Guests, nominees, and staff dressed the part and made their way to Panari Hotel on Wednesday for the Pulse Music Video awards (PMVAs).
Both young and old, industry newbies and veterans walked down the red carpet as guests checked in for a night full of fun and surprises. The event, themed 'The Greats', saw an impressive reaction from celebrities who showed up in large numbers to celebrate the greats in the industry.
The opportunity was all the new stars needed. And when the moment came, they did not disappoint. Besides, who ever thought a little-known Vicwest would actually be one of the main winners in the PMVAs? He scooped two wards and this made him the biggest winner of the night.
The event was hosted by energetic duo Joedebestt and Claudia Naisabwa, who looked the part.
On the decks, was DJ Nick who kept the momentum all night and there were performances by Vicwest, Brandy Main and Kenya's boyband H_art the Band.
In a year full of dynamic and zeitgeist-defining visuals, Ndovu Kuu, Wakadinali, Buruklyn Boyz and Nadia Mukami were among the big winners of the night.
This year's awards were bigger and better with 19 categories, up from the traditional 11, with the inclusion of regional categories. The winners of such included; Harry Richie with his song Vaida, Bisengo with his song Salute, Kilel Jazz with Chapa Luku, Kareh B with Nduire Ngwiriragiria, Prince Indah with Girwa Ni, and Kaa la Moto ft. Mzee Ngala, with Niskiliize Mwanangu.
Audio Producer of the Year went to Marvo on the Beat for his exemplary work on Usiniharibie mood and Video Producer of the Year went to Ricky Becko on his genius move on Tabia za Wakenya.
In the competitive Male Video of the Year category, Khaligraph Jones (Mbona) was up against Mejja (Kanairo), Bien (Inauma), Nviiri (Nikita), Otile Brown (Terminator) and Ndovu Kuu (Maggie) featuring Bien The Baldman.
In the Female Video of the Year group, Nikita Kering (Oh Yah), Femi One (Hepi), Nadia Mukami (Kai Wangu), Ssaru (Kichwa Tu) and Maandy (Sirudi Home) made the list. And this time round, history repeated itself as Nadia Mukami won. In 2019, she also took the award home.
The greatest highlight of the night was when one of the greats of Kenyan Hip Hop, Esir, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement- Posthumous- 19 years after his death. Esir is considered the greatest rapper to grace the Kenyan Hip Hop scene.
Here is the full list of winners:
Full List of 2022 PMVA WINNERS
CATEGORY SONG TITLE ARTIST
1 Video Vixen of The Year Kanairo Dating Diana Magara
2 New Artist of The Year Holiday Mtemi
3 Male Video of The Year Maggie Ndovu Kuu
4 Best Collaboration of The Year Kunakuna Vic West ft. Fathermoh, Savara, Brandy Maina & Thee Exit Band
5 Best Choreography of The Year Rhumba ya Wababa Papa Lando * Washington
6 Female Video of the Year Kai Wangu Nadia Mukami
7 Best Breakthrough Videos of The Year Kana ka Nikora Hanta the Samurai
8 Best Group of The Year McMca Wakadinali
9 Best Group Video of The Year 23 Buruklyn Boyz
10 Western Video of the Year Vaida Harry Richie
11 Eastern Video of the Year Salute AKA MAITU Bisengo ft Kamba Ladies
12 Rift Valley Video of the Year Chapa luku Kilel jazz
13 Central Video of the Year Nduire Ngwiriragiria Kareh B
14 Nyanza Video of the Year Girwa Ni Prince Indah
15 Coast Video of the Year Nisikilize Mwanangu Kaa la Moto ft Mzee Ngala
16 Audio Producer of The Year Usiniharibie Mood Marvo on the Beat
17 Video Director of The Year Tabia za wakenya Ricky Becko
18 DJ of The Year DJ Grauchy
19 Lifetime Achievement (Posthumous- Award) E-SIR
20 Viewer's Choice of The Year Kunakuna Vic West