Tiwa Savage, WizKid, Denrele, Davido, Kcee And Others Win Big At The 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards In New York City

(New York, NY) – September 1, 2014 – For the 9th year the Nigeria Entertainment Awards (NEA Awards) celebrated and honored members of the Nigeria entertainment industry here in New York, at the NYU Skirball Center for Performing Arts.

The award show was filled with lots of amazing performances - Wande Coal, Praiz, Oritsefemi, the 'Sekem' master MCGalaxy, and the crowd pleaser ShattaWale. Also on stage were Patoranking who performed his popular song “Girlie O”, Skales with his new single “Shake Body”.

Hosts for the night Bovi and Funke Akindele kept the audience entertained with rib-cracking jokes, while Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi worked the audience by interacting and asking audience members questions to keep them engaged and even more involved in the show than in years past. Red carpet coverage was powered by both US and Nigeria/Africa based media houses – Channel O, Sound City, Bella Naija, OkayAfrica, Inside Africa, Bubbles Magazine, Black Enterprise, Luxxe Living and UDRradio just to mention a few.

The hottest single of the year category had a tie with Pull Over – Kcee ft. Wizkid and Aye by Davido both emerging winners. Some of the other winners of the night include Olamide for Album of the Year, DJ Spinall for World DJ, Desmond Elliot for Best Director, and Mavin's First-lady Tiwa Savage took home R&B Artiste of the Year and Female Artist of the year awards. In her acceptance speech Tiwa Savage encouraged fans and the entire industry to continue to support the NEAs, mentioning that International awards such as BET and MTV started off similar to the NEAs, and have been able to grow thanks to the support received.

The organizers would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has in one way or another helped in making this year's awards a success. To all the sponsors, media partners, nominees, members of the entertainment industry, and the amazing fans, we appreciate you. To the members of the NEA team, and the volunteers who tirelessly work behind the scenes to make it all come to life, we truly are thankful.

The 9th NEA Awards was sponsored by Chibase Productions, MTech, Impeccable Hospitality, City Limo, WIN Foundation. Major partners include Channel O, YSGHubs, Firematic Ent, MayvenPR, The Exodus Guild, Beat FM, Star FM, Cool FM, BellaNaija, UDRradio, Rhythm FM, EEC, UnderdaRock, 745Ent, Raging Bull Ent, LOI Graphics, DJ Tee Films, Anashe Media Group, Black Enterprise, Toast Magazine.

About NEA
The NEA AWARDS is an annual entertainment award show held in the United States, with the sole purpose of celebrating and recognizing the numerous contributions of entertainers to the African entertainment industry, while at the same time promoting the image and rich culture of Nigeria.

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2014 NIGERIA ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS WINNERS

MUSIC

Best Album of the Year
Baddest Boy Ever Liveth - Olamide
Hottest Single of the Year
Pull-Over -Kcee ft. Wizkid
Aye - Davido

Best New Act of the Year
Patoranking

Gospel Artist of the year
Frank Edwards

Indigenous Artist of the year
Oritshe femi

Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year
Tiwa Savage

Female Artist of the Year
Tiwa Savage

Male Artist of the Year
Davido

Best Rap Act of the Year
Ice Prince
Music Producer of the Year
Del B

Best Music Video of the Year (Artist & Director)
Rands & Naira (Emmy Gee & Nick)
Best Collaboration
Gallardo - Runtown Ft. Davido
Most Promising Act to Watch

Ayo Jay

Diaspora Artist of the year
L.A.X

African Artist of the Year (Non-Nigerian)
Shatta Wale
FILM
Best Actor in a Lead Role
Tope Tedela (A Mile from Home)
Best Supporting Actor
Yomi Fash-Lanso (Omo Elemosho)

Best Actress in a Lead Role
Funke Akindele in Agnetta (O'Mpa)

Best Supporting Actress
Genevieve Nnaji (Half of a Yellow Sun)
Best Director
Desmond Elliott (Finding Mercy)
Best Picture
Half of a Yellow Sun

OTHER CATEGORIES

Entertainment Personality of the Year

Denrele Edun - Channel O
Entertainment Executive of the Year

E-Money - Five Star Records

Best OAP

Yaw – Wazobia FM

Funniest Comedian of Year

Bovi

World DJ

DJ Spinall - Nigeria