country’s big name gospel musicians nominated on Saturday include Loyiso Bala, Benjamin Dube, Neville D, Sifiso Ncwane and Joe Niemand.
Incense, real name Nkululeko Mdangayi, is a Link FM radio presenter who started making music in 2011. Raaloe said nominees were selected by a panel of judges.
“We chose people based on quality, presentation, vocal ability, mixing and mastering, and CD cover artwork.
“We believe in excellence and each nominee was judged accordingly,” he said.
Incense said his album Dedications – which has been nominated in the best hip hop/RnB category – was inspired by Psalm 137:4.
“There is a song for every situation. I tell personal stories and those stories are a dedication to whoever relates. I have songs about missing my late brother, the value of women in God’s eyes, the supremacy of Jesus and more. It is a complete body of work,” he said.
Other Eastern Cape nominees include:
lChosen for best produced/engineered album and best group/duo;
lAndile&1266 for the best rock/pop category;
lLink FM’s Gary Gerber for the best radio show;
lTD Jokes for comedian of the year; and
lNosiviwe for the best songwriter.
Raaloe said the awards were for everyone.
“These awards are not for just black musicians. We want every musician to get the recognition they deserve. This is about God and the spirit of unity among his people,” he said.
To vote, SMS the category and name of your favourite to 34499.
Texts cost R2.
The award ceremony takes place on June 13 at the Mosaiek Teatro in Johannesburg. Raaloe said the show would be aired on FBN, channel 341. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
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