ENCORE MUSIC AWARDS - CONTINUED

BEST FEMALE ARTIST
Nominees:
Lira
Beyonce
Nelly Furtado
Simphiwe Dana
Mary J. Blige

Winner:
Beyonce


Ms. B is hands down the hardest working woman in show business. Her energy and passion is translated into her chart-topping hits and her sold-out shows across the world.

BEST MALE ARTIST
Nominees:
Kanye West
DJ Cleo
Hip Hop Pantsula
Moreira
T.I.

Winner:
Kanye West


The Louis Vuitton don had a killer season, sans the loss of his beloved mother. His third album sold 960 000 copies in the first week, an anomaly in this piracy/download ridden music environment. As icing on the cake, British GQ named him the International Man of the Year. The Grammy panel put a bigger grin on Kanye's face with 8 nominations garnered for 'Graduation'.

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (LOCAL)
Nominees:
Omen
DJ Cleo
Bongani Fassie
Nyambz
Thaso

Winner:
DJ Cleo

Cleo has paid his dues in the music business. Producing for big superstars such as Mandoza, Kabelo, Skwatta Kamp, Brickz, Brown Dash and Mzekezeke has cemented his place in the Kwaito Hall of Fame. Last year, he went a step further by producing more bangers for his multi-platinum selling Eskhaleni dance album.

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (INTERNATIONAL)
Nominees:
Kanye West
Swizz Beatz
Just Blaze
Will.i.am

Winner:
Swizz Beatz



Need we say more. Swizzy The Monster had a crazy year; gigantic hits for the likes of Eve, Gwen Stefani, Cassidy, T.I. ensured that his name stayed on everybody’s lips. His biggest accomplishment though was through Beyonce’s B’Day album on which he produced half the hits.

HUSTLER OF THE YEAR
Nominees:
50 Cent
Sbu Leope
Jay-Z
Slikour
Zola

Winner:
Jay-Z


Selling an 8 year-old clothing label for $204 million in cash should easily ensure Jigga a victory in this category. But he also flexed his business muscles by opening a 24 000 square feet 40/40 club in Las Vegas, by buying a hotel in New York City for $50 million and by purchasing another clothing label, Artful Dodger, for an estimated $15 million. Don’t front, your boy has got a PHD in Hustlenomics!

HUMANITARIAN AWARD
Nominees:
Common
Zola
Sbu Leope

Winner:
Zola



Zola’s work with his community based TV show and for UNICEF makes him the most philanthropic local music star. The bad publicity aside, Zola did put his money where his mouth is in 2007. I wish other celebrities could follow suit instead of wasting all their loot on cocaine.

BEST HIP HOP ALBUM
Nominees:
Common – Finding Forever
Tumi – Music From My Good Eye
Kanye West – Graduation
Jay-Z – American Gangster
Talib Kweli – Eardrum
Jozi – Muthaland Crunk

Winner:
Kanye West - Graduation


Stronger. Can’t Tell Me Nothing. Flash Lights. I Wonder. Good Morning. Barry Bonds.
There’s nothing else to say about this category. Kanye thwarted his competition with creative ingenuity.

BEST KWAITO ALBUM
Nominees:
L’Vovo – Derango
Trompies – Can’t Touch This
Kabelo – Exodus

Winner:
L’Vovo – Derango

L’Vovo’s debut album ushered a new era in Kwaito music. His catchy lyrics mixed with infectious beats and entertaining dance moves left everybody nodding with approval.

BEST HOUSE ALBUM
Nominees:
DJ Fresh – Definition of House 3
Oskido – Church Grooves – the 6th Commandment
DJ Sbu – Y-Lens Vol. 2
DJ Cleo – Eskhaleni 4

Winner:
DJ Cleo – Eskhaleni 4

DJ Cleo’s Eskhaleni album produced big monster summer hits that captivated dance floors across the country. The fact that he produced his album in its entirety also meant that he had one more up on the other nominees.