The YAMAs a night to savour
Monkagedi Gaothobogwe | Monday November 24, 2014 16:16
A larger-than-life LED screen displaying the live performances was a marvel to behold. Perhaps the most eye- catching of those was K-boss’ performance of his traditional music inspired hip-hop track with Mafitlhakgosi. As performances were displayed, the screen switched to visuals of the Kalahari that had the effect of makaing the dancers appear to be in a desert.
The first two hours of the show (pre-show) was set aside for red carpet moments: Guests arrived, dressed to impress, and posed for pictures in front of the YAMA backdrops before they proceeded to show off their cash power at the cash bar. VIP’s, in the other hand, were given exclusive VIP treatment in their area where they enjoyed finger foods and drinks galore. The pre-show two hours was a thrilling build-up to the main event.
Pop star Lizibo arrived in a limo, and came out walking with a majestic stick and looking very stylish in his suit. Zeus killed it with bright colours and was seen walking hand-in-hand with a woman named Cindy.
The event was also attended by the winners of the Yarona FM sms competition that was sponsored by Orange. Winners from as far as Kasane and other parts of the country given special VIP treatment as they enjoyed the YAMAs from the balcony of the GICC. Orange sponsored their weekend getaway at the YAMAs, which included accommodation at the Grand Palm.
Yarona FM used its inaugural music awards to celebrate its own legends and pioneers in grand style.
An exciting short documentary with interviews of the station’s legends and pioneers was played on the LED screen. They narrated the tale of ‘how it all began’ as the station used the YAMAs to celebrate its 15 years. In between the awards categories, the documentary was used as a breather to amazing effect. The likes of Brando, Robbie Rob, Percy Raditladi, all told the Yarona FM story.
Kwaito legend Skizo got a surprise honour on Saturday at the YAMA’s when a performance was dedicated to honouring his music legacy. The organisers of the inaugural Yarona FM music awards assigned hot kwaito joint, MMP Family the task of re-doing Skizo’s all time hits, to the delight of the hundreds of fans gathered at the GICC.
Skizo, real name David Molotsi, was part of the kwaito revolution at Kalawa Jazmee records producing for the likes of Trompies, Mashamplane, Brothers of Peace, Mafikizolo, to name a few.
As the MMP family performed their tribute, Skizo, dressed in suit and bow tie was seated in front at the VIP floor looked at a lost for words.
The spectacular also saw a rare appearance by one of the pioneers of kwaito music, T-Joint, as the duo of Tebatso Hule, now Human Resources officer with Debswana, and T.H.A.B.O, radio presenter with RB2, emerged to do their Chencha Number, before a raved up SCAR shook the crowd with Metlholo, from his Open Bar album, and did Ke batla biri, with T.H.A.B.O.
K-Boss, the winner of the Coca-Cola best Hip-hop/Motswako category was a beauty to behold on stage as he performed Garass Pampiri, and his latest hit featuring traditional dancers, Mafitlhakgosi .
According Robin Chivazve, owner of the event organising company that put together the show-Ventura- the YAMAS is scheduled to air on e-Botswana on a date to be announced. Chivazve added that the YAMAs could also air on Btv and Dstv, as it is their strategy to take the YAMAs to everyone, in Botswana and beyond, “because we have so much talent to showcase in Botswana”.