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The 2024 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards has been slated for the 11th of May, 2024, and will take place at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos State.
The nominees were announced on Sunday, 24th March 2024. "Over the Bridge" led with 12 nominations, including Best Supporting Actor and Actress, Best Lead Actress, Best Cinematography, and more. "Mami Wata" followed with 11 nominations, while "Breath of Life" and "Jagun Jagun" received 10 nominations each.
The Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA) is paramount for the African film industry as it serves as a platform to recognize and appreciate exceptional talent, promoting African cinema globally while encouraging innovation and creativity within the industry. By rewarding original storytelling and production techniques, the AMVCA drives growth and economic development by generating revenue, creating job opportunities, and attracting investments. Moreover, the event showcases African culture, fashion, and heritage, promoting diversity and countering stereotypes.
Full list of nominees
Best Digital Content
National Treasure - Adebola Adeyela (Lizzy Jay)
Medical Negligence and Copyright Infringement - Isaac Ayomide Olayiwola (Layi Wasabi)
Hello Neighbour - Elozonam Ogbolu, Lina idoko and Jemima Osunde
The Boyfriend - Maryam Apaokagi-Greene
Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)
Mami Wata (CJ Fiery Obasi)
Jagun Jagun (Femi Adebayo)
Ijogbon (Kunle Afolayan)
Orisa (Odunlade Adekola)
Nana Akoto (Kwabena Gyansah)
Best Supporting Actor
Alexx Ekubo (Afamefuna)
Demola Adedoyin (Breath of Life)
Itele d Icon (Jagun Jagun: The Warrior)
Gregory Ojefua (This is Life)
Timini Egbuson (A Tribe Called Judah)
Levi Chikere (Blood Vessel)
Ropo Ewenla (Over the Bridge)
Best Supporting Actress
Joke Silva (Over the Bridge)
Fathia Williams (Jagun Jagun – The Warrior)
Bimbo Akintola (The Black Book)
Genoveva Umeh (Breath of Life)
Eliane Umuhire (Omen)
Tana Adelana (Ijogbon – Chaos)
Ejiro Onojaife (The Origin: Madam Koi Koi)
Best Lead Actor
Wale Ojo (Breath of Life)
Stan Nze (Afamefuna)
Marc Zinga (Omen)
Gideon Okeke (Egun)
David Ezekiel (Blood Vessel)
Richard Mofe Damijo (The Black Book)
Adedimeji Lateef (Jagun Jagun – The Warrior)
Gabriel Afolayan (This is Lagos)
Best Lead Actress
Segilola Ogidan (Over the Bridge)
Lucie Debay (Omen)
Omowunmi Dada (Asiri Ade)
Ireti Doyle (The Origin: Madam Koi Koi)
Adaobi L. Dibor (Blood Vessel)
Evelyne Ily (Mami Wata)
Kehinde Bankole (Adire)
Funke Akindele (A Tribe Called Judah)
Best Cinematography
Mami Wata (Lílis Soares)
Blood Vessel (Gideon Chukwu)
Over The Bridge (KC Obiajulu)
Breath of Life (Ola Cardoso)
Jagun Jagun - The Warrior (Adeoluwa Owu)
Ijogbon - Chaos (Adekunle Nodash Adejuyigbe)
Omen (Joachim Philippe)
Best Editing
Chuka Ejorh And Onyekachi Banjo (Over The Bridge)
Holmes Awa (Breath of Life)
Alex Kamau And Victor Obok (Volume)
Dayo Nathaniel (Ogeere - Earth)
Antonio Ribeiro (The Black Book)
Nathan Delannoy (Mami Wata)
Best Sound Design
Ava Momoh (Over the Bridge)
Daniel Pellerin and Amin Bhatia (Kipkemboi)
Grey Jones Ossai x2 (Breath of Life and Blood Vessel)
Samy Bardet (Mami Wata)
Best Art Direction
Blood Vessel (Victor Akpan)
Over The Bridge (Abisola Omolade)
Breath of Life (Okechukwu Frost Nwankwo, Kelechi Odu)
The Black Book (Pat Nebo and Chima Temple)
Jagun Jagun: The Warrior (Tunji Afolayan)
Mami Wata (C.J Fiery Obasi)
Omen (Eve Martin)
Best Costume Design
Demola Adeyemi (Over The Bridge)
Bolanle Austin Peters, Ituen Basi, Folake Coker and Clement Effanga (Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti)
Lola Awe (Jagun Jagun: The Warrior)
Bunmi Demilola Fashina (Mami Wata)
Daniel Obasi (Breath of Life)
Best Makeup
Francesca Otaigbe (Over the Bridge)
Campbell Precious (Mami Wata)
Hadizat Gambo (Mojisola)
Hakeem Onilogbo (Jagun Jagun – The Warrior)
Feyisayo Oyebisi (A Tribe Called Judah)
Best Writing TV Series
Skinny Girl in Transit (Season 7)
Wura (Season 2)
Visa on Arrival
MTV Shuga Naija
Volume
Masquerades of Aniedo
Slum King
Best Writing in a Movie
Breath of Life (BB Sasore)
Over The Bridge (Tosin Otudeko)
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (Tunde Babalola)
Jagun Jagun: The Warrior (Adebayo Tijani)
Afamefuna (Anyanwu Sandra Adaora)
A Tribe Called Judah (Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele, Collins Okoh and Akinlabi Ishola)
Mami Wata (CJ Fiery Obasi)
Best Director
Moses Inwang (Blood Vessel)
Adebayo Tijani And Tope Adebayo (Jagun Jagun - The Warrior)
BB Sasore (Breath of Life)
Johnscott Enah (Half Heaven)
C.J. Fiery Obasi (Mami Wata)
Kayode Kasum (Afamefuna)
Tolu Ajayi (Over The Bridge)
Best Movie
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
Breath of Life
Over The Bridge
Blood Vessel
A Tribe Called Judah
The Black Book
Mami Wata
Best Documentary
Ormoilaa Ogol (The Strong One)
Lobola, A Bride’s True Price?
Empalikino (Forgiveness)
The Water Manifesto: Osun (Water for Gold)
Sowing Hope
Best Scripted Series
Volume
Wura (Season 2)
Slum King
Itura
Chronicles
Best Unscripted Series
Lol Naija (Season 1)
Nightlife In Lasgidi
The Real Housewives Of Lagos (Season 2)
Gh Queens (Season 2)
Mutale Mwanza Unscripted (Season 1)
Best Indigenous Language (East Africa)
Where The River Divides
Ormoilaa Ogol (The Strong One)
Wandongwa
Nakupenda
Itifaki
Best Indigenous Language (South Africa)
Service To Heart
Uncle Limbani
Motshameko O Kotsi
Best Multichoice Talent Factory Movie
Grown
Her Dark Past
Somewhere in Kole
Full Time Husband
The 11th Commandment
Mfumukazi
Best Scripted M-Net Original
Slum King
Half Open Window
Itura
The Passenger
Magic Room
Best Unscripted M-Net Original
What Will People Say
The Irabors’ Forever After
Nwuyee Bekee (Foreign Wives)
Date My Family Zambia
Royal Qlique (Season 2)
Best Indigenous M-Net Original
The Passenger
Nana Akoto
Apo
Irora Iya
Love Transfusion (Kiapo Cha Damu)
Best Short Film
T’egbon T’aburo
Broken Mask
Eighteenth Year
Man and Masquerades
A Place Called Forward
African Entertainment news and African music
South African Afro pop sensation Lira, who reported to suffering a stroke earlier this year, seems to be on a positive journey to recovery. She recently let her fans know that though she has not been physically affected, her speech has been impaired. In a statement made earlier by her management team, it was mentioned that “Her medical team has advised that her journey to recovery will require patience and therefore, it is unlikely that she will be able to perform in the short term. That said, Lira is in good spirits and is surrounded by her loving family and close friends as she journeys towards a full recovery. "
In a recent post on her social media pages Lira wrote
I was so happy to be in Germany , it had been 3 years since I travelled overseas due to covid and I had travelled alone to Frankfurt, the band was coming from Sweden. I arrived two days before my performance. I walked around taking in the sights and scenes and the people. I had seen a poster with the @nilslandgrenfunkunit featuring Moses and myself. I even saw the venue where we would’ve performed. I spent the whole afternoon walking.
At about 4:15pm I had a stroke, the sensation lasted about 15 minutes. I had no idea what was happening , so I kept walking and nobody could see that I had a stroke because I was walking normally. I walked into a restaurant but I couldn’t talk - I moved my mouth but words couldn’t come out. When I realised this, I just broke down. The staff at the restaurant offered me a seat. I couldn’t communicate. I thought about asking them the direction to my hotel, it was nearby - I couldn’t communicate that. Once I stopped crying and got myself together, I left. It took me 2 hours to find my hotel.
It was about 7pm when I got to my hotel - I couldn’t communicate with the receptionist so I just took a shower and tried to communicate via WhatsApp- but I could not type. The words made absolutely no sense to me. I couldn’t figure out what the letters meant and how to put them together.
I managed to get a hold of someone special to me- and got them to understand that I wasn’t alright.
23 March - Long story short - I fell asleep and in the morning my agent tried to reach me - she sent two people to my room and they figured out that I couldn’t speak. The German promoter came and called the ambulance. The paramedics couldn’t speak English and it’s only when I got to hospital that I found out that I had a stroke.
Wow !!! I was shocked . I cried the whole day - and in the morning I accepted my situation.
I had Aphasia - I couldn’t speak , or write or read. And I must say that I am lucky! Many people don’t come away with that!
I had to learn speaking as a child , learning how to say each letter , and forming a sentence. I did so joyfully though, I had no anxiety, no stress - just peace and calm. I have made such huge progress and I gave a speech at my birthday party. I’m almost there.
Thank you to all of you who kept me in your prayers and kept me in your good thoughts. You let your light shine for me.
In the year that I’ve needed to learn how to speak - I’ve enjoyed listening and the silence. I’ve learnt to be happier. I’ve learnt to enjoy the simple things. Life is a gift and I hope to celebrate the gift of life for many years
#LetThereBeLight #CelebratingLife
We wish her a speedy recovery and continue to celebrate her, and the amazing strides she has made in music.
All my love (2003)
We believe that Ofetse Pitse embodies what it means to be an African Female Voice leading the African entertainment industry. The 30 year old has elevated another score and added to her evergreen resume with her feature in Netflix's Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story alongside a 74-piece global orchestra made up of black women performing the hit single If I Ain't Got You by Alicia Keys.
She is the first and youngest South African black woman to conduct and own an all-black orchestra, Anchored Sound. Born in Mabopane, Ofentse has what is often termed as "musical blood flowing through her veins" as her grandfather was a jazz conductor and trumpet player. Ofentse embarked on a journey to start an all-black orchestra with classical musicians, that from 8 to 19 to a 40-piece symphony orchestra. The orchestra stems from a choir she founded in Kahlehong, were she hand-picked and and trained young people. Ofentse was mentored by Thami Zungu, head of music at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), and Gerben Grooten, the conductor of the University of Pretoria Philharmonic. “In the beginning, the dream was a silent dream,” she says. “I didn’t really share my ideas, I was just thinking of how far I wanted to go. I didn’t see enough representation in the brass band at church. I thought to myself, ‘hang on, I’ve not seen enough girls’! That was a leadership step.”- Ofentse said in an interview with Forbes Africa
We celebrate Ofentse as an African Female Voice
Nigerian producer, singer, and songwriter Temilade Openiyi popularly known as Tems has made her mark as a musical force to be reckoned with. From learning how to make beats through watching Youtube videos, to collaborating with iconic music superstars such as Drake, Future, and Wizkid, Tems has made it clear that she is one of one when to comes to music. Here are some of her best music moments.
In an interview with GQ, Tems revealed that she sang in a choir at an early age, and learned how to make music through watching Youtube videos. Although she studied Economics, her desire and natural inclination towards music led her to quitting her job to pursue a full time career in music.
Tems's breakout single Mr Rebel, produced by the queen herself, earned Tems her first two nominations at The Headies. She later released her first EP For Broken Ears in 2020 which featured her first hit single Damages peaking at the number one spot on Nigerian Apple Music chart.
Tems was later featured on fellow Nigerian superstar Wizkid's hit song Essence in 2020, earing her a a spot in the Billboard top 100 hits. She was also featured on Drake and Future's single, Wait for U, which sampled her song Higher.
Tems made history by becoming the first Nigerian Female artist to win the ‘Best International Act’ at the 2022 BET awards. Tems was nominated for the Best New Artist, Best International Act, and Best Collaboration for Wizkid's 'Essence' remix featuring Justin Bieber, making her the first African artist to receive three nominations in one year. Earlier this year, Tems also became the first African artist to debut at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with her feature on Wait For U by Drake alongside Future.
Tems has covered Bob Marley's No Woman, No Cry as part of the soundtrack for the Marvel movie hit Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, were she also co-wrote Rihanna’s Single Lift Me Up for the same movie. She has also been credited as one of the songwriters on Beyonce's Renaissance album.
Tems has won several awards between 2022 and 2023. These include the prestigeous Grammy for best melodic rap for the track WAIT FOR U
by Drake, Future, featuring Tems. She has also scooped a Soul Train Award, iHeartRadio award, and NAACP image award. In 2023, she was nominated for an Oscar for the Best Original Song. Tems faced backlash over her view-blocking iconic dress at the Oscars with social media saying it was disrespectful to those sitting next to her. However, this was a fashion moment for us and cemented her place as a fashion icon. She is indeed HERE.
NPR's Tiny Desk Concert had the pleasure of having RnB icon Usher perform on June 30, celebrating their Black Music Month series, supported by State Farm. This was when Omarion and Mario nearly sabotaged RnB by delivering the worst Verzuz battle since the show's establishment. Record executive and entrepreneur Diddy's 'R&B is dead' comment was poison to my ears, but hearing Usher's sweet falsetto felt like the antidote after a pretty confusing month for R&B heads.
The past couple of years have been filled with lawsuits, allegations, and tribulations for Mr. Usher Raymond IV, which seemed to be the knife into the heart of his iconic career. However, that did not stop him from selling out all the 2022 dates of his Las Vegas Residency. From falsetto to baritone, men who can sing have been stealing and breaking hearts since history began. Pressed eyelids and vibrating voice boxes will be serenading women until the end of time, but I am starting to wonder why.
The history of courtship traditions has not always been women-centric. For a long time, The Middle Ages and Medieval times, where most Western-influenced societies get their inspiration, practiced marriage by capture and abduction. Ancient civilizations like Rome experienced shortages of women, which led to the shallow justification for their kidnapping. Women have not always had a choice to be romanced before marrying off. The gender ratio has stabilized since then, and women now have the privilege to choose a partner out of love.
What is it about a man who can sing that we love so much?
Otto Jespersen, a Danish linguist, said that singing is an exclamative utterance that comes forth from the inner craving of an individual. The primitive man used singing as an essential function to celebrate and recount history. Today, the modern man uses it to convincingly communicate his worthiness to care and provide the basic, minimum services the contemporary woman requires in a relationship. In an ABC News article, Dr. Sandra Garrido, a postdoctoral research fellow at Western Sydney University, said, "We are evolutionarily programmed to respond to particular cues in the human voice and to perceive them as expressing particular emotions." Therefore, when a man sings tenderly, the tenderness within us is more likely to be stimulated.
Romance is an integral part of many people's idealization of a relationship. When a man sings earnestly, he transports you into a hypnotic trance where romance is readily available at the sound of his voice. It sounds gushy to rationalize it, but it makes a lot of sense.
The numbers add up when it comes to measuring the impact of male singers. Twelve years ago, singer-songwriter Ne-Yo had women singing 'Miss Independent' at the top of their lungs, and the 429 million views on YouTube prove that his sentiment resonated. 'When We' by singer Tank has 121 million views, and rapper Drake has 403 million views on his hit 'Take Care.'
Men who can sing are seen as romantic superheroes who rescue you from the loveless abyss of modern relationships. There is a particular sensitivity and vulnerability they radiate that we find uncontrollably attractive. Not every man lives in an environment where these emotional states are applauded or encouraged. Nevertheless, the future of love and relationships depends not on a person's ability to capture you physically but emotionally.
I am convinced that men who can sing make up for all times women in the Middle Ages were scooped and couped up in relationships where they had to be obedient. Now that a woman can make a choice, she will choose the singing voice that makes her feel like a queen the most.
Grand Slam champion Serena Williams is set to retire after over 27 years playing tennis. Her transition to focus on her role as a mom was welcomed by her daughter Olympia. Although she made this announcement, the G.O.A.T overcame Danka Kovinic in a straight-sets victory to continue on in the US Open recently.
At 17, Serena Williams won the 1999 U.S open beating beating Swiss legend Martina Hingis in straight sets in the U.S open final. She became one of the youngest female to win the title.
In 2001, Serena, Venus and their father Richard were booed and accused of match fixing, when Venus withdrew due to an injury and handed Serena a walkover to the finals. Serena and Venus have been boycotting the tournament for 14 years because of racist crowd who ‘booed lustily like a genteel lynch mob'.
In 2002, Serena Williams defeated her sister Venus Williams in the women's singles tennis title at the 2002 French Open. Serena went on to win in the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open. This is were the term "Serena Slam" originated.
Serena Williams made headlines a black iconic jumpsuit at Flushing Meadows in 2002. Although deemed controversial, this did not stop this stunner from cementing herself as a great athlete, but also a fashion icon. In the 2018 French open she stepped out in a stunning black jumpsuit and continued to create iconic fashion moments on and off the court.
Between 2003 and 2007, Williams suffered a knee injury that meant she had to withdraw from playing tennis for a year, and lost her half sister Yetunde Price who was her personal assistant, to gang violence and mistaken identity. Serena made a comeback in 2007 in the Australian Open in 2007 and played her way to the top, defeating Maria Sharapova in straight sets.
In 2012, Serena achieved her "Golden Slam" status for having won every Grand Slam at least once as well as an Olympic gold medal. Serena became the first and only player to achieve this in both singles and doubles, which she won alongside her sister Venus and won against .
Sharapova in the women's singles final. Who could forget her iconic California "crip walk" dance to celebrate her victory.
In 2007, Serena conquered the women's singles final against her sister Venus during the Australian Open. It was revealed that Serena was 8 weeks pregnant at the time. Her win at the Australian open signified her 23rd grand slam title.
Serena Williams welcomed her daughter Olympia in 2017. Serena revealed that she almost died giving birth to her baby girl. Her daughter was born through emergency C-section after her heart rate dropped during contractions. 24 hours after giving birth, Serena suffered a pulmonary embolism. Thanks to the medical care she receive, she was able to get assistance and enjoy the rest of her journey as a mother.
In 2018, Serena confronted chair umpire Carlos Ramos after he accused her of receiving coaching during a U.S. Open match. She was fined $17000 for breaking a racket and calling Ramos a “thief” and a “liar.”
Name: Yemi Cregx
Age: 30
Location: originally from Ekiti State in Nigeria, now in Lagos
Occupation: Model, actor
Tall, dark, and handsome Yemi Cregx is confident and outgoing. While he is a highly competitive individual, he’s also known for wearing his heart on his sleeve.
Queen Nefertiti of Ancient Egypt
Superpower- Persuasion
Highlight- Influencing the practice in Monotheism
The All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) received a record-high 9076 entries for the 8th edition of the prestigious award ceremony. The entry submissions, which started on 30 May and closed on 5 August at midnight, saw a 2.2% increase in submissions from the 2021 edition, which reveals the exciting development of the African creative industry.
Hadja Kobele, a juror representing the diaspora in North America, praised the record-breaking entries this year. "This development is a clear indicator that AFRIMA is the pinnacle of African music globally, and Africans value the importance of celebrating themselves, as culture remains one of our strongest tools for global unification, as well as economic growth," she said.
Mike Dada, AFRIMA's Executive President, speaks highly of the hope the awards have brought to the continent and is enthusiastic about bringing African music and culture to global acclaim. "As the rest of the world celebrates our popular music, it is important that we honour and safeguard our pioneering and iconic genres, which have shaped our global image for several decades," he said to delegates during a meeting with the Democratic Republic of Congo's government in Kinshasa.
The AFRIMA features a 4-day fiesta of music, glitz, and glamour, recognizing and rewarding the talent of African artists past and present. Nigeria hosted the 2021 All Africa Music Awards. Afro Pop duo Blaq Diamond and rapper Focalistic lead the nominations. The awards feature regional categories such as Best Male/Female Southern African and continental categories such as Best African Act in The Diaspora.
The public unveiling of nominees and participation in the voting will be announced on the AFRIMA website once the pre-screening processes are complete. The main award ceremony is scheduled for 3-6 November 2022.
African entertainment and music
Ghanaian songstress MzVee has released her much anticipated album titled 10 thirty. The ten-track masterpiece features artists such as Yemi Alade, Tiwa Savage, Harmonize, and many more. This special piece of work showcases her influences from hip-hop, bongo flava, Afrobeats, highlife and amapiano. This 5th studio album from MzVee is a celebration of her 10 years in the industry from starting off as girl-band lead singer to a sensational solo artist.
Broadway's biggest night took place at New York City at Radio City Music Hall, celebrating top performances in the theatre industry. The 75th annual Tony Awards, was nothing short of a success, following earlier disruptions by the COVID-19 pandemic. Jennifer Hudson celebrated her EGOT status, as the second Black woman to have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony for her work in Dreamgirls, Respect, Baba Yaga, Strange Loop, and her self titled album. Another black broadway star, Joaquina Kalukango, won a Tony Award as Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her performance in Paradise Square. Check out all the red carpet looks.
African Entertainment news and African music exclusive
From Trevor Noah's return as the Grammys host, to Black Coffee winning his first Grammy for the Best Dance/Electronic Music Album, African artists are climbing up the global ladder and showcasing endless possibilities. African Female Voices also celebrates a true global African female voice and icon Angélique Kidjo who won Best Global Music Album for Grammys. Other African nominees for the 64th Grammy awards include Wizkid, Burna Boy. and Ladysmith Black Mambazo who have continued to sell out shows globally.
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