The jury of the Mvet 2011 announced its decision at the CRTV Centre Regional Station on Saturday 4th febuary.

A jury of over 20 professionals from the media and music world met in the Centre Regional Station of the Cameroon Radio Television, CRTV, in Yaounde on Saturday February 3 to select from among 20 nominees, the best musical talents in the Centre Region for 2011. It took one hour thirty minutes for the results of the “Mvet d’Or” music award to be known.

The song “Tchokolo” composed and sung by the now famous Douala-based musical group, X-Maleya, won the most coveted prize “Mvet d’Or” for the best song for 2011. X-Maleya beat its main rival, “2Kitu” by 15 votes to 5. Nonetheless, 2Kitu won the Mvet d’Or Award for the best musical group in 2011. Other winners included Louise Nseke’s Prize for Persistence, Carole Bakotto, the Jury’s Special Prize, while Mani Bella and Letis Diva both shared the award for the best feminine revelation in 2011. Hensa Benty won the best video clip award.

The jury that included Odile Ngaska, Romeo Dika, Abanda Kiss Kiss, Tobi Atangana, Golden Show, Ivo Partem, Lazare Etoundi and Serges Tamba, amongst others, was headed by renowned culture chronicler, François Bingono Bingono. The members had the task of choosing from a list of over 20 musicians that also comprised musical heavyweights like Sergio Polo, Longue Longue, Tonton Ebogo, Petit Pays and Lady Ponce. Criteria included orchestration, text and message, public appreciation, sales and singing techniques. 

“The year 2011 was not a prolific year for Cameroonian music,” said Serges Tamba from RTS Radio Station. Concurring, the jury decided not to grant awards in several categories like masculine revelation, best religious music, best eclectic musical album and best cultural heritage music. “Mvet d’Or Best Music Awards seeks to promote excellence,” said François Bingono Bingono. The awards will be presented to winners during a televised musical programme scheduled for February 18 at the Etok-Kos neighbourhood in Yaounde.

Mvet d’Or Best Music Awards was initiated in 2006 by two broadcasters, Richard Atangana Obama and Bernard Kongue Erere, of the CRTV Centre Regional Station under their much listened-to programme “Turbulences Hit Parade” broadcast every Saturday from 10am to 1pm. Winners for the past six editions include Lady Ponce, Aïjo Mamadou, Bisso Solo and X-Maleya that had won the 2009 edition. The Mvet is a traditional guitar of the Beti people in the Centre and South Regions.