It’s Snoop Lion weekend in SA

You’ll know by now that Snoop Lion is jetting into Durban in the next day or so. This is ahead of Saturday’s MTV Africa All Stars concert, which is taking place at the People’s Park, Moses Mabhida Stadium. I’m heading down on Saturday to hopefully catch Snoop on camera, as well as some of the other acts. Side note, I’m happy the Durbanites are getting a concert for once.. I know y’all often feel left out, so here’s to making you happy*

And with that, I can let those of you in Cape Town and in Jozi know that Snoop will be in your hood too. He’ll be out at the Ellis Park Arena on Sunday evening, followed by a concern at the Grand Area GrandWest on the 21^st. AKA and Jack Parow will be the support acts for ‘the Lion’.

Tickets Available at: www.computicket.com:

Johannesburg 19 May –Ellis Park Arena:

·         Golden Circle R650

·         Regular seated and standing R350

List of 2013 BET Award Nominees:

Full list of 2013 BET Award Nominations:

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist:
Beyoncé
Tamar Braxton
Alicia Keys
Rihanna
Elle Varner

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist:
Chris Brown
Bruno Mars
Miguel
Justin Timberlake
Usher

Best Group:
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Mary Mary
Mindless Behaviour
Slaughterhouse
The Throne (Kanye West & Jay-Z)

Best Collaboration:
2 Chainz f/ Drake – No Lie
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – Problems
French Montana f/ Rick Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne – Pop That
Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake – Poetic Justice
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – Suit & Tie
Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz – Mercy

Best Male Hip Hop Artist:
2 Chainz
A$AP Rocky
Drake
Future
Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip Hop Artist:
Azealia Banks
Eve
Nicki Minaj
Rasheeda
Rye Rye

Video of the Year:
2 Chainz f/ Drake – No Lie
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – Problems
Drake – Started From The Bottom
Drake f/ Lil Wayne – HYFR
Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake – Poetic Justice
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f/ Wanz – Thrift Shop
Miguel – Adorn
Rihanna – Diamonds
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – Suit & Tie
Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz – Mercy

Video Director of the Year:
A$AP Rocky & Sam Lecca
Benny Boom
Director X
Dre Films
Hype Williams

Best New Artist:
Azealia Banks
Joey Bada$$
Kendrick Lamar
Trinidad Jame$
The Weeknd

Best Gospel Artist:
Deitrick Haddon
Lecrae
Tamela Mann
Mary Mary
Marvin Sapp

Best Actress:
Angela Bassett
Halle Berry
Taraji P. Henson
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington

Best Actor:
Don Cheadle
Common
Jamie Foxx
Samuel L. Jackson
Denzel Washington

YoungStars Award:
Gabrielle Douglas
Jacob Latimore
Keke Palmer
Jaden Smith
Quvenzhané Wallis

Best Movie:
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap
Sparkle
Think Like A Man

Subway Sportswoman of the Year:
Gabrielle Douglas
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Venus Williams

Subway Sportsman of the Year:
Victor Cruz
Kevin Durant
Robert Griffin III
LeBron James
Ray Lewis

Coca-Cola Viewers Choice Award:
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – Problems
Drake – Started From The Bottom
Kendrick Lamar – Swimming Pools (Drank)
Miguel – Adorn
Rihanna – Diamonds
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – Suit & Tie

Centric Award:
Tamar Braxton – Love and War
Fantasia – Lose To Win
Miguel – Adorn
Nas – Daughters
Charlie Wilson – My Love Is All I Have

Best International Act, Africa:
2Face Idibia (Nigeria)
Toya Delazy (South Africa)
Donald (South Africa)
Ice Prince (Nigeria)
R2Bees (Ghana)
Radio and Weasel (Uganda)

Best International Act UK:
Marsha Ambrosius
Estelle
Labrinth
Rita Ora
Emeli Sandé
Wiley

MTN SAMA 19 pictures

This gallery contains 9 photos.

MTN SAMA 19 winners

• Album of the Year
Khuli Chana      Lost in Time

• MTN Record of the Year
Sfiso Ncwane      Kulungile Baba

• Duo or Group of the Year
Freshlyground      Take Me to the Dance

• Female Artist of the Year
Kelly Khumalo      The Past, The Present, The Future

• Male Artist of the Year
Khuli Chana      Lost in Time

• Newcomer of the Year
Toya Delazy      Due Drop Deluxe

• Best Rock Album
Zebra & Giraffe      The Wisest Ones

• Best Pop Album
Toya Delazy      Due Drop Deluxe

• Best Adult Contemporary Album
Elvis Blue      Journey

• Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album
Theuns Jordaan      Roeper

• Best African Adult Album
Maleh       Step Child

• Best Alternative Album
iScream & The Chocolate Stix    The Paradox

• Best R&B/Soul/Reggae Album
Khaya       For You

• Best Rap Album
Khuli Chana      Lost in Time

• Best Kwaito Album
Professor      The Orientation

• Best Dance Album
Black Coffee      Africa Rising

• Best Traditional Faith Music Album
Various       Siprit of Praise Vol.4

• Best Contemporary Faith Music Album
Ntokozo Mbambo     Filled

• Best Traditional Album
Soul Brothers      Isiphithiphithi

• Best Maskandi Album
Ichwane Lebhaca     Inkunzi Yomthakathi

• Best Jazz Album
Herbie Tsoaeli      African Time

• Best Classic & Instrumental Album
CH2 CH 2 Guitar Duo Live with the University of Pretoria Symphony   Orchestra

• Best Live DVD
The Captured Tour Concert Film    Lira
• Best Collaboration
Riot Feat. Zahara     Thetha Nami

• Best Music Video of the Year
Claudio Pavan  for Honey Spiders  (The Parlotones)

• Best Producer
Jax Panik  for Due Drop Deluxe   (Toya Delazy)

• Best Engineer
Mark Beling  for Strong   (BlackByrd)

• Remix of the Year
DJ Kent   for Thinking about You Ft. Zonke   DJ Kent Remix (Theo Kgosinkwe)

• Best Selling DVD
Vol. 16 Live at Carnival City    Joyous Celebration

• Best Selling Album
Roeper       Theuns Jordaan
• Best Selling Tru-Tone
Follow Me      DJ Cleo ft. Teddy Bears

• Best Selling Ring-Back-Tone
Loliwe       Zahara
• Best Selling Full-Track Download
You’re The Voice     Shout/J23 – Artists for a safer South Africa
• SAMPRA AWARD
Heavenly Sent       Mi Casa

MTN SAMA 19 – First list of winners for 2013

The 19th edition of the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) has arrived. The technical, non-broadcast or as host for the evening Tumi Morake said, the Tumi Show awards, were held in the Sun City resort on Friday evening. Some of the big nominees were in attendance, as were sponsors, media and other invited guests.

I was there tweeting, instagraming and filming (footage to follow soon). It was a lovely evening and this part of the awards weekend is always so enjoyable. It’s a nice way to ease into the festivities and it’s good to catch up with some of the nominees and winners. Here is a list of the winners from tonight:

• Lifetime Achievement Awards – Presented by Ray Phiri & Vusi Mahlasela
Johannes Kerkorrel (posthumously)
Sizwe Zako
Dr Thomas Chauke

• Best R&B/Soul/Reggae Album
Khaya – For You

• Best Alternative Album
iScream & The Chocolate Stix – The Paradox

• Best Classic & Instrumental Album
CH2 CH 2 Guitar Duo Live with the University of Pretoria Symphony – Orchestra

• Best Contemporary Faith Music Album
Ntokozo Mbambo – Filled

• Best Producer
Jax Panik for Due Drop Deluxe (Toya Delazy)

• Best Engineer
Mark Beling for Strong (BlackByrd)

• Best Music Video of the Year
Claudio Pavan for Honey Spiders – (The Parlotones)

• Remix of the Year
DJ Kent for Thinking about You Ft. Zonke DJ Kent Remix (Theo Kgosinkwe)

• Best Live DVD
The Captured Tour Concert Film – Lira

• Best Selling DVD
Vol. 16 Live at Carnival City – Joyous Celebration

• Best Selling Album
Roeper – Theuns Jordaan

• Best Selling Tru-Tone
Follow Me – DJ Cleo ft. Teddy Bears

• Best Selling Ring-Back-Tone
Loliwe – Zahara

• Best Selling Full-Track Download
You’re The Voice- Shout/J23 – Artists for a safer South Africa

• SAMPRA AWARD
Heavenly Sent – Mi Casa

Dr Malinga’s outfit deserves a mention (you decide whether it’s winning or not) but it had a lot of people talking… So I thought I should share the pic too.

Pics taken on my iPhone 5

Bieber, Bon Jovi and the SAMAs – A busy week in entertainment

What’s good friends? It’s Monday morning in my part of the world and it’s going to be a mad busy week. Why? Well here’s a little breakdown of what is crackening this week:

1. The 19th annual South African Music Awards (SAMAs) brought to you by MTN. It all goes down in Sun City this coming Friday and Saturday. Friday focuses on the technical, behind the scenes awards. Now this part of the weekend isn’t televised, but it’s fun and an important night too. I will be there and I’ll bring you some pics, news and highlights from that ceremony.

Saturday evening is the big show. Here’s a list of some of the performers expected to take to the stage:
Dr Thomas Chauke
Zozo
Sangre Superbeat
Toya Delazy
Kabomo
Zonke
ChianoSky
DJ Zinhle
Reason
Proverb
Desmond and the Tutus
The Muffinz
Lira
Vetkuk & Mahoota

Guest presenters include Menzi Ngubane, Sophie Ndaba, Zolisa Xaluva, Thami Mgqolo, Rapulana Seiphemo and Tsholo Monedi. Who will be the big host? The big winners? Find out on Saturday by checking out the live broadcast on SABC1 or follow my tweets (@JasonVonBerg) for details.

2. If the SAMAs aren’t your vibe then maybe Bon Jovi is. The legendary band will be rocking out at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday evening. Bummed to be missing it, but hey the SAMAs have called and I shall answer

3. Justin Bieber! Arguably the biggest name in entertainment at the moment kicks off his first South African tour this coming Wednesday in Cape Town. This will be massive and already Bieber fever has reached a level that nobody can control. If you’re going to be at the CT gig, let us know what it’s like. Oh and moms and dads, best you be getting your earplugs sorted ahead of the performance… we’d hate for you to be left hard of hearing afterwards. Sunday evening Jozi gets its chance to see the Biebs. I’ll be there, sadly sans the video camera because Bieber’s camp doesn’t allow for that, but I’ll be snapping some pics for the occasion.

4. Mother’s Day. Don’t forget to shower your mums this Sunday. A good breakfast, a lovely brunch, a delicious dinner… Some nice flowers, a few gifts and lots of love and you’re well on your way to being the kid ever!

Related articles

• Elvis Blue to open for Bon Jovi (jasonvonberg.wordpress.com)
• Van Coke Kartel to open for Metallica (jasonvonberg.wordpress.com)
• How good are the MTN SAMA goodie bags? (jasonvonberg.wordpress.com)
• The A-z of Mtn Sama 19 (jasonvonberg.wordpress.com)

THE A-Z OF MTN SAMA 19

With just over eight days to go, SAMA fever is setting in nicely. It’s going to be an epic weekend and I cannot wait for all the action, excitement, the glitz and the glamour. The SAMA peops have put together an A-Z list of things both you and I need to know ahead of this year’s event. Check this out:

A is for …Amstel VIP Afterparty – The exclusive post awards after party where guests get to rub shoulders with  all the winners and the who’s who of the music biz

BlackByrd, Desmond & The Tutus, DJ Vetkuk vs Mahoota, Freshlyground & The Muffinz – Contesting the tough Duo or Group of the Year category

ChianoSky – Second highest amount of nominations for this new young pop sensation taking the music industry by storm, with 5 nominations including Female Artist of the Year

Due Drop Deluxe – Highest nominated album debut album from Toya Delazy with 6 nominations

Elvis Blue, Arno Carstens, Khuli Chana, ProVerb & Reason – Strong field of very talented musicians nominated for the Male Artist of the Year award

Flickr – http://www.flickr.com/samusicawards – houses official MTN SAMA’s image content – you’ll be able to get all the Y’ello carpet, live show and behind the scenes photos

Goodie Bag – The magical yellow case that everyone wants to get their hands on. Each goodie bag is worth R18, 000 and contains items from Guess, Ray Ban, Koi, Soho Nail Bar, Honey Jewellery, just to name a few…collectively worth over R2,5 million

HHP, Black Motion, B.O.P, Donald, Kabomo, DJ Vetkuk vs. Mahoota, Lloyd Cele, Khaya, Elvis Blue, Liquideep, Mi Casa, Riot, Oskido, Sfiso Ncwane & Teargas – 15 strong field of male artists vying for the Record of the Year award…it doesn’t get tighter than this

Instagram – Handle: @MTNSAMA – get the latest and pictures of your favourite artists from the Y’ello carpet

Johannes Kerkorrel, Sizwe Zako & Dr Thomas Chauke – Legendary music stalwarts that will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards for the stellar work in the music industry over the years

Kelly Khumalo, Khuli Chana & Khaya and Kia – The former all received 3 nominations each, and the latter will be driving the stars to the Y’ello carpet

L is for live streaming – catch the awards and all the backstage behind the secnes action as it is streamed live on your mobile (www.mtnsamatv.mobi) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/samusicawards)

Mzansi 4 Sho – SABC 1 Will broadcast the awards ceremony live to millions of viewers on Saturday, May 11 at 8:30pm

Nomfusi, Maleh, Kelly Khumalo, Cama Gwini & Bongeziwe Mabandla – Ladies doing it for themselves in the Best African Adult Album category

Oskido, Black Coffee, DJ Pepsi, DJ Vetkuk vs. Mahoota & Pascal & Pearce – Industry heavyweights going head to head in one of the biggest awards of the night, the Best Dance Album Award

ProVerb, PRO, Reason, Khuli Chana & Last Days Fam – Going head to head for in the Best Rap Album category

Q – Question is – who will follow in Zahara’s 2012 footsteps and dominate the awards?  Now that’s something to celebrate

Record of the Year – Voting lines are open for the 20 acts in the running, voting is reaching fever pitch for the most popular award of the night

Sun City Superbowl – Venue for MTN SAMA 19 on Saturday 11 May.  Final show prodcution is being kept tightly under wraps with some hot, never-before-seen collaborations planned… Live Acts announcement coming soon

Tickets – Available from Computicket from R 330 – R400 (Golden Circle) per person including entrance to the public After Party in the Hall of Treasures – www.computicket.com

Umthwalo – Having dominated last year with 6 MTN SAMAs, this year Zahara returns with 3 nominations including Record of the Year for Umthwalo

V.Underground, Lloyd Cele, Riot & Shabalala Rhythm – Clinched nominations for Best Collaboration with a variety of artists for the smashing hits in 2012

Warwick Allan, Benza, Salomon Ligthelm, Jolyon Ellis & Claudio Pavan – Celebrated producers behind the most outstanding music videos the past year going head to head for the coveted Best Music Video of the Year award

XOXO – Expect lots of hugs and kisses on the red carpet as well as big hugs on stage for the winners

Y’ello Carpet – Signature MTN SAMA style VIP carpet; the fashion on the Y’ello carpet is just as important as the music at the annual MTN SAMA awards – see who’s wearing what on streamed live on your mobile (www.mtnsamatv.mobi) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/samusicawards

Zonke, Toya Delazy, ChianoSky, Zahara & DJ Zinhle – Ladies in the running for the coveted Record of the Year category

Rihanna heading to SA

It has been a couple of years since singer, Rihanna was last in South Africa. The last time the starlet was here she was a lot younger, she’d just broken onto the scene and people were loving her track, Umbrella with rapper Jay-Z. At that stage Rihanna was touring with Jigga, and performing as a support act to the megastar. Since that tour, the Diamonds singer has gone on to sell millions more albums, scored herself loads of number one singles and her recent album, Unapologetic hit the top of the charts in November.

She is, next to Gaga and Beyonce, one of the biggest names in the game and now ladies and gents you will get to see her headlining two shows in South Africa this October, can I get a whoop whoop! Super, super stoked for this one!!!!! The tour details are as follows:

13-Oct                         Johannesburg, South Africa                FNB Stadium

16-Oct                         Cape Town, South Africa        Cape Town Stadium

The Rihanna Diamonds World tour is brought to you by Big Concerts and Live Nation. Tickets for the Diamonds World Tour in South Africa will go on sale for Johannesburg on Thursday 11^th April at 9am priced R330 – R930 and in Cape Town on Friday 12^th April at 9am priced R275 – R820.

Shine bright like a diamond, Stay, Take a Bow, What’s My Name, SOS, Hate that I love you… and so many more. Bring it Rih Rih, I’m ready!

Review: Justin Timberlake’s The 20/20 Experience

In November last year I felt the need to pull out my Justin Timberlake cds.  Don’t ask me why, but it had been a while since I’d listened to them. The only one I could find was the FutureSex/LoveSounds album, which isn’t a bad thing. And so, once again I became acquainted with this album and it just reminded me of why I dig him as an artist. I managed to find his first solo album, Justified a couple of days later and it feels like just yesterday that it was released. It still fantastic, and I love it just as much as the time I bought it.

Why I suddenly felt the need to listen to these albums again, I have no idea. That was until January when a little teaser clip hit the net of the star sharing his thoughts on why it has been so long since his last release, but the words that echoed through many a Timberlake fan’s ears was “I’m ready”. Perfect timing JT because so were we.

The first single hit the airwaves shortly afterwards called Suit & Tie. It features arguably the biggest name in rap, Mr. Jay-Z.  Despite being met with a lot of mixed reactions, the single still made its way into the top ten on several charts around the globe. Look it’s not my ultimate JT song, but it’s a good first offering. Plus the brother has swag for days, just check out the video to see that. With that, the news of The 20/20 Experience, his third album, was announced.

And cue the promotion for the album. JT’s big return to the music scene included a highly anticipated performance at the Grammys, the Brit Awards, a little intimate and exclusive gig in LA and of course a number of interviews on the various American talk shows circuit. One of the bigger promotional gigs he was involved in was on the hit show, SNL. JT hosted the show the Saturday before the release and let me tell you the brother is one talented man. He’s extremely versatile, funny and an all-round entertainer. In fact, reviews of his hosting duties on SNL were so favourable that there are rumours about the Oscars organising committee bidding for him to host next year’s event. Nice.

Watch Mirrors now:

Anyway, back to the music. I got my hands on the deluxe version on Tuesday and like kids don’t read their birthday/ Christmas cards, I didn’t read anything. All I wanted was the music. And so began another long and happy listening session courtesy of one of my favourite artists. The album’s first song is Pusher Love. It eases you into the album perfectly.

Credit Tom Munro, RCA Records

The long and successful Timberlake/ Timbaland relationship continues into this album and that solid fusion of musical geniuses is notable on songs like Don’t Hold the Wall (Potential single) and Tunnel Vision.

Besides Mirrors, Blue Ocean Floor, Let the groove get in and Don’t Hold the Wall, my favourite track is Strawberry Bubblegum. It’s just one of those incredible songs. Not only does it show off his impeccable vocal ability, but the musicality in this song is commendable too. Just when you think the song is done, the star switches up in a way you wouldn’t really expect. The timing is spot on, the effect is even better and I absolutely love the keyboards.

In short, Timberlake slows it down on this one. Barring Suit & Tie and Let the groove get in, there aren’t many up-tempo dance floor numbers, but you wont be disappointed with the soulful alternatives. Mirrors baby, Mirrors. This isn’t my absolute favourite from Timberlake, but that could change over the next couple of weeks. I do love the new material nonetheless and clearly I’m not the only one. The star was expected to shift around 750 000 copies in its opening week, but that expectation was shot out of the water. The number Billboard is going with at the moment is 968 000 copies, which makes this the biggest opening sales week of 2013. Nice one JT. Now if he could just open up the tickets for his tour… I’m going. The END!

Grab yourself a copy of Justin Timberlake’s The 20/20 Experience from iTunes or any good leading music store now.

[Video] SAMA nominee, ChianoSky on her nominations

See what she had to say about her nominations.