Malawi: 2018 UMP Awards announce date, new categories

The awards ceremony, which was held in Blantyre last year, will be headlined by Gwamba, Fredokiss and Kelly Kay. The three will be joined by Ethel Kamwendo and Salama Dance Crew.

UMP, which consists of a music festival, awards ceremony (media and artistic) and fashion show, has also added two new categories to last year’s 18. These are Best AfroSoul Artist/Group and Humanitarian Award.

“Another thing to note is that we have decided to keep the UMP Festival distinctly apart from the music awards since their separation last year,” UMP Awards coordinator Mphatso Chibota said. “So the Festival will be happening in the first half of next year and will be more internationally focused.”

The UMP Awards nomination process will start next week.

Below is the full list of the 2018 UMP Awards categories:

• Artist of the Year
• Music Video of the Year
• Music Video Director of the Year
• Album of the Year
• Song of the Year
• Collaboration of the Year
• Best New Artist/Group
• Best Female Artist
• Producer of the Year
• Best Urban Gospel Artist/Group
• Best Hip Hop Artist/Group
• Best Dancehall Artist/Group
• Best R&B/Afropop Artist/Group
• Best Band
• Best Duo
• Best Live Act
• Best SADC International Act
• Lifetime Achievement
• Best AfroSoul Artist/Group
• Humanitarian Award