The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
STAR FM has called on the corporate sector to partner the radio station in its annual Star FM Listeners’ Choice Music Awards as a way of honouring the efforts of the country’s musicians.
The awards ceremony will be held virtually on March 13 under the theme: #RespectTheHustle.
Zimpapers Radio Division general manager Mr Comfort Mbofana said music was an industry that involves hard work.
“Through these awards, we want to do away with the notion that music is a hobby, that musicians are not serious and do not amount to much,” said Mr Mbofana.
“Music is a business and many musicians draw incomes and livelihoods from their music.
“We want to be able to celebrate our musicians for their talent and hard work while they are still here, hence all businesses that support music are welcome to join us.”
The awards, which are in their third year, will be held in line with Covid-19 regulations.
Voting for the Star FM Listeners Choice Music Awards opened on Friday, with listeners being asked to vote for their favourite musicians via WhatsApp and SMS to the number: 0780 581 583.
There are 16 categories in the awards, with all eyes set on who will scoop the Song of the Year Award, the Best Female and Male Artist of the Year.
Mr Mbofana said music has kept communities entertained, encouraged and inspired during Covid-19.
“Our musicians have proved that music is more than a source of livelihood but a powerful vehicle of communication and entertainment.
“It is therefore critical for us to respect that hence our hashtag #RespectTheHustle.
“For a long time, society has dismissed music and musicians and yet we have seen the emergence of big names and businesses in music in recent years.
“Even corporates have been requesting and enlisting the services of musicians in their projects, showing that they too are seeing the value in music.
“I am therefore calling on the business community to take their support to the next level by joining us in recognising the accomplishments of our Zimbabwean musicians especially in this lockdown period,” he said.
This year’s ceremony will be livestreamed on the Star FM and ZTN Facebook pages and will feature performances by artists.
The inaugural Star FM Music Awards were held in 2019.
