Gospel star Betusile Mcinga says his hit song Ngena Noah, which bagged the Metro FM Music Awards Song of the Year gong was played in clubs, taverns, churches and traditional ceremonies.
Mcinga said this, in his view, was what defined a Song of the Year.
The traditional gospel song, which trended on social media long before it was officially released, broke boundaries.
In December, it won Umhlobo Wenene FM Song of the Year. It ushered the UWfm listeners into the new year. In the Metro FM Music Awards, it competed with other genres like Amapiano, Gqom, House and Hip-hop.
By bagging this award, Ngena Noah beat Sete by KO featuring Young Stuna, Lemons by AKA, Kancane by Konke & Musa Keys, Fatela by Ami Faku and Aymos, Ngeke by Big Nuz, Khusela by Kabza De Small, Healer Ntliziyo Yam by Gaba Cannal and Isoka by Sjava.
Mcinga, who was still on cloud nine, told Sowetan that it still felt like a dream.
“It feels like someone will wake me up from this dream. I want to thank God for this award. This is the biggest award of the night. Honestly, I am winning a big award with this song for the second time. It is not my own doing but God’s doing. I still cannot believe that it happened.
“Again this song was competing with other genres. I think it deserves to win the song of the year because it was sung by both young and old. It trended on social media for months. But most importantly, it was played in clubs, taverns, churches and traditional ceremonies. In my own view, this for me defines a song of the year. Winning against other genres shows that what we are doing is a calling.”
Ngena Noah is an old traditional song sung in churches and community gatherings but Mcinga breathed new life into it by reworking it and introducing a new verse.
Mcinga released the song officially in September and he credits all the success of the song to the talent he worked with, like Mxolisi Mhlongo, and backing vocalists Buhle Nhlangulele, Futhi Mhlongo and Muzie B.
Mcinga is the son of award-winning gospel singer Lusanda Mcinga. He comes from Willowvale in the Eastern Cape. He has released six albums and two live DVDs. His first album, Mandibe Ngowakho, was released in 2009.
The second one, Inceba zika Jesu, was released in 2010. In 2013, he came back with Kuphelele, which had a hit song Uzundithwale, which won him Best Gospel Song award at SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards.
Another Eastern Cape artist, Zuko SA, made the province proud by winning Best Afro-soul Pop Award. Born Zuko Kopiso, Zuko SA won his first award.
“I am grateful to have a great team and support. I just want to thank my fans for voting for me. Now that I have won an award, people expect more. I need to work extra hard to give my fans the best music.”
Guests rolled up on the black carpet looking amazing in their black outfits – as per theme.
But it was latecomers like Rami Chuene and Brenda Mtambo who stole the limelight.
The show was opened by DJ Tira and Big Nuz, accompanied by Babes Wodumo, who looked emotional after performing.
Boohle and her team took two awards – Best Amapiano and Best Viral Challenge for their song Hamba Wena.
Nduduzo Makhathini took the Best Jazz Album.
ZukoSA won his first award – Best Afropop Album – in the music industry.
Best New Artist was taken by Coco SA.
Pastor Lungi Ndala, who has been collecting Crown Gospel Awards as if they are going out of fashion, won the coveted Best Gospel Award.
Makhadzi made a grand entrance when she accepted her first Metro Music Award in the Best Female Artist Category.
Makhadzi said she arrived late because she decided to attend after her trip to Namibia was cancelled at the eleventh hour.
Speaking to journalists, she said: “When the trip was cancelled, I said there are awards happening and I am going there. My manager organised me a dress and they drove me here.
“Before we could even get out of the car, I heard my name being called and I ran, not even wearing shoes. When I made a decision to come to the awards I had a belief that this one is mine and it belongs to me. I believe in myself because I work hard. I am honoured.”
DJ Tira took home two awards for his song Sikilidi. He won Best Kwaito/Gqom Song and Best Music Video.
“I am happy and honoured that I won two awards. As much as I have been in the industry, this means a lot. It just shows that dedication never stops,” said DJ Tira who was dressed by House of Ole.
bambalelep@sowetan.co.za
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