TREVOR NOAH TO HOST THE MTV AFRICA MUSIC AWARDS JOHANNESBURG 2016

South African comedy legend and host of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” Trevor Noah is heading home to host the sixth edition of the MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016 (MAMA), Africa’s most prestigious music awards ceremony.

The MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016 is brought to you by Joburg Tourismin partnership with Absolut Vodka and Google and in association with MTN and DStv.

Commented Trevor Noah, "I'm a huge fan of African music and achievement, and it's going to be a massive pleasure celebrating them both at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2016 in my own home town of Johannesburg."

Commented Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN Africa), “Trevor Noah is an outstanding entertainer, and testament to the amazing talent that Africa has to offer the world. To have him host the MAMA, our annual celebration of Africa music, creativity and achievement, is a powerful and inspiring message. We are delighted that our first ever show in Johannesburg will be presented by one of the city’s most loved and admired personalities.”

Noah will preside over the live 2-hour telecast at the Ticketpro Dome, Johannesburg on 22 October 2016. Featuring performances from stand-out African stars like Alikiba, Babes Woduma, Cassper Nyovest, Nasty C, Ycee and Yemi Alade, MAMA 2016 will also stream online on www.mtvbase.com. Further performers are to be announced shortly.

Previous hosts of the MAMA have included Wyclef Jean, Eve, Marlon Wayans, Anthony Anderson and Trevor Nelson.

Highlighting the “gold standard” in contemporary music, creativity and achievement, The MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016 promises to be the biggest and best ever, with more than 15,000 fans expected to fill out theTicketpro Dome for the joyous celebration. Tickets for the awards are on sale now priced ZAR 250 (standing only) via www.ticketpros.co.za, and at Ticketpro retail outlets or dealers. Over 18s only.

The definitive annual celebration of African and international talent and achievement, MAMA 2016 recognises and rewards musicians and achievers who have made the most impact on African music and youth culture over the previous year. The ceremony will feature stunning performances from African and international artists along with the show’s signature cross-genre and cross-border collaborations.

The MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016 will broadcast live on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and MTV (DStv Channel 130) on Saturday 22 October at 21:00 CAT. The show will also be transmitted worldwide on partner stations and content platforms from October onwards, while MTV channels around the world will broadcast a one-hour MAMA-themed MTV World Stage.

For more information go to www.dstv.com

IDOLS XII PRESENTS THE TOP 10 CONTESTANTS

In a spectacular show that had all the makings of a high octane concert, Idols SA unveiled this season’s Top 10!

The stage was set ablaze by A-list chart-topping musicians that included Emtee, Fifi Cooper, Black Motion, Idols Season9 winner Musa, Robbie Malinga, Arthur Mafokate and Chomee. The contestants also put on a stunning showcase, with the girls singing Beyoncé’s power anthem Freedom, while the guys serenaded the audience and viewers with a medley of Prince’s songs featuring Purple Rain.

But all good things come to an end, and it was up to host Proverb to announce which five contestants had sung their swan song on the Idols stage. The remaining 10, two of which were saved by the judges, will battle it out for Mzansi’s votes as they fight to stay in the competition.

The Idols SA Season XII’s Top 10 contestants are….

Lucia Jakeni (26) from Vereeniging in Gauteng. When she entered Idols SA for the second time, she had one focus only – to pick the songs that will make her husky rough diamond voice shine brighter than any other on the show. So far, so good.

Noma Khumalo (22) from Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. The Grade 4-7 assistant teacher by day and vocalist in a band by night is fast becoming the soul sister of the season with her heart-tugging song choices.

Valentine Mathe (20) from Mamelodi, outside Pretoria. Her infectious smile and love for life translate every time she takes to the stage to belt out a song. Born on Valentine’s Day, she epitomises love and happiness.

Nosihe Zulu (28) from Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. Her performances have been dominated by contemporary strong female songs that have served her well. She certainly made an indelible impression when she brought her young brother to the auditions.

Keegan Martin (23) from Roodepoort in Gauteng. Fourth time’s the charm for this young singer. The first three times he didn’t get far; finally trying his luck this season to rave reviews from the judges seeing him make the Top 10.

Thamsanqa Mathonsi (20) from Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal. Music is his first love, so much so that he studies it. Now that he is on Idols, he is learning that knowing the theory does necessarily make this tough competition easier. His talent and flexibility have served him well enough to get to the Top 10 so far.

Tebogo Louw (24) is from Stellenbosch, Western Cape. Arguably the most watched and talked about returnee by the judges, he knows that he does not have an easy road ahead. So far, his single-minded focus has seen him impress all round.

Terra Kocks (28) Eden Park, Alberton. When he steps on to the Idols stage, not only does he open himself to every single emotion the song demands, but his incredibly layered voice sees him leave his soul on that very stage.

Sanele Mkhize (21) is from Ntumaza in KwaZulu-Natal. During his audition, Somizi called him “refreshing” and Randal said Robbie Malinga, whose song he sang, would love him.

Bevin Samuels (19) from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. He was the first to receive four yesses in Cape Town where he auditioned, bowling the judges over with his performance of Billionaire by Bruno Mars.

For more, visit our website: www.idolssa.dstv.com/home.

Join the Idols SA conversation via social media on:

Our website: www.idolssa.tv or be part of the conversation via the following social media platforms:

Facebook: Idols South Africa (www.facebook.com/IdolsSA)

Twitter: @IdolsSA #IdolsSA

Instagram: @IdolsSA

WeChat ID: IdolsSA

…AND THEN THERE WERE TEN ON IDOLS SA!

Sunday night, Idols SA started off on a sombre note when host and executive producer Proverb announced the passing of South African kwaito legend Mandoza. The man who united Mzansi with his cross-over chart topping hit, Nkalankatha, succumbed to cancer earlier in the day.

But in true Mzansi form, the mood picked up to a celebratory tone when new-age hip hop kids Fifi Cooper and Emtee took to the stage to perform their hit, Koze Kuse.

They were quickly followed by the Idols Top 16 Girls performing Beyonce’s militant Freedom. Dressed in all black, full of attitude and a choreography resonating with the tone of the song, they had the crowd eating out of their clenched fists.

As is the nature of Mzansi’s granddaddy of reality singing shows, the good times were quickly followed by the terse time.

Luke and Lucia were the first to come up to hear their fate. The husky-voiced Lucia breathed a sigh of relief when it was announced that she was safe, thanks to the public votes. Luke, on the other hand, was in the fate of the judges.

To break the tension, Season 9 winner Musa came on to serenade the crowd alongside Afro-pop kingpin Robbie Malinga with their ballad Mthande.

Amanda, Valentine and Noma were next on the chopping block. Of the three, Amanda didn’t get enough votes and was her fate was also left to the judges.

The last of the ladies, Sgherdeed and Nosihe, joined Proverb on stage to hear their fate. Nosihe proved to be one of the country’s favourites and made it through to the Top 10.

A medley of Price’s hits including Purple Rain and When Doves Cry was the Top 16 Guys’ entry melody, no doubt having judge Randall Abrahams – a huge fan of the late virtuoso - all up in his feelings. Looking dapper in black and white, they charmed their way into the audience even more.

Keegan and Terra were the absolute hit of last week’s show, receiving Performance of the Night accolades from the judges. The country agreed, and both went through to the Top 10.

The Ambitiouz Crew kept the tempo up with their energetic fusion of kwaito, hip hop and gqom, keeping the Pretoria State Theatre lit with “nu skool” fusion!

Thamsanqa, Bevin and Lusanda were the next in the spotlight. Nerves and anxiety permeated the air as Proverb delivered the verdict: none of the three had garnered enough votes to make it to the Top 10, leaving them in the mercy of the judges.

The viewers and audience had hardly had time to absorb the shock when Thami, Tebogo and Sanele were called up. Fortunately they didn’t have to wait long, and it was elation all round when returnees Sanele and Tebogo went through to the Top 10.

Black Motion feat. Dr Moruti with Heartless Intentions gave everyone a breather from the terse announcements.

Still, the nervous energy was palpable backstage as the three girls and four guys waited to see if they would be one of the two saved by the judges. Knowing that this is the one and only week the judges can use their wildcard votes ratcheted up the tension even more.

As in the nature off all competition, there has to be winners and losers. For Idols SA season 12, it was goodbye to Luke, Amanda, Sgherdeed, Lusanda and Thamsaqa; leaving Sanele and Bevin to round off the Top 10.

In an ironic but fitting twist in light of a fallen kwaito giant, the closing performance featured Mandoza’s compatriots in kwaito greatness in the form of the 999 Music stablemates Arthur, Chomee and Ishmael.

For more, visit our website: www.idolssa.dstv.com/home.

Join the Idols SA conversation via social media on:

Our website: www.idolssa.tv or be part of the conversation via the following social media platforms:

Facebook: Idols South Africa (www.facebook.com/IdolsSA)

Twitter: @IdolsSA #IdolsSA

Instagram: @IdolsSA

WeChat ID: IdolsSA

For more information please visit www.dstv.com

NASTY C, YEMI ALADE & BABES WODUMO TO LIGHT UP THE STAGE AT THE MTV AFRICA MUSIC AWARDS JOHANNESBURG 2016

African stars Yemi Alade, Nasty C and Babes Wodumo are to dazzle fans with electrifying performances at Joburg’s first ever edition of the MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016 (MAMA).

The MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016, brought to you by Joburg Tourism in partnership with Absolut and Google and in association with MTN and DStv, will take place at The Ticket pro Dome, Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday 22 October2016.

Highlighting the “gold standard” in contemporary music, creativity and achievement, The MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016 promises to be the biggest and best ever, with more than 15,000 fans expected to fill out the Ticketpro Dome for the unique celebration.  Tickets for the awards go on sale on 7 September priced ZAR 250 (standing only) via www.ticketpro.co.za,

The definitive annual celebration of African and internationaltalent and achievement, MAMA 2016 recognises and rewards musicians and achievers who have made the most impact on African music and youth culture over the previous year. The ceremony will feature stunning performances from African and international artists along with the show’s signature cross-genre and cross-border collaborations

MAMA 2016 will celebrate African talent across 18 award categories, including Best Male, Best Female, Best Song andBest Collaboration in partnership with Absolut. The contribution of artists from Portuguese and French-speaking Africa will also be recognised in the Best Lusophone and Best Francophone categories. Additional categories include the Africa Re-Imagined Award and Personality of the Year.The nominations for the awards will be revealed in two parts: on 21 September in Johannesburg, and in Lagos on 2 October.

Celebrating the pan-African scope of the MAMA, the awards will encompass two stunning Road to MAMA events featuring MAMA nominees and superstar DJs, to be held in Durban and Lagos.  Another much-anticipated element of MAMA 2016 will be a music industry workshop for aspiring musicians held on the day prior to the awards (21 October).

First staged in 2008, the MTV Africa Music Awards has recognised the talent of musicians, achievers and personalities from across Africa, rewarding iconic artists and game changers such as 2Face Idibia, Big Nuz, Cassper Nyovest, Davido, D’Banj, Flavour, Gangs of Ballet, HHP, Fally Ipupa, Liquideep, Mafikizolo, Lira, Nameless, Lupita Nyong’o, Clarence Peters, Diamond Platnumz, Anselmo Ralph, Sarkodie, P-Square, Tiwa Savage, Cabo Snoop, Toofan, Trevor Noah, Zebra & Giraffe, Uhuru, Wahu, Yemi  Alade, and many more.

The MTV Africa Music Awards2016 will broadcast live on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and MTV (DStv Channel 130) on Saturday 22 October at 21:00 CAT.The show will also be transmitted worldwide on partner stations and content platforms from October onwards, while MTV channels around the world will broadcast a one-hour MAMA-themed MTV World Stage.

For more information on the 2016 MTV Africa Music Awards, please go to www.mtvbase.com or www.mtv.co.za like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MTVBaseVerified, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @MTVBaseAfrica. To join the conversation about the awards please use the hashtag #MTVMAMA2016.

Catch the New Football Season On SuperSport

·        ALL 760 games of the new Premier League & La Liga seasons to be available on DStv

·        SuperSport to bring viewers unprecedented football coverage which includes UEFA Super Cup, Champions League, the FA Cup, the Capital ONE Cup, the Spanish Super Cup, Copa Del Rey final and the German Cup and more

 

August 9, 2016 – The best football leagues in the world are back and from Saturday 13 August 2016, the World of Champions, SuperSport, will bring football fans in Africa all the live action of the new season in HD glory on DStv!

Football fans where given a preview of the upcoming season last weekend when DStv showcased the much-anticipated Community Shield clash which saw Man United scoop their first silverware over last season’s Premier League title-holders, Leicester City. And if the hype and hysteria of the previous season is any indication, the looming Premier League is bound to be just as captivating with all 380 matches of the new season available on DStv!

At least 300 of the matches will be broadcast live, confirming SuperSport as the football destination of choice for viewers across Africa. The sports channel’s breadth and depth of the coverage, which will include first-class Premier League TV buildups with respected analysts, will remain unrivalled on the continent.

This coming season will bring an exciting new dimension with the Premier League scheduling Friday fixtures for the very first time. These, too, will be part of SuperSport’s vast Premiership offering to football fans. As usual, Saturdays will be firm football days with simultaneous 4pm (CAT) kickoffs that will see SuperSport air up to three extra games at a time over multiple SuperSport channels SS3, SS5, SS6, SS7 and SS11. The popular 24-hour Premier League channel will continue as standard on SS11, reaffirming SuperSport as the home of international football.

There will be little respite for Premiership fans as there will also be five weeks in the season with mid-week games that will air on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Depending on channel availability, all 10 matches could be broadcast live, as was the case in the previous season.

The season begins on Saturday 13 August and concludes on May 21, 2017.

But that’s not all!

DStv Compact customers will continue to enjoy the best football leagues in the world this new football season. SS11 will continue to be the home of the EPL while SuperSport 12 will once again become a dedicated 24-hour La Liga channel where fans of teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona will have plenty to enthuse about when the season starts on 19 August 2016.

Thanks to the Spanish league’s staggered kick-off times, up to 80 percent of the 380 matches will be live. The balance of games will be on either SS5 or SS7 on an either live or delayed basis.

SuperSport will also broadcast the UEFA Super Cup (Real Madrid v Sevilla) on Tuesday, August 9, plus the Champions League, of which 100 of the 125 matches will be broadcast live from September 13 until the final in June 2017.

The Europa League will also enjoy wall-to-wall coverage – 205 matches in all with at least 120 live. Other great football properties on SuperSport include the FA Cup, the Capital ONE Cup, the Spanish Super Cup, Copa Del Rey final and the German Cup.

 

To ensure that no DStv football fan will miss out on the action, there will also be extensive football action from around the globe via the SuperSport website as well as the new SuperSport app, both of which offer extensive live streaming options, as well as video highlights. The popular DStv Catch Up service on the DStv Explora will also include highlights of all the major football fixtures. Additionally, all the latest live scores, results and breaking news can be found at the supersport.com website, app and mobile versions.

For more information on the unmatched football available on DStv and upcoming fixtures, visit www.supersport.com.

Africa Magic and MultiChoice announce 2017 AMVCAS

CALL FOR ENTRIES

09 August 2016 - Africa Magic, in association with Multichoice and proud sponsors Amstel Malta, is announcing the call to entry for the 2017 edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs), the prestigious initiative that honours film and TV talent across the continent. Billed to hold on the 3^rd and 4^th of March 2017, this will also mark the fifth consecutive year of the awards. 

The AMVCAs were created to celebrate the contribution of African filmmakers, actors and technicians in the success of the continent’s film and television industry and with the success of the previous four editions, preparations are in top gear for the 2017 edition. Entries for the AMVCAs opened on the 1^st of August and close on the 15^th of October, 2016.

Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, Director for M-Net West Africa, said: “We are pleased to announce the call to entry for the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. The African movie and television industry is brimming with exciting talent, and at Africa Magic we contribute to the industry by not only giving these talents the platform to showcase their skills and passion, but by celebrating their achievements whilst also encouraging them to continue honing their craft.”

At the fifth edition of the AMVCAs, a number of awards in different categories will be presented ranging from acting and directing to scriptwriting and cinematography. Other categories will include editing, soundtrack, make-up, sound, and lighting amongst others. For 2017 there are 27 categories in all, with 16 open to viewers and 11 decided by the AMVCA panel of judges.

MultiChoice Zambia Acting Managing Director Ngoza Kasunga Matakala said the Zambian film industry is quickly budding and deserves to be noticed at continental level. “There is great talent in Zambia and we are happy that Zambezi Magic has in the past year worked very hard to bring this talent to the fore. People around the Southern African region particularly, and Africa as a whole, can now see what Zambia offer in film. The AMVCA are a great platform for this great talent to be recognized and rewarded. I urge the local film industry to take interest and participate in these awards,” she said.

Films, made-for-television movies or television series previously entered into or nominated for an award, or awarded a prize in another film and television competition are eligible to be entered for the 2017 AMVCAs, and all films, made-for-television movies or television series are eligible for entry to the AMVCA if they are broadcast or publicly screened during the period of October 1^st, 2015 to September 30^th, 2016.

Entry for the AMVCAs is free and the closing date for submissions is the 15^th of October 2016.

Please see entry guidelines below:

ENTRY GUILDLINES:

STEP 1

Prepare a 2 to 3 minute long showreel for your online submission.

STEP 2

Log on to www. africamagic.tv and navigate to the submission page.  

Step 3

Fill out the submission forms and upload the clip. A unique reference number will be allocated to each completed online submission

Depending on their location, participants should send their entries to either of the following addresses, quoting their unique reference number:

Attention: Hadizat Ibrahim (Nigeria)

MSS Local Productions

4 industrial street, off town planning way, Illupeju, Lagos. 

Attention: Neo Phele (South Africa)

Magic Center

137 Bram Fischer Drive, Randburg, 2123, South Africa.

Attention: Margaret Mathore (Kenya)

2nd floor, M-Net Offices

Local Production studio, Jamhuri Grounds off Ngong Road, Nairobi, Kenya.

For more information on entry requirements and submission procedures, please log on to www.africamagic.tv

FROM SLIMY CHESTS TO WRECKING BALLS, CARNIVAL CITY BROUGHT OUT THE ABSURD ON IDOLS SA!

Johannesburg will go down as the city with the most ludicrous cast of characters coming to audition on Idols SA so far.

This week saw the audition tour parking at Carnival City where than 1600 people defied gloomy weather to come take a shot at musical fame. Somizi Mhlongo debuted a new hairstyle which came in handy during his faux sangoma impersonation, Gareth Cliff rediscovered a favourite toy and a twitchy finger, Randall Abrahams went “poof” and Unathi Msengana … well, Unathi cried.

But back to the contestants.

There was Amos, a repeat offender who was rejected in Pretoria when he auditioned with a confusing rendition of Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud. Obviously believing that the judges must have been suffering from hearing loss that time, Amos came back at Carnival City to “bless” the four with his remarkable voice. So sure was Amos of his massive talent that he didn’t bother to change a single thing from his previous audition.

So it should not have come as a surprise to him that the judges were also not going to change their minds. It remained a firm no, and a crushed Amos went from utter disbelief to sobs in the blink of an eye.

A sad ending to his fantasy indeed, but his was not the only “happily never after”. And with each rejection came the blame game. Some excuses were comical, others downright outlandish, and all of them defied logic.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom, however. Take 16 year-old Celine Nato  from Edenvale. She received the first Golden Ticket of the day when she serenaded the judges singing Confetti by Tori Amos. Siyakha Tshayela, 22, from Vosloorus also received four nods, with Somizi comparing her to the late Lulu Dikana and Randall calling her “refreshing”.

And there was Terra Cox, who reduced Unathi to tears when he belted out Gladys Knight’s Neither One of Us. The 28 year-old from Eden Park dedicated the song to his late mother.

Still, not everyone had it easy and bets were wagered for the release of the Golden Ticket. Sgherdeed Ross has Somizi to thank for hers after he cajoled Gareth into giving the last-chance 30 year-old a yes.   Now if Sgherdeed doesn’t make it past the second round of auditions during Theatre Week, Somizi will take Gareth on a shopping spree and give him a fashion overhaul all at his expense. No pressure Sgherdeed!

Idols SA season 12 is on Mzansi Magic, DStv channel 161 on Sundays at 17h30 CAT.

For more Idols SA action, visit our website: www.idolssa.tv   or be part of the conversation via the following social media platforms:

Facebook: Idols South Africa (www.facebook.com/IdolsSA) 

Twitter: @IdolsSA #IdolsSA

Instagram: @IdolsSA

WeChat ID: IdolsSA

For more information go to www.dstv.com

Day 1 of Oktoberfest 4 Goes Cosmic: Zambia Is Not Ready for Day 2wo Tho

Day 1 of Oktoberfest 4  Goes Cosmic: Zambia Is Not Ready for Day 2wo Tho

by the Sum Up by The Apache Kempson Festival Jedi

@ZambiazHarshTag @KempsonAri

M usic festivals do not come any bigger than this in Zambia and its World Class…“Don’t this ish just make you wanna jump jump”… if I wasn’t the Godfather of blogging and didn’t need to quench your FOMO (the best cure for FOMO tho is being there) needs tho… Ladies and Gents, Zambia is not ready for The Biggest Musical Party of 2015 tho… @RandGzambia #R&GOktoberfest 4. As I blog the Day 1 wrap up live and direct, my Shazam has been nonstop live… The big P Paratus have delivered on the FREE Wi-Fi (Zambians can not exhaust the bundles even if they tried). Yeap I jogged here tho and danced off a foot cramp… cue music Jedi now.  Dj Joe Mfalme @DjJoeMfalme our Great Lakes neighbor set it off with that Kenyan energy to the deck with throw back club classics only a seasoned Dj and clubbers would know tho. He was not done with his set yet, he had some club bangers for the trendy listeners tho. As for GoodLuck @GoodLuck… it was a stellar performance of the highest quality… Live sax and electro percussion with rich silky vocals to jazz up sound (I didn’t get my free T-shirt tho so can I get a Follow tho instead after the exclusive of course!) brought the festival energy levels to cosmic. It did not pause with the boogie caused by the infectious Cape tunes. And then Dj Blocks @DjBlocksZambia and Dj Dutch @sebastiendutch got busy with a mash up to finish the party people tho… Epic and another first tho!  No need to wait for the @Pepsi freebies tho, soon as they see you get in, there T-eez for you but wait revelers, theirs is another tent for the hardcore house ravers tho under the auspices of Dj Funky G and @Shotzismyname… Yes that’s were the two sport channels are showing with a full fledged bar and cocktail mixologist even… we got erybuddy coverd folks. Had to get my Doro on ryt quick tho!  Did I mention the Ice Cold Castle light chill tho… Lemme stop with the give away’s tho… *Scorpion Voice* Get over here! Even the guy form the Zamtel ad is hur.