Muzikol Awards (#MUMA2020) which was long awaited for, has come and gone like a flash light of a Nikon and my… It didn’t go without many talking points. In a bid to summarize the event, a lot might be left out, but will try to give it out the best way it can.
With a lot of awards across the national territory awarding excellence which always seem to end up in a routine manner with big question marks, MUMA’s professional work behind their branding and disruption unlike any other, made a very big statement with this initiative. With the level of intensity employed to bring a different feeling to awards in Cameroon, the award blew a fresh breeze to the music industry, something that even the most expensive air-conditioners can’t.
The event was scheduled for Saturday November 14, 2020, at 6Pm. It is fair to give credit to the organizers for their promptness in making the stage ready before the debut time. Cameras and red carpet was all set before 6PM and even though it started 5 hours later, the reason for it’s late start could be attributed organizers. Most attendees did not show up early enough for the ceremony and we all know there is no red carpet without the attendees.
The award ceremony itself wouldn’t start properly if the highlighting moments like the Red Carpet moment was not conducted. So the late start should be shifted to the attendees. The event kicked off at 11:47 PM West African Time with hosts of the night Nabil Fongod and Pam Happi as they were presented onto the stage by the DJ of the night Dertsman DJ Mix Official.
The night that was already tiring and fading would get some reawakening from the positive energy spilled by the hosts. A beautifully elegant Pam Happi cleans the dirty pool of emotions with a stunning smile and some sensual speech, accompanied by a brave and triumphing Nabil whom I cannot remember the last time he disappointed with the mic. You sure don’t know what it takes to wake up a dead Cameroonian crowd in an event at midnight.
The event proceeded with a brief speech from the president of MuMa Brian Nges whom I am sure was actually shocked at the attendance prior to his interview earlier with The HotJem on the red carpet. A lot of amazing performances from some Cameroonian artists who spiced the night like Savji Damji, Ibali, Aveiro DJESS, Vivid Smith, Mic Monsta, Rinyu and Dj6ty who’s spew great performances.
A lot of interruptions came from the DJ on stage who would interrupt the hosts. The gesture by the DJ to always feature in the scenes with a glass of whiskey was one of the most unprofessional displays of the ceremony.
A keynote speaker, Dr. Agbor Bala used a few minutes to brief how entertainers can be influential in peace building. He did his best to stay within the context and not last too long on stage as he would have loved. The man who also received a legendary award Afu Akom for his contributions to the culture would last too long on stage after earlier snubbing the chance to mount the stage to award the winner of a certain category. He cheered the crowd somehow and also made mention that in his career, no one has “Put a hand” on him and he urged Dr. Nkeng Stephens who was a winner on the night to be the first one to do so.
THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THE AWARD
There were of course a lot of loopholes that the organizers might want to correct next year so as to not stain their hard work and réputation. There were a lot of positives that they might want to maintain of step up as well. The trophies of the award this year were a never seen before in the industry. They are classy, durable and unique. They are unlike the paper and plank awards that we have been seeing around.
However, some organizers who partook in organization of the award and were also nominees, walked home with an award and this raised a lot of eye brows and put many question marks in the professionalism. The winners however might have been deserving, but the organizers for the sake of professionalism and brand protection might just have to work with a team that’s not contesting for the awards.
Given that the winners were decided based on votes, there could be an argument that the voted were not genuine, given that there were no statistics proving the margins by which the winners won. The winners were just announced, but what was proof that they were the rightful winners, and that this award is different from many others we have seen? These are some of those questions that have been asked so far. In effect, nothing can be taken away from the top-notch organization by the team.
Being the first edition of the award, there were a lot of successes Recorded and of course, a lot of lapses that would be corrected next year, we hope. MUMA 2020 regardless of who won what , is the new wave of change in the music domain. They have posed a big question to the bigger awards in the country. Many will be anxious to out in work to walk home with a prestigious award next year when the chance presents itself again.
The attendance was impressive. Despite happening on the same day as many popular events in the same city almost around the same vicinity, MUMA 2020 still got many people who popped out from their wholes to attend and COVID-19 measures which are highly neglected were not downplayed. That’s a flag hoisted already for greatness.
Congratulations to all the winners of the first edition of the best Music Award in the Country, as it stands. A special round of applause to Nabil and Happi for a tremendous job. They did well as the greats they happen to be in the domain.
