Rwanda’s R&B songstress Knowless Butera has been nominated in one of Continent’s most prestigious awards for urban Music, HiPipo awards, in the ‘Africa Best Female Artiste’ category. Her song, Mbaye wowe, featuring Passy Kizito from boy group TNP, was also nominated for Song of the Year: Rwanda accolade. Organisers of the awards announced the nominees on January 2, ahead of the eight edition of the awards grand finale slated for March 16, under the theme ‘#WeTheBest’, and steps further to celebrate Africa’s top cream. Voting for the pan-African awards began on January 6, and members of the public have until March 15, to select their favourite artistes. Public voting constitutes 70 per cent of all votes, while 30 per cent will come from members of the media as well as previous HMA winners and nominees. Last year, singer Bruce Melodie scooped the ‘East Africa Best Breakthrough Artiste’, beating Ben Pol and Darassa from Tanzania, his Rwandan counterparts Meddy and The Ben, Nyanshinki and The Band BeCa from Kenya, and Lydia Jazmine from Uganda. Meddy, on the other hand, bagged the Song of the Year Rwanda accolade for his song Slowly. See the full list of nominees below. Rwanda Video of The Year Riderman Ft. Dream Boyz – Romeo and Juliet Queen Cha – Winner Meddy – Adi Top Deejay Pius and Lady Jaydee – Manawe Butera Knowless Ft. Ben Pol- Darling Bruce Melodie –Blocka Song of the Year Rwanda Alpha – Yes Buravan – Oya Charly and Nina – Try Me Meddy and The Ben – Lose Control Passy Ft. Butera Knowless – Mbaye wowe Sheebah and Bruce Melodie – Embeera zo Uncle Austin Ft Meddy – Everything Africa Best Female Artiste Yemi Alade Vanessa Mdee Tiwa Savage Sheebah Daphne Butera Knowless MzVee. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
