On 17 November, The Geraas Music Awards (GMT) will once again shine the spotlight on the very best in Afrikaans music. After the huge success of the first GMT in 2001, entries are being invited across 25 categories that make up the body of this celebration of Afrikaans music. What’s interesting for us is that they’ve added a new category: Best Hip Hop/R&B album.

“Afrikaans music is thriving but not everyone is aware of it, which is why we created the awards”, says Erik De Jager, Executive Producer of Threshold Collective – the producers of Geraas (broadcast every Wednesday night at 6pm on SABC2). “There are young contemporary artists who are proud of their culture doing exciting new things and taking it forward. There are artists consistently selling thousands of CDs and packing out concert venues. Where there was a void was in the lack of recognition of this talent. GMT not only rewards Afrikaans musical achievements, but also make sure that people know what is going on”. 

In contrast with the trend in both national and international music award ceremonies, the GMT has decided to reduce the entry fee per category to R200 in the interest of giving independent artists a fair chance at competing with the bigger, more established artists. 

The categories judged this year include Best Adult Contemporary Album, Best Album of the Year (both previously won by Amanda Strydom for her album “Op ‘n Klein Blou Ghoen”), Best Jazz Album (previously won by Paul Hamner), Best Rock Album and Best Newcomer (both previously won by Karen Zoid). Other categories include Best Compilation, Choral, Classical, Gospel, Boeremusiek, Country and Pop Albums with the Best Pop Album previously won by Johannes Kerkorrel.

Five of the awards for 2003 are not open to entries – the Lifetime Achievement Award (previously won by Anton Goosen), Most Stylish SA Artist (a new category), Best Selling Afrikaans Album (won by Juanita Du Plessis), Best SA Music Event (won by the KKNK), and Best Live Performer (previously won by Theuns Jordaan). There are also two categories decided by public vote, namely; ‘Song of the Year’ and ‘Best Live Performance’. In these categories five finalists will be appointed, with the public deciding who walks away as the winner. 

The public will also have the option of nominating an artist of their choice for an award in these categories. To nominate an artist, members of the public can fax their nomination (and the category for which they are nominating the relevant artist) to (011) 880-5504, or email their choice to christelle@thresholdcollective.com

The Geraas Music Awards will take place on 17th November at a glittering ceremony at The Globe Theatre, Gold Reef City. Belboks – the interactive Afrikaans music show on SABC2 – will broadcast live from the event. The GMT will be broadcast on SABC2 on 19th and 26th November in the regular Geraas time-slot, with a GMT special on 18th December on SABC2. 

Entries close on Friday 19th September. Entry options include:
e-mail: maito:christelle@thresholdcollective.com to request an entry form collect and deliver an entry booklet from: 259 Jan Smuts (cnr Smits Drive, entrance in Smits), Dunkeld West, Johannesburg Post to: PO Box 2194, Rivonia, 2128 
Fax request addressed to: Christelle (011) 880 5504

Submitted by: admin