National Daily

Thrills and embarrassment at SMVA

By AHAOMA KANU

AFTER weeks of intense publicity, anticipation, and excitement, the maiden edition of the Sound city Music Video Awards finally took place at the MUSON Center last week. But the great expectations from many started with a rather embarrassing approach from the entry point where over zealous security officials dressed in a Ninja manner embarrassed, abused and molested guests at the event.
So embarrassing was the situation that the likes of Tony Tetuila, Frank Okanigbo of K's Place and fast rising fashion designer, Tessy Oliseh younger sister of Nigeria's former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh got a dose of crude harassment from the Ninja security details who threatened to shoot people with stun guns.

Members of press that arrived early to cover the event were kept waiting and ordered by security to wait at a distance from the gate of the event for reasons not made obvious.
By 5pm the venue became a beehive of activity as guests mingled and stars walked on through the red carpet.
The event which was handled by ace compere Freeze, and music sensations D'Banj, and Ashionye, kicked off around 9:00pm with the Xplicit' dancers who got the audience excited with their dance routine of 9ice's Gongo Aso. Also holding the audience spell bound was celebrated dancer Kaffy and her group who did a five minute magical dance piece. Comedian, Jedi, got the audience cracking with his jokes, and so did his counterpart 'AY'. Also in attendance to entertain the audience were various artistes including Naeto C, Sasha, P square, Ikechukwu, Infinity, the Mo'hits Crew, and for the first time since their split up years ago, the 'Remedies'.

International acts who dazzled the crowd with their performances are Ghanaian artiste Tic tac, South Africa's Freshlyground, and American rapper 'Nas'.
Nigerian born rapper Nas, also got an award for Hip Hop Legend honours after which he performed hit songs. He was very excited and decided to render other hits while the crowed charged to his beats.

The biggest winning went to TY Bello (Greenland) for Best R & B Pop Video and Viewers Choice, P Square for Best Video (Do Me) and Best Cinematography (Do Me), Infinity for Best Duo or Group Video (Olori Oko), Best Direction (Olori Oko for Yomi Amao) and Best Special Effects & Editing (Aye Ole by Gbenga Salu).

Others who walked away with awards' that night were Jimmy Jatt's Stylee for Best Male Video, Kween's Jebele for Best Female Video, Faze's Kpo Kpo do Kpo for Best Choreography, Asa's Fire on the Mountain as Best New Artiste. Nigerias sensational Mo'Hits crew got an award for the Fresh Video Category (Booty Call), while South African band Freshlyground, got an award for the African Video of the Year Category.