{{short description|Annual music industry award ceremony}} {{Infobox award | name = Maso Awards | current_awards = Maso Awards 2023 | image = | imagesize = | caption = | awarded_for = Outstanding achievements in the entertainment industry | presenter = Malawi music industry coalition | host = variety | country = Malawi | most_awards = Faith Mussa | year = {{start date and age|2019|01|10}} | year2 = 2023 | website = {{URL|https://maso-awards.live/}} }}
'''Maso Awards''' are Malawian music award show that was established in early 2019 to celebrate entertainers and other minorities in music, film, philanthropy and fashion. Maso awards are a brainchild of MASO Enterprise which is a company founded by Augustine Mukisi, Beaton Ndawa, Fedson Mwadala and Mphatso Tembo and handles event management and branding, graphics and social media management, web design...<ref>https://www.capitalradiomalawi.com/2022/10/12/maso-awards-announces-nominees-for-2022/</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-10-31 |title=Maso Awards to honour Paul Banda, Pemphero Mphande |work=Nation Online |url=https://mwnation.com/maso-awards-to-honour-paul-banda-pemphero-mphande/,%20https://mwnation.com/maso-awards-to-honour-paul-banda-pemphero-mphande/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |language=en-US}}</ref> The event takes place in Malawian major cities and it is featured by performances from artists. They are one of the major Malawi's local music industry awards. The awards recognizes Malawian music from all genres, including gospel. The awards also promote culture and encourages people to showcase their talents. The awards categories are split into male and female.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mughogho |first=Lyonike |date=2022-11-30 |title=Tay Grin claims he won Maso Award without campaign |url=https://malawi24.com/2022/11/30/tay-grin-claims-he-won-maso-award-without-campaign/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Kalumbi |first=Mike |date=2023-10-27 |title=Over 135 artists get Maso Awards nominations |url=https://malawi24.com/2023/10/27/over-135-artists-get-maso-awards-nominations/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
== History == The Maso Awards started in the early 2019 by the Maso Enterprises aiming at promoting of local music talents within the country. The CEO of the awards is Augustine Mukisi.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mughogho |first=Lyonike |date=2022-11-27 |title=Giants lose big in Maso Awards: 2012 movie is 2022 Film of the Year |url=https://malawi24.com/2022/11/27/giants-lose-big-in-maso-awards-2012-movie-is-2022-film-of-the-year/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Banda |first=Sam |date=2023-09-06 |title=Maso Awards fifth edition goes to Lilongwe |url=https://times.mw/maso-awards-fifth-edition-goes-to-lilongwe/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=The Times Group |language=en-US}}</ref> The winners receive a gold-plated statuette.
=== Artist of the Year === The ''Artist of the Year'' award is the highest and most prestigious of the awards given at the event given to the artist(s) following votes by the general public as having the highest audience appeal, online streaming, popularity and radio play. To be chosen as the artist of the year, the artist must have a released hit single/album during the year under review to be eligible.<ref name=":6" />
==List of ceremonies==
=== 2019 === The 2019 inaugural ceremony took place in Blantyre.<ref name=":0" />
=== 2021 === The 2021 physical events took place in Lilongwe on 17 December 2021 after two years of holding the events online.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 MASO AWARDS LIST OF WINNERS |url=https://malawisounds.com/read.php?id=24 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=malawisounds.com |language=en}}</ref> The Maso Awards had over 13 categories. The Male Best upcoming of the year awards were given Driemo while the female was Niekay. The Best album award went to Phyzix for his album titled "Flaws". The Lifetime achievement were given to Lucius Banda, among other winners and categories.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=2021 MASO AWARDS LIST OF WINNERS |url=https://malawisounds.com/read.php?id=24 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Malawi Sounds|language=en}}</ref>
=== 2022 === The 2022 Awards were expanded and had 16 more categories with at least 10 non-musical.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mughogho |first=Lyonike |date=2022-10-18 |title=Nigerian artist blasts Malawi's Maso Awards |url=https://malawi24.com/2022/10/18/nigerian-artist-blasts-malawis-maso-awards/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Itai |first=Brian |date=2022-10-12 |title=Maso Awards expand scope }work=Nation Online |url=https://mwnation.com/maso-awards-expand-scope/,%20https://mwnation.com/maso-awards-expand-scope/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |language=en-US}}</ref> The awards took place in Blantyre at Amaryllis Hotel on 26 November.<ref name=":4"/><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2022-10-12 |title=MASO Awards unveils nominees for 2022 awards |url=https://www.malawivoice.com/2022/10/12/maso-awards-unveils-nominees-for-2022-awards/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Malawi Voice |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3" />
=== 2023 === The 2023 ceremony took place at Bingu International Conference in Lilongwe where more than 135 artists were nominated in 35 categories for the awards.<ref name=":1" /> Out of the total of 35 categories, 32 were permanent where as three were temporary with their addition to reflect the theme of the awards. Among the winners were Sir Paul Banda who took home the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Maso Humanitarian Award for the social media influencer were given to Pemphero Mphande.<ref name=":2">https://www.maravipost.com/maso-awards-set-for-november-25/</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-23 |title=Ntha Foundation Sponsors the 2023 Maso Awards |url=https://nthafoundation.org/2023-maso-awards/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Ntha Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Among notable artists that won were Zeze Kingstone among others.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mhone |first=Macmillan |title=Maso Awards press conference |url=https://malawi24.com/2023/10/27/over-135-artists-get-maso-awards-nominations/maso-awards-press-conference/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>https://malawi24.com/2023/11/26/zeze-kingston-wins-male-artist-of-the-year-at-maso-awards/</ref>
==Current award categories==
=== Music === *Best New Female Artist * Best New Male Artist * Song of the Year * Best Hip Hop Act * Video of the Year * Best Gospel Artist * Producer of the Year * Best Dancehall Act * Album of the Year * Female of the Year * Male of the Year * Best Duo/Group * Lifetime Achievement
=== Media === *Best Radio DJ/Personality * Best Entertainment writer * Best TV personality * Media Legend
=== Fashion === *Most Fashionable Celebrity * Designer of the Year * Model of the Year * Living Legend * Fashion Icon
==Host Cities== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Country ! Host city ! Venue ! Host(s) |- |Nyasa Music Awards 2019|2019 |Malawi |Blantyre |Golf Club |Joy Nathu |- |Nyasa Music Awards 2021|2021 |Malawi |Comesa Hall, Blantyre |Golf Club |Chifundo Maganga |- |Nyasa Music Awards 2022|2022 |Malawi |Lilongwe |BICC |- |Nyasa Music Awards 2023|2023 |Malawi |Lilongwe |BICC | |}
== Recipients == List of selected recipients and years:<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> {| class="wikitable" |- ! Category ! '''Nominee / work (and year)''' !'''Result''' ! Reference |- |Song of the Year |Anana by Piksy (2022) |{{won}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |work=247Malawi |date=2022-11-27 |title=Driemo, Suffix Win Big at the Maso Awards -Full Winners List |url=https://www.247malawi.com/driemo-suffix-win-big-at-the-maso-awards-full-winners-list/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Best Collabo of the Year |Legends by Phyzix and Various Artists (2022) |{{won}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |Dj of the Year |Joy Nathu (2022) |{{won}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |Fashion Designer of the Year |Roy View (2022) |{{won}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |Music Video of the Year |Mojo by Driemo (2022) |{{won}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |Best Comedian |Che Mandota (2022) |{{won}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |Producer of the Year |Tactic (2022) |{{won}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |Life Time Achievement Award |Giddess Chalamanda (2022) |{{won}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |Poet of the year |Raphael Sitima (2022) |{{won}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |Best Male Artist |Driemo (2022) |{{won}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |Best Female Artist |Tuno (musician) (2022) |{{won}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |Best feature film |The Last Fishing Boat (2022) |{{won}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |Best Gospel Act |Suffix (2022) |{{won}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |Best Actress | Flora Suya (2022) |{{won}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |Media Personality of the Year |Priscilla Kayira (2022) |{{won}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |Best group/duo of the Year |Ace Jizzy and Beejay (2022) |{{won}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |Album of the Year |Red Flag by Eli Njuchi (2022) |{{won}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |Best sound engineer of the Year |John Nthakomwa (2022) |{{won}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |Best male upcoming artist | Zonke (2022) |{{won}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |Best female upcoming artist |Kellie Divine (2022) |{{won}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |Best Live Act |Tay Grin (2022) |{{won}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |Gospel Song of the Year |Mwandikondera by Suffix (2022) |{{won}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> |}
==See also==
* Nyasa Music Awards * List of Malawian awards *Music of Malawi
==References== {{Reflist}} {{Malawian awards}} {{Musicawards}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nyasa Music Awards}} Category:African music awards Category:Awards established in 2019 Category:Lifetime achievement awards Category:2019 establishments in Malawi Category:Annual events in Malawi Category:Malawian music awards