Nothing is perfect, but as far as awards are concerned, #SoundcityMVP is somewhere at the top of the chain in Nigeria. The 2017 edition was once-again proof of the brilliance and prestige of the award that they are good at this thing, and bar the small glitches, it was a resounding success. For those of you who didn’t go, these are the major highlights of the festival.
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The Host
Ebuka’s profile as a compere keeps rising and rising and it is such a delight to watch. Having ‘owned’ the fashion industry in 2017 – what with his famous Agbada and all – the host changed outfits twice at the MVPs, and kept the show rolling with interesting interludes and witty remarks. His performance was really good, but the show could have done without him being introduced to the stage every time he came back on. We know who Ebuka is, damn it!
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The performances
“iPhone 1 – Legbegbe …”
Only right that the show began with a performance of a Shaku Shaku song – the dance of the moment. Soon after the performance, the first set of awards were presented, then other performances followed.
The performers of the night include Small Doctor – who gave us penalty; Iyanya – who performed Good Vibes, his remake of Kevin Lyttle’s song; Seyi Shay; Tiwa Savage who did All Over and Ma lo; Cassper Nyovest – who entered with Doc Shebeleze; and Sarkodie who repped Ghana HipHop well with his bars and ended with Painkiller.
After Sark, Emtee performed the massive hit – Winning; MI Abaga raised the roof with Anoti and concluded with Fix up; Kiss Daniel – who did not perform at any major show in December did Sofa and Yeba to thunderous applause; Mayorkun – one of the best young acts of 2017 Che Che’d; and Davido wrapped up the show with his big 4 – If, Fall, Like That and Fia.
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2baba
This is very worthy of mention. While the show was about music and entertainment, one person remembered the plight of fellow Nigerians in the hands of herdsmen. That person is none other than Tuface who – after his performances – asked the government and security agencies to end the killings of innocent citizens in Benue State. Shout out to the man who has almost never wavered in his activism, and push for a better Nigeria, through his music, and platforms.
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Winners
First, we do understand that the categories were up for votes, and the people with the most eventually won. We also get how the organizers may have wanted the awards to go round, so all camps, countries, and genres are represented. Nevertheless, while most of the winners deserved it, we have some reservations about others. See full list HERE.
- First, the collaboration category, we’d have given it to Particula or YCee and Maleek Berry’s Juice, but we’re guessing the whole of Ghana and core Runtown fans came through with the votes.
- While there is a case for Mayorkun, what with Mama and Che Che, Maleek Berry definitely deserved the Best New Act win.
- How Sauti Sol did not win the best group is baffling. Anyways, diversity, yeah?
- Olamide’s Listener’s choice, Runtown’s Viewer’s choice, Wizkid’s Digital trophy, and Cassper’s Best HipHop are all deserved.
- The best female category was keenly contested – what with Simi and Niniola having had fantastic years. Tiwa won though, and it was well deserved.
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Award presenters
Starting with Shina Peller and Toke Makinwa, all the awards were presented by notable persons in the industry. VJ Adams, Bovi, Vimbai, Big Brother’s Soma (who asked the crowd to simmer down, sic), Juliet Ibrahim, Sugardaddy RMD and Olamide Adedeji (not Baddo) were also amongst those who announced and presented MVP trophies.
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Davido’s hattrick
Davido is the man of the year 2017, and his picking up 3 awards solidified that fact. As a matter of fact, if he had won every single one of the 8 categories he was nominated in, it would have been very okay. His year was that good. Also great how he mentioned Wizkid – amongst others – in his speech after winning the African Act of the year.
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Notable absentees
- Wizkid was conspicuously not at the show. But it was for a good reason. According to Mutay who received his Digital Artiste of the Year trophy, he was performing ‘daddy duties’ in the UK. Videos soon surfaced of him performing at YCee’s Juice Concert in London. Dope.
- Runtown too was not at the festival. He said he was in Vegas for a show he had committed to since August 2017.
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Originally written by Chydee for Lists.NG
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