SOUTH Africa based rapper Mlue Jay says he was surprised by the nominations he received for the Bulawayo Arts Awards and Zim Hip Hop awards, respectively.
The nominations for the two awards ceremonies were revealed during the week.
For the Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards, the rapper is up for Outstanding hiphop artiste whilst in the Zim hiphop awards, the rapper is nominated six times for Best Male artist.
Best Album (Less Talk, More Action), Best Live Act, Best Diaspora, People's Choice and Positive Social Impact Award.
"I am so honoured to be nominated for the BAA for the second time, I honestly ddnt see it coming," said an excited Mlue Jay.
The rapper didnt hide his zeal to win the award.
"I thought maybe they will snub me, but I was wrong. To me that nomination means a lot and I really hoped I would win it because I really wanted to win it badly," he said.
"Zim Hip-Hop Awards took me by surprise. I thought they wouold nominate me for Best Diaspora like they always do, but I was like wow, I'm actually nominated even for best male.
"I was expecting my album- Less Talk More Action to make the cut because I am the only hip-hop artist from Bulawayo that dropped an album, which did good numbers and made the country about my city."
Mlue Jay said the numerous nominations has put him on the same level with the late Cal Vin and Asaph.
"I am now part of the top three in the city- Me, Cal Vin and Asaph who have had so much number of nominations in one awards ceremony," he said.
"I just hope they make me win and not do me like the way they did Cal Vin, the other year when they nominated him seven times and lost all of them."