# Nyasa Music Awards

Nyasa Music Awards are Malawian music awards that were established in early 2017 to celebrate entertainers and other minorities in music, fashion and philanthropy. The annual presentation event that takes place in major cities of the country features performances by artists and they are one of the major Malawi's music industry awards. The event recognizes Malawian music from all genres, including traditional, soul, and gospel. The awards also promote culture, with the 2017 event host of an African Print party that encourages people to showcase their traditional outfits. The awards include media sister awards and its categories are split into male and female.

## List of ceremonies

The 2018 inaugural ceremony was held at Comesa Hall in Blantyre. The 2019 NMA took place on December 14 at Crossroads Hotel in Blantyre, Malawi. The ceremony included fashion and media categories. Ben Wandawanda won the Fashion Icon award, and Jai Banda won the Lifetime Achievement Award.

## Current award categories
### Music

* Song of the Year
* Best Hip Hop Act
* Best Dancehall Act
* Album of the Year
* Artist of the Year (Female)
* Artist of the Year (Male)
* Music Video of the Year
* Best Gospel Artist
* Best New Artist (Female)
* Best New Artist (Male)
* Producer of the Year
* Best Duo/Group
* Lifetime Achievement

### Media

* Best TV personality
* Media Legend
* Best Radio DJ/Personality
* Best Entertainment writer

### Fashion

* Model of the Year
* Living Legend
* Fashion Icon
* Most Fashionable Celebrity
* Designer of the Year

## Host Cities

| Year | Country | Host city | Venue | Host(s) |
| 2017 | Malawi | Blantyre | Golf Club | Joy Nathu |
| 2018 | Malawi | Comesa Hall, Blantyre | Golf Club | Chifundo Maganga |
| 2019 | Malawi | Lilongwe | BICC | |

## Recipients

List of selected recipients and years:
| Category | Nominee / work (and year) | Result |
| Song of the Year | Faith Mussa (2017) Janta – Wangongole (2018) | Won |
| Best Hip Hop Artist | Fredokiss (2018) | Won |
| Best Gospel Artist | Faith Mussa (2018) | Won |
| Best R&B Artist of the year | Kell Kay (2018) Kell Kay (2017) | Won |
| Best Reggae Artist | Black Missionaries (2018) | Won |
| Best Secular Artist | Nepman (2018) | Won |
| Best Acoustic Artist | Faith Mussa (2018) | Won |
| Best Producer | AK on the board (2018) | Won |
| Best Male Artist | Tay Grin (2018) | Won |
| Best Female Artist | Zani Challe (2018) | Won |
| Best Afro pop Artist | Stitch Fray (2018) | Won |
| Best Group | Zathu Band (2018) | Won |
| Best Female Broadcaster | Jean Chalungama (2018) | Won |
| Best Live Act | Faith Mussa (2018) | Won |
| Best Video Director | Sukez (2018) | Won |
| Album of the Year | Lawi – Sunset in the Sky (2018) | Won |
| Best New Comer | Episodes (2018) | Won |
| Best Dancehall artist of the year | Malinga Mafia (2018) | Won |
| Best collaboration of the year | Tsidya lina – Hyphen ft Malinga Mafia (2018) | Won |
| Best Live Act | Faith Mussa (2017) | Won |

## Controversies

On 29 March 2018, the Nyasa Music Awards faced public criticism when it selected the South African television personality Somizi Somgaga Mhlongo to host the year’s awards. Homophobic Malawians slammed the awards choice as the host is known to be openly gay.