Empress Lily emerges as the Winner of Basadi in Music Reggae Artist of the Year
Empress Lily, a young and emerging artist from Orange Farm, surprised everyone by winning the Reggae Artist of the Year Award at the Basadi in Music Awards 2023 (BIMAs). The Annual Basadi in Music Awards are aimed at celebrating female talent in the music industry and Nominees are selected and voted for by the public.
The winners were announced at a glamorous event held at theJoburg Theater on December 12 2023. Empress Lily found herself almost overwhelmed by the presence of top female personalities who are making big moves in the music and entertainment field. She emerged in a true underdog fashion, beating the favourites to the title. She was the least expected to clinch the title.
The Reggae Artist of the year Nominees included the current South African Music Awards Reggae Winner Reign Afrika who comes from the Vaal, just like Empress Lily. Zama Sunshine who is more popular in the East Rand and Dub Circles. Another artist from the Vaal, Dimahr, who also got a nomination in the Best New Comer of the Year Category and Delta The Leo.
Despite being the underdog, she campaigned tirelessly for votes. She had just released her debut album titled Mama in December last year under the GangaLee Productions Label. She featured on the I Surrender Riddim by Jammin Media Group the previous year. She then embarked on a promotional drive for her album and her Reggae Award nomination. She relied heavily on the support of her community of Orange Farm. “Empress Lily needs your vote to bring Basadi in Music award home” ran the article of the local Newspaper, Orange Farm News. “I’m happy and honored to be nominated in such a prestigious awards amongst powerful women. It’s overwhelming, your support will be highly appreciated,” said Empress Lily.
She then went on a radio promo drive where she was a guest at the rising popular Rubber Dance Show hosted by the buoyant Shado Mpembe on Inanda 88.4, a South African Community radio station situated in Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal and broadcast to most of the KwaZulu Natal, province. She was also on Borgat Radio an online Show hosted by Don Dada. She did the rounds on the local community stations. On Tik Tok she did a cute video asking her passe to keep voting. “Votani Guyz”. Her Community came through for her, she asked for their support and they rallied behind her. She made them proud, her journey from Orange Farm to success makes them proud, and this is what makes this victory a little more sweeter.
The name her parents gave her means To Light, Khanyisa. She does have a certain spark in her. Khanyisa Dibane, now known as Empress Lily hails from Orange Farm, a township 45 km from Johannesburg. Its name, a misnomer given that oranges are grown in orchards instead of farms. It is one of the youngest townships in South Africa, with the original inhabitants, laid-off farm workers, taking up residency in 1988. Support for the population came slowly mostly from people who were tenants at the larger township of Soweto.
Empress Lily bears some resemblance to her township. At eighteen, she is the youngest recipient of this Award and new in the Reggae Dancehall scene. Her name is a misnomer, She looks and sounds more like a Princess. Mama’s little Princess. She debuted with a Reggae Dancehall Pop Playful album titled Mama.
There are mixed reactions to her winning this award. Most feel that she was not deserving of the award. Her album is not exactly mind blowing and her delivery is very child like.
Listen to the Album.
The awards will be broadcast on @SABC_2 on the 27th of August at 20:30.
Full List of the Basadi in Music Awards Winners
Reggae Artist of the Year
- Empres Lilly – ‘One Day’
- Delta The Leo – Pum Pum’
- Dimahr – ‘Uptown Girls’
- Reign Afrika – ‘Bazali Bam’
- Zama Sunshine – ‘Tell Me’
Afro Pop Artist of the Year
- Kelly Khumalo – ‘Akathintwa’
- Brenda Mtambo – ‘Enzakwenzeke’
- Lioness Mohoje – ‘Dipotso’
- Lwah Ndlunkulu – ‘Ngiyeza’
- Nomfundo Moh – ‘Izibusiso’
Sofnfree Amapiano Artist of the Year
- Khanyisa Jaceni ft. Sir Trill, Marcus Mc, Tycoon & Ben Da Prince – ‘Gyjima’
- Boohle ft. Murumba Pitch & Gaba Cannal – ‘Undenza Ntoni’
- Kamo Mphela ft. Various Artists – ‘Hannah Montana’
- Nkosazana Daughter ft. Murumba Pitch, Master Kg & Lowsheen – ‘Ring Ring Ring’
- Pabi Cooper ft. Mello & Sleazy – ‘Waga Bietjie’
Artist of the Year
- Lwah Ndlunkulu
- Lizwi
- Makhadzi
- Skye Wanda
- Uncle Waffles
Dance Artist of the Year
- Nuzu Deep – ‘Come Find Me’
- Maline Aura ft. Karyendasoul – ‘Ifu’
- Manana Highness – ‘Ngifuna Wena’
- Simmy ft. Msaki – ‘Hlelo’
- Skye Wanda – ‘Amazwi’
DJ of the Year
- Lady Amar
- Lamiez Holworthy
- Ms Cosmo
- Pru Luv
- Uncle Waffles
Duo/Collaboration of the Year
- Qwabe Twins – ‘Sobonana’
- Bontle Smith, Nia Pearl and Nicol Elocin – ‘My Love’
- Group Chat – ‘Mama’
- Ney the Bae and Nadia Nakai – ‘Thick Slim’
- Txc And Khanyisa – ‘Vuka Mawulele’
Nando’s Emerging Artist of the Year
- Noluthando Ngema
- Black Villain
- Buzzi Lee
- Gemma Fassie
- Qaqamba Ntshinka
Entertainment Journalist of the Year
- Masego Seemela – Sowetan Smag
- Amanda Matshaka – Sa Positive News
- Andiswa Ngenyane – Daily Sun
- Nokubongwa Phenyane – Isolezwe
- Nokuthula Zwane – News24
Entertainment Radio Presenter of the Year
- Khutso Theledi – The Break Away (Metro FM)
- Lerato Kganyago – Midday Link Up (Metro FM)
- Lethabo Lejoy Mathatho – Monate Breakfast Show (Thobela FM)
- Mittah Ledimo – The Kickstart on The Bloem Rise Breakfast Show (Radio Bloem)
- Thando Thabethe – 947 Drive With (Thando 947)
Entertainment Radio Producer of the Year
- Phila Tyekana – The Touchdown (Metro FM)
- Ayanda Melansi – Jabul’ Ujule (Ukhozi FM)
- Kgoshigadi Rangata – Power Experience (Power FM)
- Masego Tlhakanye – 5 Weekend Breakfast (5FM)
- Pru Luv – Midday Link Up (Metro FM)
Entertainment TV Producer of the Year
- Philisa Bidi – Massive Music (Channel O)
- Layinah Petersen – Espresso Show (S3)
- Mathawe Matsapola – The Morning Show (eTV)
- Mbali Gamede – Lifestyle 101 (Soweto TV)
- Thapelo Mowela – Morning Live (SABC 2)
Gospel Artist of the Year
- Ntokozo Mbambo – ‘Ngcwele Nkosi’
- Athandie Mvusi – ‘Thixo Akunangqaleko’
- Bucy Radebe – ‘Vuka Jona’
- Hle – ‘Take Heart’
- Mmatema – ‘My Time Is Now’
Hip Hop Artist of the Year
- Nadia Nakai ft. Lucasraps – ‘Not The Same’
- Faith K – ‘Ongen’koti’
- Fifi Cooper ft. Lwah Ndlunkulu – ‘Ngeke’
- Ney The Bae – ‘Hi Everybody’
- Rouge – ‘Turn It Up’
Jazz Artist of the Year
- Thesis ZA – ‘Chosi’
- Gloria Bosman – ‘Bonga Njalo’
- Katalia – ‘Bophelo’
- Thandi Ntuli – ‘Inkululeko’
Music TV Presenter of the Year
- Ntombee Mzolo – Yash’ Ingoma’
- Pamela Mtanga – Massive Music
- Senelisiwe Mbongwa – ‘Soweto TV Gospel Xplosion
Music Video of the Year
- Ney The Bae ft. Given Zulu – ‘Ingwe’
- Jamie Lee-Sexton – ‘Run Run Run’
- Kamo Mphela ft. Various Artists – ‘Ghost’
- Lwah Ndlunkulu – ‘Ngiyeza’
- Pabi Cooper ft. Mello & Sleazy – ‘Waga Bietjie’
Newcomer of the Year
- Group Chat – ‘Mama’
- Dimahr – ‘Uptown Girls’
- Dimakatso Lee – ‘Holokile’
- Eves Manxeba ft. May Jack – ‘Ukukhanya’
- Kele M – ‘Awake’
Pop Artist of the Year
- Holly Rey – ‘Stripped’
- Herrah – ‘7PM’
- Jamie-Lee Sexton – ‘Run Run Run’
- Rah Punzl – ‘Don’t Stop’
- Tamara Dey – Disco Therapy
Social Media Influencer of the Year
- Tshidi Kekana Manganye
- Mandz Not Hot
- Nelisiwe Sibiya
- Pamela Mtanga
- Thato Immaculate
Song of the Year
- ‘Ithuba’ – Lwah Ndlunkulu ft. Siya Ntuli
- ‘Undeza Ntoni’ – Boohle ft. Murumba Pitch and Gabba Canal
- ‘Hamba Juba’ – Lady Amar, JL SS, Cici and Murumba Pitch
- ‘Waga Bietjie’ – Pabi Cooper ft. Mello & Sleazy
- ‘Yahyuppiyah’ – Uncle Waffles,Tony Duardo, Justin99 ft. Pcee, Eeque and Chley
SAMRO Songwriter of the Year
- Msaki
- Gloria Bosman
- Jamie Lee Sexton
- Lioness Mohoje
- Phumla Music
Stylist of the Year
- Odirile
- Boogy Maboi
- Lindo Mnguni
- Lindu Stylist
- Nhlanhla Mafu
Traditional Artist of the Year
- Dr Sophy – ‘Vamaseve wa Mina’
- Candy Tsamandebele ft. Henny C – ‘Rato Laka’
- Dr Buselaphi ft. Camagwini & Shota – ‘Uma Khanda Khanda’
- MmaAusi – ‘Chiba le Kgomo’
- Pleasure Tsa Manyalo – ‘Mahlako Roko Ya Mosadi’
Non-voting category recipients
CEO Mosadi In Business Achievement Award Recipients
- Nhlanhla Mafu for NN Vintage
- Thando Thabethe for Thabooty’s Underwear and Shapewear
- Boity for Be You By Boity and BT Signature
Mosadi In Music In Africa Award Recipients
- Berita (Zimbabwe)
- Maleh (Lesotho)
- Mpho Sebina (Botswana)
- Sefa (Ghana)
Lifetime Achievement Awards
- Angélique Kidjo
- Letta Mbulu
- PJ Powers