Local artists still basking in Cable Tunes Awards glory |09 January 2014
Local artists (artis lokal) who won awards in last year’s Cable Tunes Awards ceremony said they are simply overjoyed and very proud of themselves for the wins. They feel they have really put all in their songs and music and therefore deserve the appreciation, recognition and prizes. The Awards Show is sponsored in the main by Cable & Wireless in a bid to Siport Artis Lokal (Support Local Artists). Last year’s show was in its fourth year.
Today we bring you excerpts from the winning artists on how they feel, how the songs and music really came about which have led them to win awards. Unfortunately though, winner of the Best Selling Artist – Champion could not be reached as he is currently overseas.
Best Group – KJ and Extra
Kurt Gedeon a.k.a KJ and Herence Etienne a.k.a Extra won the Best Group category in the Awards Show and they are extremely happy as they have defended the same title won at the previous year’s show.
“It is the second time we have won the title as Best Group. And we believe it’s our music which is good and making us proud today,” says KJ. The two has been doing music together for the past six years though they have solo songs. KJ is from Glacis while Extra is from La Misère.
Best Collaboration – Regi and Extra with ‘Trespas’
“Depi ou’n met trespas/Mon leker wa dir in sanz plas/Mon lespri vid i annan en lespas/Ou sitan lwen laba dan distans lo sirfas.
« Eski en lot in fini pran mon plas/Eski i a pe donn ou sa lanmour efikas/Pa dir mwan ki ou’n refas tou/ Pa dir mwan ki ou’n ranplas tou…. »
This is part of the lyrics of the song ‘Trespas’ from Regi and Extra which made them win the Best Collaboration award during last month’s Cable Tunes Awards Show. This song can be described as a ‘national anthem’ as it is sung by almost everyone everyday especially young people. Listeners and fans really like it and to them both lyrics and tunes are really good and catchy which make one want to sing along whenever this song is heard or being played.
“We are also very happy and this song is a duo work between us. It is based on events that happen in everyday life; events between two persons and not necessarily on a real issue that has happened to me – it’s a combination of things,” says Paul Reginald a.k.a Regi. Regi lives at Plaisance though he is from La Misère whereas Herence Etienne a.k.a Extra is from La Misère.
Best Live Performer – T-Tray
Travis Delorie a.k.a T-Tray really has it going when performing on stage. He won Best Live Performer during last year’s Cable Tunes Awards Show and to fans and viewers he deserves the prize.
Travis, a 19-year-old young man from Roche Caïman, is very confident in himself when it comes to performing in front of an audience.
“I believe I performed better than others on stage. I can entertain a crowd, I can dance well and I can establish contact with the audience. So all these qualities made me win such a prize,” says an ever-smiling Travis. He is still on cloud nine about his win.
Best Single – Jakim ‘Donn ou bal’ and also Best Male Artist
‘Donn ou bal, Donn ou bal’ can also be considered as a ‘national anthem’, if we can put it that way, as it is also a song on the lips of almost everyone – young and old. People really relate to it and most of them believe it’s the lyrics that attract them a lot. This is the winning song for Best Single by Jakim whose real name is Carlos Dorasamy. Jahkim will be 32 years old this January 18 and he lives at St Louis. He says his song is based on life itself and its experiences and on things and issues that happen around you. Jakim also won Best Male artist in last year’s Cable Tunes Awards Show and like his other colleagues he is ecstatic about his win.
Best Female Artist – Telsy
Tracey Carolla a.k.a Telsy managed to surpass Sly, Vurna and Mj to win Best Female Artist in last December’s Cable Tunes Awards Show to win the Best Female Artist accolade.
From Cable & Wireless itself
Cable & Wireless was first approached with the idea to hold the first Cable Tunes Awards Show event by Elijah (Stephen Eliza). He pointed out to the telecommunications company that such an event had never been held at that point and that the telecommunications company could facilitate it as it has contact and working relations with most artists. This was revealed by Cable & Wireless product executive Albert Duncan, who also said that most artists who take part are thankful for the exposure and recognition they are getting.
Asked if he thinks this has caused direct competition between the artists, Albert said he doesn’t think so. “However I think they are pushing each other to be more creative and raise the ‘quality’ bar with each of their releases,” he said.
Apart from awarding the artists annually, Cable & Wireless offers another form of Cable Tunes service to Seychellois artists, where customers of the company can buy ringtones for their mobile phones. Referring to that service Mr Duncan said that artists can receive up to 50% of revenues generated by the sale of their tunes.
Cable & Wireless is also the main sponsor of prizes for the Awards Show but it also seeks help from its key partners like Air Seychelles, La Plage Restaurant and La Plaine St Andre to name a few.