D’Banj gets Special Recognition Award at Channel O Music Video Awards

1. Nigerian superstar, D’Banj, has been named as this year’s Special Recognition award recipient at the upcoming Channel O Music Video Awards which will be broadcast LIVE on DStv on Friday, 11 November. D’Banj follows in the footsteps of many of Africa’s prominent and successful musicians including K’NAAN who was given the Special Recognition Award in 2010, Brenda Fassie in 2009 and George Lee in 2008. Being honoured in this way by the Channel O Music Video Awards, which he also co-hosted with DJ Sbu in 2007, is even more notable for the fact that D’Banj released his debut album just six years ago. However, in that time he has made a huge impact nationally, continentally and now internationally, with his recent signing to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music record label. “It’s really an honour for us to be celebrating an artist such as D’Banj for this year’s Special Recognition Award. Besides the obvious success that D’Banj has had, one of the stand-out factors is that his career, his success and his path run parallel with the growth that we have seen in the African music industry since the inception of the Channel O Music Video Awards. To us he represents a breed of African urban artists who are the African dream,” says Leslie ‘Lee’ Kasumba, Channel O Africa Manager. “His star has been rising for many years now. D’Banj is an artist who has the ability to communicate and connect in a meaningful way. As a musician he is a trendsetter and as a presenter he is entertaining with a wonderful sense of humour. His success both at home and internationally is a testament to his great talent and I am in no doubt that this is just the beginning,” says M-Net Channel Director Yolisa Phahle. D’Banj’s most recent big-hitter is also his most high profile: a remix of ‘Mr Endowed’ featuring the inimitable Snoop Dogg that was released in February 2011. On June 9, 2011, D’Banj wrote on his twitter account, @iamdbanj, “Just like yesterday, myself and my brother did Tongolo. 6 years later, Mo’Hits signs with GOOD Music. Best Birthday gift ever. God thank you.” Now D’Banj 2011 is set to get even better as he’s honoured by Africa’s longest-running music awards with the Channel O Music Video Awards’ Special Recognition Award. Voting for the 2011 Channel O Music Video Awards is now CLOSED. The Channel O Music Video Awards will be broadcast LIVE on Channel O (DStv Channel 320) on Friday 11 November 2011 from the Sandton Convention Center at 21:00 CAT.