Banky W, others nominated for World Music Awards

Some Nigerian artists on Thursday expressed their appreciation for being nominated for the 2014 World Music Awards.

In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria Banky W, Iyanya and Waje exuded joy and pride at the development.

Winner of the inaugural MTN Project Fame West Africa, Iyanya, who was the most nominated with six told NAN that it was a great honour.

“I feel honoured and blessed that the works I have put out have been recognised all over the world.

“It’s always great for an artist to hear about a nomination or win an award no matter where it is taking place or the people he’s competing with,” he said.

Praiz, another Project Fame alumnus who was nominated in three categories expressed surprise at the development.

“I’m still surprised. I never expected the nominations but I’m really elated by them, it means I’m doing the right thing.”

Waje said she didn’t expect the nomination but that she felt honoured to be among the nominees.

“It shows that patience, hard work and faith in God really pays.

“The list is quite heavy though with lots of talented people and I am honoured and humbled that they nominated me, especially for the Album of the Year,’’ she said.

Also speaking to NAN, Banky W said: “It’s always an honour to be recognised in any category and I’m definitely grateful.

“However, there are like 500 artists nominated in each category; five, ten or twenty will be okay.

“But when it gets into the hundreds, you can’t dwell on it too much because there are just too many.

“However, I definitely appreciate being mentioned at all,” he said.

NAN reports that a total of 21 Nigerian artists were nominated in seven out of the nine categories of the awards.

The list of categories is World’s Best Song, World’s Best Album, World’s Best Video, World’s Best Female Artist and World’s Best Male Artist.

Others are World’s Best Group, World’s Best Live Act, World’s Best Electronic Dance Music Artist and World’s Best Entertainer.

The other Nigerian artists nominated are Femi Kuti, 2face, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, D’banj, P-Square, Sheyi Shay, Dr Sid, Don Jazzy, Phyno, Darey, Davido, Ice Prince, Kcee, Modenine, Olamide and Timaya.

According to the awards website, The World Music Awards is an international awards show founded in 1989 under the High Patronage of Albert II, Prince of Monaco and is based in Monte-Carlo.

The awards are presented to the World’s best-selling Artists in the various categories and to the best-selling artists from each major territory.

The winners are determined through online and SMS votes from all over the world.