Psquare Receives KORA Top Prize

 By Biodun Ogundairo

Contrary to the widespread belief that all Nigerian artistes boycotted the KORA All Africa Music Awards held in Burkina Faso last weekend, multiple sources have confirmed that pop twins Psquare were in fact, in Ouagadougou days after the controversial event  where they were named winner of the night’s biggest award -Best African act – and winner of  the $1 Million prize attached.

Psquare defeated the Senegalese group, Black Diamond; Angola’s Paul G; and homegrown Amety Meria to win the award

It’s the first time Okoye brothers are associating with an awards event in a while. Last year, they were conspicuously missing at the MTV Africa Music Awards, Hiphopworld Awards, Soundcity Music Video Awards and Nigeria Music Video Awards. They have been quoted as saying, in different interviews that they would no longer attend awards events, following widely-reported issues with MOBO, MAMA and HHWA  – all three awards where they lost out at different times.

That they rushed down to Burkina Faso on Monday, after performing in London last weekend, has set many tongues wagging. But those close to them insist they had a scheduled Stadium concert in the State Capital, and were only honouring a performance engagement, rather than ‘rushing’ down to receive the KORA prize.

‘I really can’t say why they decided to do the KORA thing, especially with all the controversies surrounding the event. But I guess it paid off at the end. They got them a whopping $1M! How many people will turn down N150 Million?’ one of their close associates who wanted anonymity, told NET over the phone.

Their elder brother and manager, Jude ‘Engees’ Okoye, was also named Best Video Director for ‘Do Me’, one of the hit tracks in their third album titled Game Over. Jude’s plaque comes with $20,000 [N3million] cash prize.

Other winners included lifetime achievement awards for Cape Verde’s Cesaria Evora and Gabon’s Pierre Akendengue, Ghana’s Becca for best African prospect, Senegal’s Chronicle 2h for best reggae artist, and Alicia Keys (who was absent) for “best African-American artist of the diaspora.

Akon reportedly shunned the event after being engaged to attend and perform.

The only other Nigerian act who has been named KORA African artiste of the Year in KORA’s 16-year history is Femi Kuti who won in 1999. Kuti, was however, in court with the organisers for years, following what he termed their refusal to give him his cash prize. It’s uncertain if the case has been resolved. KORA is also presently in court with the Cross Rivers State Government, after the latter sued them for contract breach.

Meanwhile, a Psquare rep mailed in some pictures from the event, this Afternoon. The pictures, below, show the duo and their brother Jude with President of Burkina Faso at the Presidential Villa on Monday. Peter and Paul Okoye wore KORA T-Shirts.

“We are dedicating the award to God because He has been so kind to us. And of course our fans in home and abroad, we really appreciate them and promise not to disappoint them or relent on our oars” Peter Okoye said in a statement sent to NET today by their rep.

“This is actually not the first time we were nominated for KORA, but we strongly believe that God’s time is the best.”

The brothers earned their first KORA nomination in 2003 for their album ‘Senorita’

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6. 2face, Psquare, Tiwa Savage, Others Rock At ‘The Beat of Lagos’
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Tags: african artiste of the year, kora, kora all africa awards, psquare