AMVCA 8: Here are all the unforgettable moments from the show

The eighth edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) dubbed AMVCA 8 marked the return of the prestigious award show after a one-year break, and, boy, were we treated to quite the comeback!

The week-long event featured eight high-profile events including an opening gala, a runway show, a Showmax-sponsored Digital Content Creators brunch, a cultural display event to celebrate African diversity, and a nominees gala night.

The event reached its pinnacle on Saturday, 14 May, with the awards ceremony that left social media buzzing.

The event was hosted by media personality and Nigerian Idol host IK Osakioduwa, and South African media personality plus the star of Being Bonang and A Very Bonang Year, Bonang Matheba.

From the vibrant fashion on display to the ecstatic winners and nostalgic performances, AMVCA 8 gave us many moments that will define Nigerian pop culture for a long time to come.

Here are all the unforgettable moments from AMVCA 8.

Deyemi and IK Osakioduwa’s hilarious reenactment of Chris Rock and Will Smith’s Oscar’s brouhaha

Here’s what really happened… dear @ik_osakioduwa sha no come mainland or else you go collect! #amvca #amvca8 pic.twitter.com/kXw9FW0WAf

— DeyemiTheActor (@_deyemi) May 15, 2022

The 2022 Oscars became synonymous with the brain resetting, highly offensive slap that Will Smith gave Chris Rock. It’s been months since the incident but the memes remain evergreen.

It was therefore super hilarious to watch IK take good-natured jabs at Jasmine star Deyemi Okolanwon, whom he teased about working various jobs during the Covid lockdown despite his status as a box-office star.

“During Covid, Deyemi became an estate agent, sorry, realtor. I can just picture him using all his acting skills to lie,” IK teased.

In response, Deyemi yelled, “keep my name out of your mouth” ala Will Smith at the 2022 Oscars.

Deyemi’s response had the audience roaring with laughter but what was even more hilarious was his attempt to get on stage to supposedly deck IK before he was stopped by two hefty bouncers on his way.

While the exchange was clearly scripted, it still had us in stitches and was definitely one of the highlights of the evening.

Osas Ighodaro’s emotional win

One of the best things about watching award shows is seeing the emotions play across the faces of the winners. Whether it is disbelief, excitement, or the overwhelming tears of joy, emotions are always running high.

This time, it was Osas Ighodaro’s emotional speech that had us in our feelings, and more so co-star Stan Nze running alongside her to the stage, cheering her on, not knowing he would also be on stage moments after to collect his own award. Talk about colleagues supporting colleagues.

The multi-talented actress who won the award for the Best Actress in a Drama for her role in Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story was clearly overcome with emotions and let her joyful tears flow freely as she accepted the award and dedicated it to her late mum who passed away right before the premiere of the movie.

Congratulations are certainly in order for Osas. 

Lagbaja’s nostalgic performance meets Rema’s new-age vibes

One of the most highly anticipated moments of AMVCA 8 was the much-touted performance from Lagbaja and Rema.

The year was 2003 and Lagbaja was the biggest thing on the Nigerian music scene. The masked man who played the saxophone had dropped hit after hit and no party was complete without a Lagbaja track. 

Unfortunately, we haven’t seen much of the masked man in recent years and many wondered what it would be like to see him perform again.

Thankfully, we didn’t have to wonder for too long as Lagbaja lit up the AMVCA 8 stage with songs that gave us so much nostalgia and brought back the good old Year-2K vibes.

The veteran musician who joined Rema on stage treated the audience to hits like Konko Below and  Gra Gra which had the audience in a frenzy.

AMVCA, thank you ohh!

Sabinus bags debut award for Best Online Social Content Creator

One of the innovations introduced to the AMVCA this year was the Best Online Social Content Creator award category, done in a bid to promote the inclusion of digital content creators.

Online comics and skit makers including talents like KieKie, Elozonam, Taooma, and Sabinus were nominated in this category.

However, it was Sabinus aka Sabinwa aka investor Sabinus, who bagged the award and it was rather interesting to see Sabinus so short of words and in utter disbelief. 

He proceeded to thank his fans and Lagos State for the opportunities given to him.

Congratulations, Sabinwa!

Nigerian Idol past and present contestants’ performances

One of the biggest highlights of the evening was seeing both past and present contestants of the Nigerian Idol competition perform at the show.

Kingdom and Akunna, the winner and 2nd runner-up of Season 6, delivered a stellar rendition of Beyoncé’s I Was Here as a tribute to Nigeria’s entertainment greats who are no longer with us.

While the Top 12 contestants of Season 7 also got on stage to perform Wizkid’s hit single “Ojuelegba” and the crowd absolutely loved it.

Way to go, Idols!

And the award for Best Dressed goes to…

If there is anything you can be sure of, it is that Nigerians will show up and show out when it comes to their outfits.

The red carpet, which was hosted by Nigerian fashion icons The Buzz host, Toke Makinwa, and BBNaija host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, saw a healthy mix of the good, the bad, and the extra.

Judging from the outfits it was certain that there would be a hard time choosing a winner. 

Ultimately, fashion consultant and actor Denola Grey emerged as the best-dressed male, while Osas Ighodaro was the best-dressed female.

Congratulations, Denola and Osas!

Watch new episodes of AMVCA winner The Johnsons and binge the full season The Rishantes now on Showmax.