Bebe bags six trophies at hipipo music awards
Bebe Cool (middle), his wife Zuena (L) and his associate, Champion Marvyn, pose with Bebe Cool’s trophies at Wonder World Auditorium on Saturday. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA.
The second annual HiPipo Awards that took place on Saturday at Wonder World Auditorium in Kansanga saw artistes whose fans took part in the voting process walking away with a couple of accolades. It wasn’t about who deserved to take an award, it wasn’t about the quality of music or even talent, it was about who has fans that bothered to vote through the online and SMS platforms.
The fans decided. Many could not understand this, leaving many music lovers who attended the event furious. Some even walked away half way through the event because “their” artistes had failed to win an award. Many well established artistes like Jose Chameleone, Radio and Weasal, Juliana and Bobi Wine among others skipped the event.
A little drama
The headliner was Bebe Cool. Besides winning six accolades, including Artiste of the Year, he caused a scene when he was asked by the organisers to present the accolade of the Best Female Ragga Dancehall artiste. He announced Rema (a former member of his Gagamel Crew) winner of this category with her hit song Fire Tonight. Surprisingly, Bebe Cool refused to hand over the award to Rema. He walked off the podium shamelessly clapping. Because of this, the crowd booed for over five minutes.
Dressed in a black and white checkered dress and hot pink high heels, Rema with her head held high walked on stage, gladly received her award from the organisers and in her acceptance speech said: “I want to thank you my fans for this, thank you so much. I wouldn’t have been here if it wasn’t for you. I want to thank Allah, let no one, I repeat, no one, ever put you down. You can make it. Don’t ever let anyone make you lose focus. You can be whatever you have ever wished to be.” She then knelt down and thanked her mentor (Bebe Cool, who had already taken his seat) for moulding her. She felt that was not enough. Rema walked down and shook his hands, attracting loud cheers from the crowd.
Besides the drama, these awards were really unpredictable in most categories, including best male gospel artiste which saw Richard Masembe beating the favourites Levixone and Pastor Wilson Bugembe. The awarding ceremony went on up to midnight with pulsating performances from Grace Nakimera and Santana. This event was sponsored by MTN and Pepsi.
Full list of winners at the awards
Artiste of the Year: Bebe Cool
Best Male Artiste: Bebe Cool
Best Female Artiste: Rema
Best Duo/Group: Radio and Weasel
Best Male Breakthrough Artiste: Khalifah Aganaga
Best Female Breakthrough Artiste: Irene Ntale
MTN Most Selling Song (most downloaded callertune): Kisumuluzo (Diana Nalubega)
Best HiPipo Charts Artiste: Sarah Musayimuto and MC Norman
Best Artiste on Social Media: Bebe Cool
Best On Stage Performer: Bebe Cool
Best Artiste in Diaspora: Pallaso
Best Young/Teen Artiste: Young Zee
Best DJ: DJ Shiru
Album of the Year: Obudde (Radio & Weasel)
Video of the Year: Kata (Navio)
Song of the Year: Badilisha (Jose Chameleone)
Best Concept Music Video: (Kata) Navio
Best Performance Music Video: (Ntandika) Grace Nakimera
Best Audio Producer: Nash Wander
Best Video Producer: Jah Live
Best Song Writer: Saxeess
Best Male Hip Hop Song: Leka Kwenyumiriza (Navio and Unique)
Best Female Hip Hop Song: Go Gal (Mc Clara)
Best Male Rn’B Song: Tonefulira (Sylver Kyagulanyi)Best Female Rn’B Song: Kukaliba (Rema)
Best Male Ragga/Dancehall Song: Kokodiosis (Bebe Cool)
Best Female ragga/Dancehall Song: Fire Tonight (Rema)
Best Male Reggae Song: Love Letter (Bebe Cool and Irene Ntale)
Best Female Reggae Song: (Yimuka) Allen Majara
Best Male Gospel Song: Mukama Mpa Okukumanya (Richard Masembe)
Best Female Gospel Song: Saba (Julie Mutesaasila)
Best Male Band Song: Wa Gyetugenda (David Lutalo)
Best Female Band Song: Onkubyeko Ekibaati (Benah Namisinga)
Best Male Kadongo KamuSong: Ebintu Bizibu (Hassan Ndugga -Revival Band)
Best Female Kadongo Kamu Song: Omwana Wani (Jackie Babirye and Umar Mwanje)
Best Male Zouk Song: Badilisha (Jose Chameleone)
Best Female Zouk Song: It’s OK (Titie Tabel)
Best Male Afro Mix Song: Love Me Love Me (Viboyo Oweyo)
Best Female Afro Mix Song: Hooray (Leila Kayondo and Jose Chameleone)
Best Male Afro Beat Song: Akalimu (Bobi Wine)
Best Female Afro beat Song: Eddiba (Juliana Kanyomozi)
Best Western Region Song: Kigambe (Lady Mariam)
Best Eastern Region Song: Akuloga (Fusion Band)
Best Northern Region Song: Mama (Bosmic Otim)
Best Southern Region Song: Mpatikana (SK Brian)
