Artists distance themselves from Zim dancehall awards

By Tawanda Matanhire

Some artists nominated for the 2020 Zim dancehall Awards have distanced themselves from the event citing credibility issues.
Organisers of the Zim dancehall Awards yesterday announced a full list of nominations on different social media platforms for the voting period to commence.
Voting began yesterday, December 14, 2020 and ends on January 10, 2021.
The release of the nominees list has been followed by intense criticism by some players in the industry.
Artists who include Nutty O and Lazzie T have raised concerns, saying although they are appearing on list, they are not part of the awards.
“I was shocked to see my name on that list … whoever is organising these awards, I’m not a Zim dancehall reggae artist I’ a reggae artist and I don’t like it when people want to gain credibility using our names yet they have already selected their winners, no,” said the outspoken Lazzie T.
He added: “I don’t want to be part of these awards because I do not belong to them. Whoever wants to organise awards for us we are reggae artists not Zim dancehall. I was even shocked to see other artists who were never Zim dancehall artists on that list.”

Nutty O also voiced his concern saying he does not recognise the awards.
“I never submitted anything to these guys so I’m not sure on which grounds they are making me a nominee,” said the Vroom hit-maker.
“To me they are not credible and I do not recognise them.”
Zim dancehall Awards previous editions have been marred by controversy. Many artists have accused the organisers of lacking
professionalism.
The awards have almost 50 categories.
“I think #ZDA should be stayed for a year or two while they refocus and go back to basics. What’s it worth to have them when the artists do not recognise them?” said Laiton Meki.
“The same names all the time, same artists; what about upcoming artists, who will recognise them?” said Kaydor Kaydor.
“Mamwe ma category haasi neccessary apa and also too many nominees per category…,” said Tafadzwa Nicolas Mari.
Contacted for comment, organisers of the Zim dancehall Awards were not picking up calls until the time of publication. These awards are done to push a particular agenda which discredits the whole purpose of having them.
There is a proliferation of awards events in the country, particularly over the past few years. Nhau/Indaba