Ntokozo Mdluli popularly known as K.O reacts to not winning any award at the Metro FM Music Awards which took place last Saturday.
The rapper bagged the most nomination from 7 categories but won zero awards which left many curious, especially with his hit song, Sete.
Speaking to ZiMoja, Ntokozo says he’s trying to push his career at the international level without being worried over the awards.
“I have been fortunate enough to see so much success at home in South Africa as part of a group and as a solo artist. There is only so much one can do. Not that I take the nominations and awards lightly but I have never been invested like that,” he tells ZiMoja.
“There are so many cases where you anticipate a win and it doesn’t come or when you don’t and you get it. So, awards are really a seesaw for any artist. It’s up to you to maintain a level of sanity, you just need to focus on the things that matter. The fact that I was nominated seven times is already a blessing on its own,” he says.
“This is a livelihood. I am living comfortably. I am blessed and able to feed my family through music, that’s a big win for me, more than any trophy. I am happy for everyone that won that night,” he adds.
“When you’re a new artist coming, you expect the world to roll the red carpet for you, give you praises and you think trophies are your flowers and medals of honour. But with more years and maturity in the industry, you realise awards are not the end of it all.”
Speaking about why his hit song, Sete didn’t win any awards, he said:
“Yes, there’s a voting aspect, but it’s cool. If it’s based on that. Clearly, there was a lot more effort that was put out by the winners and fans to make sure they win. Once that is a deciding factor, then it becomes tricky how everything plays out. So, I don’t really invest too much in trying to get into campaigning. I make the music and If people love it, they love it, if they don’t, then they don’t.”
“Awards are not the end goal for me. I am able to go out, do shows, and do big numbers- those are the efforts that bring great returns. When it’s all said and done, it is just PR. I am still happy even If I don’t get any.”
“I don’t know how it works. If people voted more for others than us, then that’s final. There’s nothing we can do about that. Awards or not. I am already a made man, legendary and I am going to continue performing my purpose with or without the trophies.”
