- YAMAs 2019 to boost industry exposure
- Ideas exchange workshops set up for regional and local artists’ collaborations
Gazette Reporter
Youthful radio station Yarona FM has confirmed that next year’s installment of the Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs) will be hosted by South Africa’s media personality Bonang ‘Queen B’ Matheba alongside Leungo ‘King B’ Pitse. Slated for the 2nd of February 2019 at the GICC, the 2019 edition themed, Retro 5 is about exploring artists’ personal brands for growth in the home market and beyond.
“For 2019, King B, Botswana and Yarona FM’s Famous Brunch sensation, and Queen B – South African global brands’ ‘magnate’ and socialite will host the night of glamour. It is expected to draw local and regional artists to the much awaited music showcase,” they station stated.
The YAMAs are set to be more than just about music accolades, hype, fan-fare, fashion and lifestyle. Over the years, they have pulled all stops and played a meaningful role in the development of vibrant and commercially viable industry, in what has been coined ‘the event of the year.’ Over and beyond well-choreographed scenes and polished performances, there will be a twist. Internationally acclaimed artists will work behind the scenes in empowerment workshops for skills transfer with Botswana’s artists.
“Retro 5 is about reflection and rebirth. We realize that there is life beyond the stage. Before the last spotlight goes off or the prime days come to an end, artists have to identify and categorise opportunities at their disposal for further growth and personal development. Through the 2019 YAMAs we are rolling out a springboard for growth beyond our artists current exposure. It’s about expanding their current networks, commercialising them and being exposed to personal growth strategies, amongst other plans. By sharing ideas with artists in these strategic platforms and workshops, artists who have achieved this internationally, we begin to make a difference beyond the awards,” said Yarona FM Station Manager, Kelly Ramputswa.
She emphasised that over the years the YAMAs have contributed and supported local music entrepreneurship and the industry at large. “Running workshops for both regional, internationally-acclaimed and local artists to interact in the ideas exchange workshops will be help expose both local and international artists on the length, breadth and strength of diversity when designing personal brand architecture, increasing fan base and having a sustainable business for growth and exposure in the music industry.”
This year ATI walked away with three awards being; best single hip/hop motswako, best single male and Song of the Year while Bouncy won best single female and best R&B song award. There are 18 categories for the 2019 YAMAs. They vary from song of the year to people’s choice/artist of the year.
However, the 2019 awards have also courted controversy with the recent protest resignation of Robin Chivazve and Brando Keabilwe, former hosts of the Yarona FM’s popular breakfast show The Feel Good Foundation. It is alleged that the duo, who resigned after serving a fourteen day suspension, were not happy with the alleged fees paid to Bonang Matheba as well as the alleged sidelining of local talent for the coveted hosting gig.