NAMA 2019 officially launched, new category created

WINDHOEK, MARCH 27 – The Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) 2019 were today officially launched compliments of MTC, NBC and other partners.
Coined “Namibia’s biggest night in music,” the show is back on the road in what organisers have said “will undoubtedly be another stellar world class production hosting the best of the best in Namibian music entertainment all coming together for one spectacular night of music and recognition of Namibia’s musical stars.”

NAMA 2019 will officially begin accepting entries on Monday, 1st April 2019 (next week) and welcomes all Namibian artists with music, either singles or albums, commercially released (made available for sale in any recognized retail trade) in Namibia between the dates of 1st December 2017 and 30th November 2018, to submit their applications by completing the manual printed forms or via the secure online electronic entry system.

The application period will run until Friday, 26th April 2019.

New Category

This year’s NAMAs will have a total of 25 categories; one more than last year with a new category incorporated namely ‘Artist of the Year.’

The categories are: Afrikaans, Damara Punch, Oviritje, Soukous/Kwasa, Afro Pop, Gospel, Kwaito, R&B, Rap/Hip Hop, House, Reggae, Traditional, Collaboration, Single, Newcomer, Music video, Song of the Year, Pan African Artist, Best Album, Best Group, Producer, Lifetime achiever and the newly added category Artist of the Year.

The new category ‘Artist of the Year’ will now see the best talent in Namibia, whether being
male or female, compete in this category on an equal platform for the accolade of the overall
Best Artist of the Year in Namibia overall. The winner of ‘Artist of the Year’ will be decided by the highest score recorded from the judges’ vote awarded to the winners of the Best Male and Best Female categories.

An amendment has also been made to the ‘Best Producer’ category. Moving forward the ‘Best Producer’ nominees will be decided by the top 5 overall best scores received from the judges vote for musical entries nominates within the Best Male, Best Female and Group/Duo of the Year categories.

Entries for the Best Music Video category will now only allow one entry per artist, and only
music videos produced from a master recording (master original song) that was released
within the entry qualifying period will be allowed. If a new music video was produced using an old recording (song) for which the song was released outside of this year’s entry eligibility period, those music videos will not quality for entry, and will no longer be accepted.

The date of the NAMAs awards ceremony will hoewever be announced in the coming weeks.

“Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations before
applying,” read a statement from the organisers.

Prospective NAMA 2019 applicants for entries should note the following:
● Entry is free of charge, and artist can enter manually or electronically.
● For manual entries applications forms must be accompanied by the following:
o Copy of Identity document
o 1x Image disc containing the individual/bands image of album cover in high
resolution sized between 500-1000 pixels high and wide not exceeding 1MB and
2x original copies of the album with its cover
● All recordings submitted for the Namibia Annual Music Awards must have been
commercially released (in other words first made available for sale by any recognized
retail trade) in Namibia during the period 1st December 2017 to 30th November 2018,
qualifies for entry. Written proof of release details for the entry period must submitted
together with the fully completed entry.
● Artists can either drop entries sealed in envelope at any NBC offices country-wide or at
MTC Head Office in Windhoek
● If you have entered online, you will be allowed to submit your physical entry form with
your albums after the closing date. The onus remains on the artist to ensure that a
physical entry forms and assets reaches the depository on or before the closing date.
● Depositories outside Windhoek is at all NBC regional offices, NBC Head Offices and MTC
Head Office in Windhoek.
● Online entries are to be submitted to the following URL at www.nama2019.com
● Late entries will be disqualified; entry forms can be downloaded from
www.nama.com.na
● For awards rules, entry requirements and other details please visit www.nama.com.na
Subscribe and follow the official digital channels for the Namibian Annual Music Awards and
be ahead of multiple exciting announcements to follow over the days and weeks ahead
including more live performances, hosts, meet-and-greets with the stars, ticket sales, amazing
competition packages, and much more.
Official Website: www.nama.com.na
Facebook: facebook.com/namibianawards
Twitter: twitter.com/namibianawards or @namibianawards
Instagram: instagram.com/namibianawards or @namibianawards – NDN Staffer