There’s so much more to the MMAs than just the awards ceremony
|||Helen Herimbi
The road to the MMAs is paved with information and entertainment. For the 15th annual Metro FM Music Awards, the national radio station is pulling out all the stops ahead of the ceremony at the Durban ICC on Saturday. The awards will also be broadcast live on SABC1.
But first, a series of parties, a variety of shows and a workshop will precede the do.
Today, a music workshop that is free to all starts things. To be held at the Umlazi Community Hall, the workshop will be in line with the MMAs’ tagline: “Legends don’t stop, they ask: ‘what’s next?’”
Kwaito living legend, Oskido, will be a guest speaker at the workshop hosted by Mo Flava and Siya Mhlongo. Other guests will include DJ Tira and Zakes Bantwini in sessions that will address music rights, understanding contracts and networking in the industry.
Speaking about the workshop through a press release, Metro FM’s station manager, Sibongile Mtyali, said: “The aim of the workshop is to further create a sustainable industry and musicians who better understand the space in which they operate. This is to ensure that they are equipped to handle being taken for granted by people seeking to use their talents for selfish gains through the power of education.”
Then on Thursday, the Durban Playhouse Opera Theatre will be the venue for laughter. The 99% Zulu Comedy organiser, Monwabisi Grootboom, has partnered with the station to present the likes of Tol A$$ Mo, Jason Goliath, Sifiso Nene, Simphiwe Shembe and more on stage.
On Friday, Fashion Meets Music will be the exclusive fashion show that is inspired by the marriage of music and all things fashionable. Some of the biggest musicians in the country will get on their catwalk swag and model clothes by designers including David Tlale, Thula Sindi, Alfalfa and Tribal Skin. The show will be curated by Ephymol. DJs Lulo Café and the Naked DJ will broadcast their show, Audiogasm, live from the fashion show.
Also on Friday, there will be live music and dinner at Zorka Lounge where Thebe, Naima Kay, Kelly Khumalo and Vincent Bones (among others) will perform, while Glen Lewis, Ismail Abrahams, DJ Bongz and more will play.
There will also be a kwaito vs house pre-party at Eyadini on the same night, while Absolute Club will play host to the official hip hop pre-party featuring Dreamteam, Kwesta, Fifi Cooper, Aewon Wolf as well as the Major League DJs, T-Bo Touch and more.
If you’re still in town on Sunday, the Canelands Beach Club and Spa in Ballito will shut down the weekend with the likes of Wilson B Nkosi, Nothemba Madumo, Sentle and more at the Love Movement meets Urban Jazz after party.
Visit www.metrofmmusicawards.co.za.