Is Winky D right, is Star FM wrong? Feelings aside what’s the real issue?

“We approached all artists including Winky D (through his management) who we deemed eligible for this year’s award process and asked them to submit their entries. We even facilitated resources at the station to assist the submission processes. We had a good number of artists enter the awards and we had some who for reasons best known to themselves would not enter,” these are the words alleged to have been said by Star FM’s boss, Comfort Mbofana in a statement making rounds on social media. (The statement as of Sunday evening was not on any of Star FM’s social media platforms or website).

This statement comes after many questioned why one of the biggest songs in 2019, ‘Mu Garden’ by Winky D featuring Gemma failed to land a single nomination after the station released the names of nominees for the second edition of the Star FM Music Awards last week.

Mbofana answers the question which was being asked by many over the weekend in this statement. Winky D did not submit so his not on the list. Mbofana makes it clear that the awards are on a submission basis. So technically, Star FM is correct. No submission no nomination.

If Winky D’s management was approached and did not play ball what was Star FM to do? Break the rules? Never! They did well.

In an article written by The Sunday Mail on February 2, 2019, focusing on the controversy that came after the ZIMA and Grammy awards, renowned writer, Tinashe Kusema says something that is interesting regards snubbing of the ZIMA’s by big acts.

“Apart from that, the primary objective of any awards show is to reward and acknowledge top achievers, and I doubt if there is any rule that says organisers must pander to celebrities and top stars’ whims. In fact, these are some of the places where stars and future A-listers are born,” writes Kusema.

So let’s get things straight here, the Star FM Music Awards will be held with or without Winky D in attendance.

He did not attend the 2019 edition and 2020 will be no different.

But what if other artists join Winky D and don’t show up for the awards, will the zing be taken out of the awards as was the case with ZIMA’s – where some random people kept popping on stage to receive awards on behalf of artists?

This is a very debatable issue. One which will definitely split opinions amongst music lovers in Zimbabwe.

Are big acts being bullies who want to force their way or should Star FM consider changing its systems as is the case with the ZIMA’s?

There is nothing special that Star FM has done here, our neighbours in South Africa used to have the Metro FM awards. These were based on submissions and all was well.
Grammy awards are on a submission basis too. So what is the problem when the same process is followed by locals?

Moving on, maybe one way to deal with this crisis is for Star FM to consider the Billboard Music Awards process.

The Billboard Music Awards finalists are based on album and digital songs sales, streaming, radio airplay, touring, and social engagement. These measurements are tracked year-round by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound.

However, in the midst of all this, artists like Winky D do not need to win at ZIMA or Star FM or even NAMA. They have been there and done that.

The issue is that the awards do not necessarily translate to business as is the case outside Zimbabwe.

The truth of the matter is that Ishan (whom we have loads of respect for) will still have lesser gigs compared to Winky D in 2020. Even though the former might win at the Star FM Music Awards this also does not mean he will get more endorsements from captains of industry.

It is because of this that we believe big artists no longer value local awards. They don’t mean much at the end of the day on the business side of things.