Amongst those was Jackalass Onetym, whose name appeared in five categories, namely, People’s Choice Artist of The Year, Best Male Single for his song, Tshipi, which also got him a nomination for Best Newcomer, Best Hip Hop and Best Botswana Pop categories. Another name that appears a couple of times is Juu Matere, who is nominated for his solo projects and collaborations. He has also been nominated for People’s Choice Song of the Year twice in his collaboration with Baxon for a song, Chobolo, that also scooped the Best Collabo nomination. He also got the Best Male Single, Best Dance Single and Best Botswana Pop nominations under his song, O Tshameke. HurriCane, whose songs are mostly collaborations, was nominated for People’s Choice Song of the Year under his song, Machonisa, featuring DJ KSB and Makhadzi and also for his song featuring Master KG and DJ LaTimmy featuring Eemoh in a song dubbed Dubula.
He was further nominated for People’s Choice Artist of the Year and Producer of the Year categories. DJ KSB, HarryCane and Makhadzi’s song Machonisa has also been nominated for Best Collaboration while HarryCane featuring Master KG, DJ La Timmy, and Eemoh’s Dubula was also nominated for Best Amapiano together with his collaboration with DJ KSB and Makhadzi’s Machonisa. Monnamogolo wa Thulaganyo’s Tlhoma Ka Serethe was nominated under Best Botswana Pop, Best Dance Single and People’s Choice Song of the Year. The local pop star Han-C has this year been nominated for People’s Choice Artist of The Year, Best Social Media, Best Male Single via his song, Nako Tsele, featuring DJ KSB, and Best Collabo via his song, Maloba, featuring DJ KSB. Other artists nominated for different awards include DJ Quest, Basho Vision, Frostbite, Dizzy Dee, Swagg Kids DJs, DJ Latty, Dato Seiko, William Last KRM, Chokoma and Ezra Meetings.
Addressing the gathering at the nominees' announcement, Yarona FM board chairperson, Topiwa Chilume, said the awards aimed to celebrate local creatives adding that this year the radio station is celebrating its 25th anniversary. He explained that throughout the years, they have been the voice of local creatives saying that the YAMAS have been their way of honouring artists, producers and other creatives who make that music unforgettable. “The ninth edition of the YAMAS is expected to be bigger than the others with an amazing line-up of nominees who continue to raise the bar of Botswana’s music scene. Each nominee represents the heart, passion and energy that keeps our music energetic, vibrant and relevant,” he said.
