By Our Reporter
It was a big night for local Hip-Hop fans as the winners in the 2022 MTN UG Hip-Hop awards were unveiled on Saturday.
The UG Hip-Hop awards were created to recognize and celebrate the talent and hard work of artists in Uganda’s hip-hop industry. MTN has partnered with the platform in recognition of their appeal amongst the youth segment.
To ensure sustainability of the music genre, MTN introduced the MTN Pulse Cypher challenge to discover, nurture and support new talent in the hip-hop industry through providing young talented artistes a platform to showcase their Hip-Hop prowess.
This year, the 5 final contestants of the MTN Pulse Cypher challenge faced off to see the winner take home UGX2million, while the second and third walked away with UGX1.5million and UGX1million respectively.
Allan Wathika, alias Triggah emerged the winner of the Cypher challenge while Ibrahim Balunywa, alias Ebrahim Soul’o and Anena Missy Ochola alias King Missy were the first and second runner-up in this year’s competition.
In a surprise twist, and in recognition of their efforts and skills, MTN Pulse offered a consolation prize of UGX650,000 to the other 2 contestants each as well as 20GB Freedom data bundles to all the top 5 contestants.
In addition, the 5 final contestants of the MTN Pulse Cypher challenge received a chance of a lifetime when Swangz Avenue, a renowned production powerhouse, offered them a collabo for free.
Here’s the full list of winners:
Album of the year
Kraccbone – Ego
Male artist of the year
Navio – 30 seconds to Hollywood
Female artist of the year
Stone Age UG – Kimala Nekigwa
Rookie of the year
Zedmonk Ssabatontomi – Work si myaka
Inspirational song of the year
AJ Stylz ft. Spyda MC – Nkowola
Song of the year
The Mith ft. Herbert Ssesamba – I Give Her Love
Collaboration of the Year
Lagum the Rapper ft. Bangi – Catching Flights
Rap Fusion of the Year
Keinoh – Dior
Video of the year
Keinoh – Drip
Best Producer
207
African Artist of the year
Khaligraph Jones
Eastern Uganda artist of the year
AJ Stylz – Put in the work
Northern Uganda artist of the year
Judas Rapknowledge da Akbar – Heart Of Hannibal Barca
Western Uganda artist of the year
Crazie wispa – Mwebale /Thank you
Central Uganda artist of the year
Felista di superstar
Lyricist of the year
Lyrical G – Sikyasaaga (The L-Matic)
Hip Hop Deejay of the Year
DJ Victor 256
Mixtape of the year personality of the year
Kavali King – 16 track tape
Sweet Sixteen
207 – Abajega
Media personality
Calvin the Entertainer
Lifetime Achievement Award
Steve Jean