After hitting a snag in 2019, the Backing Vocalists and Session Musicians awards are making a comeback. This year’s awards would make the third time the event will be happening.
The BVSM was founded by the Princess of Africa, Yvonne Chaka Chaka. The Backing Vocalists and Session Musicians centre on celebrating backing vocalists and session musicians who have been cast aside for a long time. This will bring them into the spotlight and ensure that they are appreciated. They are the unappreciated heroes in the music industry. Their role in the studio and stage has not been appraised but they are very essential. Session musicians and backing singers are hardly appreciated during press interviews, live performances and awards ceremonies. This was why Yvonne Chaka Chaka founded this event to appreciate those that play a great role in the music industry.
The awards will be happening at the Soweto Theatre in Jabulani, Soweto on the 15th of March, 2020. This year, the musicians to be honoured will span the period between 1996 and 2000.
The internationally-recognised singer said:
I’m truly delighted that the BVSM awards are back this year. It’s a project close to my heart because it’s rooting for the underdog and often the marginalised in the music industry.
This year, the winners of the BVSM will receive R5,000 cash. A winner will also receive an additional R20,000 which will be deposited in an endowment policy, which the winner can only cash after a five-year period.
This initiative was being made to ensure that the musicians do not die without a penny.
While explaining the reasons for creating the BVSM, the Princess of Africa had said:
These are special artists who bring variety into one’s music and enhances one’s artistry. Without their input I don’t think I would have made it as a recording and stage artist. I was young and inexperienced when I became a professional musician and they were there to guide me. I owe my success to them. Today I look back and appreciate their guidance. It has been ten years since I conceived the idea of honouring them.
The Backing Vocalists and Session Musicians awards will be held every two years. The first event was launched in 2015 and another was held in 2017. In 2019, the event failed to take place because Yvonne Chaka Chaka did not get a sponsor.
