Eddy Kenzo wins Zanzibar award ahead of London, New York ceremonies

Kenzo becomes the first musician to win the Best East African Music Video Award after its introduction in April this year. The award recognises not only the musicians but also the directors and producers responsible for the creation of a video. The ‘Jubilation’ video, which previously won the Trace Mziki East African Music Video Award, was produced by Uganda’s Sasha Vybz.

“Congratulations to me and my fans. 'Jubilation' has won Best East African video in Zanzibar. So according to Zanlink and Trace Mziki the current best video in East Africa is from Uganda, the pearl of Africa,” Kenzo wrote on his Facebook page.

Other nominees from the region were Tanzanians Ray Vanny for ‘Natafuta’, Jux for ‘Umenikamata’ and Darassa for ‘Muziki’. Kenya was represented by Everlast (‘Gudi Gudi’), Avril (‘Uko’), Nai Boy (‘Problem’) and Nyashinski (‘Now You Know’). From Uganda, Kenzo was up against Sheebah with ‘Nkwatako’ and Apass with ‘Gamululu’.

Kenzo has also been nominated in the Artiste of the Year category at the Ghana Music Awards UK, which are slated for 9 September in London, and for the Nigeria Entertainment Awards, which will take place six days earlier in New York City on 3 September.