East Africa's music stars

Save for few technical hitches the inaugural music awards was full of colour and pomp, writes Stevens Muendo

With his dynamic vocal charm and flamboyance, the King of Rhumba, Papa Wemba, ascended to the podium sending the crowd into frenzy as he belted out his golden hit, Rail On.

Before an estimated crowd of 2,000 people at Bomas of Kenya, a humble Papa Wemba saluted his audience to welcome the inaugural East Africa Music Awards (EAMAs).

His hemmed designer suite and trademark shiny brogues head gear made him stand out.

The stage was magnificent, enough to spur ecstasy. As the back-up band led by Juma Tutu rose, it was evident the 60-year-old rhumba maestro was out to offer Nairobi a show of a lifetime.

"Machozi yangu yote namalizika,

Mie nitalala na nani, we unaenda,

Mie paka ni mawazo oo…,

Mie paka ni ku waza waza,

Kama ile njia yako enda,

Kama ni maisha yako fuata,

We e dada, wewe,

Rail on, rail on, rail on,

Since that’s the way.

We unaendaa, naendaa," the sentimental lyrics rent the air, sending the fully packed auditorium into a frenzy. And as the notes went low, the legendary Rumba icon paused for half a minute, creating a pin-drop silence as the crowd waited in expectancy. He reminisced the early days and was almost in tears as he paid tribute to Tabu Ley, who is in a Belgium hospital, calling him the father of Rhumba.

Show stopper

And in the next minute, it was dance and elation as the crowd joined Papa Wemba in his irresistible single, Show Me The Way.

The stage thrill dominated the ceremony with versatile vocalist and music expert Hellen Mtawali thrilling the crowd with a Miriam Makeba rendition as a tribute to the departed songbird.

And when Achieng’ Abura and Jean Pierre aka Kidum rose to the podium, they did not disappoint.

"We are here to celebrate the gains made in the entertainment industry in East Africa over the year. In particular, we want to recognise artistes who have done exceptionally well in the last few years," said Alfred Mutua, the brains behind the awards.

From the time the ceremony kicked off at 3pm, every moment seemed sensational as dignitaries and top CEOs joined artistes and fans from eight African countries to witness the birth of the new regional awards event, broadcast live to millions across the region.

It was the day of truth for the nominees who carried the flags of their nations high in an event that boasted an overwhelming 3,500 applicants from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Southern Sudan, Ethiopia, Burundi and Rwanda.

The celebrities and dignitaries arrived in style, some in motorcades while others strutted designer outfits. VIP guests were treated to an elaborate red carpet reception.

Kenya’s celebrated musicians triumphed over other regional stars to scoop trophies in their nominated categories during the inaugural East Africa Music Award (EAMAs) ceremony. In a close call, philanthropic Kenyan singer Jaguar tied with Rwanda’s Dr Claude to win the competitive Best Male Urban Contemporary Category thanks to his Kigeugeu hit single.

Celebrated gospel songstress Emmy Kosgei (featuring Lynn) won the Best Female Gospel Collaboration award, this time not for her Taunet Nelel hit but for Omegeu Rerein.

MTV-Awards nominees and multiple awards winners, P-Unit group, took home the Best Male Group gong silencing neighbours Radio and Weasel (Uganda) and Just Family (Rwanda).

Asserting Kenya’s music dominance was BMF, a relatively new gospel group, which won in the Best Gospel Group accolade, also contended by Nef Thalem from Ethiopia and the Mwanza Gospel Choir from Tanzania.

Kenyan-based Burundian and Southern Sudan singers Kidum and Lam won in the Male Afro Fusion and Best Video awards respectively. Kidum was also crowned the best overall artiste.

Other winners include Juliana of Uganda (Best Female, Urban Contemporary), Tanzania’s AY featuring Mwana FA (Best Collabo), Papa Wemba (Best Male Rhumba) and Lam of Southern Sudan (Best Video).

It was a memorable bonanza whose few technical and logistic hitches were easily overshadowed by the marvellous performances and dances.