NEA Awards Recap

Story by Ifunaya @sixfootamazon

September 4, 2016- New York City was home to all things entertainment for the Nigerian Industry. The 11th annual NEA Awards was hosted by Nigerian actor and icon, RMD and cohost Ebbe Bassey.

The duo opened the show with crowds laughing at some of the recent trending celebrity news like Alicia Keys’ “No makeup” movement to RMD’s jokingly commenting that actors envy musicians.

Celebrities in attendance for the awards included Ninola, Osas Ighodaro Ajibade, Lil Kesh, Adekunle Gold, Ebube Nwagbo, CDQ, Treasure and Tracy Daniels and Ketchup.

The awards show went on without a hitch; guest filled the red carpet looking to get a glimpse of their favorite celebrities.

Best Music Director went to Unlimited L.A and Music Producer of the Year, Master Kraft, both were not there to receive the awards.

The big winners of the night were Kiss Daniel for AfroPop Artist of the Year and Hottest Single of the Year: Mama. Olamide, who won awards for Best Rap Act and Best Album of the Year; were picked up on his behalf by Ketchup and former YBNL label mate, Lil Kesh. Adekunle Gold with his win for Best Song: Pick Up and Best New Act to Watch.

Ghanaian singer, Efya wowed the stage in a beautiful orange slit dress and head wrap. Performing with a live band, Efya sang her rendition of Duncan Mighty’s Obianuju and hits like SkinTight and One of your Own.

The show was electrifying, with highlighting performances from Ketchup, Ayo Jay, CDQ, and Tosin Martins but disappointment came with the last performance of the night.

The crowd were on their toes for the man of the night, Adekunle Gold. The YBNL artist came out singing his popular hit “Orente” when it was time to continue to the next song, problems ensued when the DJ was unable to play the next track, the Best New Act to Watch winner went on singing a cappella to single “Ready” trying to keep the crowd from noticing the technical difficulties, until he realized the music wouldn’t come back on for the remainder of his performance; and walked off the stage.

The NEA Awards overall had it’s good and bad moments. It’s unfortunate, the most anticipated performance of the night fell at the hands of some wiring issues and time.

Below are the categories and winners of the 11th Annual NEA Awards.

WINNERS

TRAILBLAZER AWARD RECIPEINT: Lioness Oyinbo
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN FILM: Osas Ajibade
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Sambasa Nzeribe
Album of the Year: Eyan Mayweather (Olamide)
Hottest Single of the Year: Mama (Kiss Daniel)
Best Song: Pick Up (Adekunle Gold)
AfroPop Artist of the Year: Kiss Daniel
Rap Act of the Year: Olamide
Best RnB Artist of the Year: Seyi Shay
Dancehall Artist: Ketchup
Best Collabo of the Year: My Woman, My Everything – Patoranking ft Wande Coal
Best Live Performance: 2Baba
Best Music Video of the Year (Director): Unlimited LA (Emergency, D’banj)
Best New Act to Watch: Adekunle Gold
Alternative Artist: Aramide
Indigenous Artist of the Year: Flavour
Diaspora Artist of the Year: Ayojay
Gospel Artist of the Year: Frank Edward
Most Promising Act to Watch: Mr. Eazi
Music Producer of the Year: Masterkraft
African Male Artist of the Year (Non Nigerian): Shatta Wale
African Female Artist of the Year (Non Nigerian): Efya

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