Metro FM Music Awards review: The chaos you didn’t see on TV!

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Congratulations are in order to all the Metro FM Awards winners.

But while most people would take their criticism and complaints to their private spaces, please allow me to play the devil’s advocate - not because I’ve elected myself as national spokesperson for award ceremony viewers, but because I am a concerned citizen who would love to see change.

READ: Hard work pays off as Aymos and Mthunzi win maiden awards at the Metros

Take this as a “somebody had to say it” kind of a review.

We went to Mbombela courtesy of Metro FM for its Music Awards, and besides our travelling schedule being a few hours late on Friday, everything was smooth, and not once were we not fed or in need of anything to drink or snack on. Kudos to the team for being considerate. The pre-party at Prestige was also amazing.

That gave me hope that we were in for a good ride. However, the first red flag should have been about the announcement party where they squeezed far too many people into a small venue.

However, the real nightmare started on Saturday. It was a logistical (production, sound, and everything you can think of) mess.

“This is the communication for now, but if anything changes, we will let you know,” is what was said during the press briefing when we were given the times the buses would be transporting people to and from Mbombela Stadium.

Then we were told on the spot without any prior communication that “the last bus has left, there won’t be another one”.

Making people panic and inconveniencing them because you're disorganised is not cool.

BLACK CARPET HORROR

Inviting us to a media briefing to make a million promises and end up delivering zero is not only disrespectful, but it was also a waste of time.

We were promised that there would not be random people on the black carpet and everything would run smoothly.

However, fans were on the carpet passing by and taking pictures with celebrities while we were trying to work. Too little space, no coordination or order, just one hot mess that left the media frustrated.

Speaking of coverage, I was amazed to find out that we would not be getting the embargoed winners’ list because someone was afraid that it would be leaked.

As professionals, we take ourselves and our jobs seriously we would not stoop that low.

We have received a lot of embargoed press releases before, we’ve signed non-disclosure agreements and never has any PR company had to put out a fire.

Imagine losing out on a Sunday newspaper coverage and having a moment because you don’t trust the people you’ve invited to cover your event.

“They don’t mind having online coverage only,” they said.

 Don’t get me started on trying to secure interviews amid the backstage chaos.

There was no publicist on site to ensure that all went well. We had to run after the winners and beg some to speak to us, to the point of being mistaken for fans who wanted pictures.

What’s up with interviewers who wanted to do viral TikTok challenges with winners while others needed to speak to them? Please shoot me!

I wish I could include emoticons here because I would like to insert ten laughing emojis.

Placing nominees far from the stage was another recipe for disaster. Random people who were not nominated were seated in front while winners had to do a long walk to freedom to accept their awards on stage. 

CELEB FASHION OR LACK THEREOF

I will not say much about the celebrities and their underwhelming black carpet looks - put in extra effort. You guys have been told a lot to refer to Nigerians for inspiration.

The level at which our celebrities constantly rock bare minimum looks needs to be studied at Harvard.

Zanele Potelwa, baby, you did a great job, you’re an amazing host, and I loved the effort in your looks, there was a major improvement. I just wasn't sure about the last one.

LOOTLOVE- THE MOMENT

A standing ovation for Luthando "LootLove" Shosha who co-hosted the awards ceremony with Tebogo “Proverb” Thekisho. She was everything and more – what an incredible talent.

Her links were smooth, and all six her looks and facebeat were fire. As social media users would say, “she ate”.

I hope you get a back massage because you carried the show.

I’m not taking anything away from Proverb, who was also hosting the Metros for the first time, but he is the master of live TV, and has hosted major shows. I am just giving LootLove a moment to shine.

One day we need to discuss how the culture of awards is dead in Mzansi. Some artists don’t submit for nomination consideration while some do not pitch at the ceremony.

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Now we look forward to Basadi in Music Awards, South African Music Awards (Samas) as well as Miss SA. Let’s hope their teams will do better.

Once again, congrats to the winners, particularly Kabza De Small and Mthunzi Ndimande, for scooping four awards.