Chaguo la Teeniez: The Kenyan awards that put the ‘show’ in showbiz

The awards were Kenya’s version of Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, The Grammys, BET Awards and MTV VMA awards. A brilliant mix that propelled local music to greater heights.

Chaguo La Teeniez Awards (CHAT Awards) were initiated in 2002 by 'The Insyder' founders duo of Adam Nyakundi and Ngaruiya Githegi.

Their aim was of recognizing young talent and providing a platform for talented artists to thrive.

The event was associated with the glitz and glamour, pop and colour, that came with the Kenyan music culture.

The show, which was held every year in April, was where Kenyan musicians and influencers came to shine and showcase their might in the entertainment industry.

One show-stopping scene that remains in the mind of many Kenyans was when the king of bling, rapper CMB Prezzo made a grand helicopter entrance into the event.

Prezzo hired a helicopter to fly from Wilson airport to Carnivore, where the Chaguo la Teeniez event was held. The two are separated by a fence.

According to Prezzo, who was reminiscing about the event during an interview with CTA in March last year, he spent Ksh.135,000 for less than one hour.

Another celebrity who had a grand entrance in the popular event was musician Mejja alongside his then producer, Clemmo. They both arrived at the 2008 Chaguo la Teeniez in a black chopper.

CodeRed Entertainment used fire engines and super bikes for their 2008 Chaguo la Teeniez grand entrance as Rapper Prezzo and well-known personality Kaz arrived at the event in a fleet of cars and was met by a crowd of fans.

Rapper Kenrazy on the other hand also made a grand entrance when he arrived in a white and red coloured horse carriage.

Artists signed to Ogopa Deejays showcased their might in the industry when they arrived in a motorcade of gleaming vehicles at the 2011 Chaguo la Teeniez Award show.

The crew included two-some Marya and Avril, Roberta Kathimba, Alpha, Trapee and Kenzo, among others, who rode in a Hummer, Lexus and Toyota Land Cruiser.

The celebrities were met by a legion of fans who attended the much-anticipated event every year, religiously.

Some braced the early morning cold while some came from out of the city to assemble at the designated area by 9 a.m.

Chaguo la Teeniez was a trending topic among most if not all high-schoolers, who went back to school after the holidays.

As it is, there is no award show that has dared to match the pomp that came with the music award show.

Chaguo la Teeniez slowly faded after celebrating 10 years and left a major gap in the industry which is now practically devoid of any meaningful entertainment award ceremony.