Luanda - The singers Chelsea Dinorath and Selda were on Friday night in Luanda the big winners of the “Top Rádio Luanda Competition 2022 edition”, after taking prizes in two categories, marking the return of the song contest five years later.
Chelsea Dinorath won in the categories of “Revelation (i.e best newcomer)” and “best female voice”, while Selda got the “best ballad” and “best afro jazz song” of the year.
The announcement of the winners, which took place at the Tent of Luanda Bay spot, was preceded by a 40-minute tribute to the City of Luanda, with the performances of the singers Nguami Maka, Euclides da Lomba, Maya Zuda, Claudeth Tichzungo, Lio Francis, Jojó Gouveia, Kanú André, Gelson Castro and Alexandra Bento, who were backed by the FM music band.
The contest also gave awards to the singers Jojó Gouveia (best cover song of the year) Miguel Buila (Gospel), Biura and Dreezy (R&B), Deezy (Rap), Baló Januário (Folk song), and Anderson Mario was awarded best revelation (newcomer) male voice category.
The groups Ingomblock, Afro Beat Fusion and Real Drogadinho were awarded the prize for best Kuduro of the year, while Gabriel Tchiema received the Career award.
For best kizomba music, Nikila de Sousa was the chosen of the people, while Halison Paixão was awarded male voice category, Gerilson Israel was awarded the prize for best ghetto Zouk and best semba for Taxas and Tatá Almeida.
The winners received a diploma, a medal, and a trophy, during the event attended by more than 600 people who vibrated and danced to the rhythm of the winners' songs at the end of the gala,
The teacher Rosa Roque, the event production company Nova Energia, the singers Noite e Dia, Jorge Servante and Tito Paris, Bi-Max, the DJ Mania, DJ Chico Viegas, DJ Lutonda, and the producer Hochi Fu, as well as the Casa de Cultura do Rangel "Nzinga Bande” and the Kilamba Cultural Center, were also distinguished.
The gala was also marked by a moment of commotion, by the brief words of thanks from Weza Caiu Mendes, widow of the kuduro music icon Nagrelha, who died last year and was also one of the honoured of the music contest night.
The announcement and the first stage of voting were made in November last year and in January this year the selected artists for the next phase were presented, and in March the three most voted in each category were presented.
This edition was also marked by the change of the date of the event, March, unlike what happened previously, which was on January 25, Luanda´s City Day.
The organizers informed that the next editions will be held as part of the celebrations of Radio Luanda day on February 4.
This year the Evaluation Board was introduced, presided by singer Gersy Pegado and integrated by Maneco Vieira Dias, Salas Neto, Raimundo Salvador, Edson Macedo, Mallaryah and Hamilton Domingos.
The contest Top Rádio Luanda aims to recognize and value the art through the quality of the songs produced and to promote the Angolan identity.
