(Seychelles News Agency) - Young and upcoming Seychellois singer Angie Arnephy has described being named the country's best artist as a proud moment and huge accomplishment.

Arnephy has been voted the best Seychelles artist for 2016 by ‘Les Voix de l’Ocean Indien’ [Voices of the Indian Ocean] -- a regional award. The 7^th edition of the award ceremony was held in Reunion Island at the weekend.

Speaking to SNA on Monday, Arnephy, 20, said she was thrilled to receive the award, which comes roughly a year after she made her debut onto the island nation’s music scene.

“It shows that my work is being recognized in the Indian Ocean, especially in Reunion where my songs and video clips are being aired,” she told SNA, adding that she came to learn that she had won the prize two weeks ago.

Unfortunately, the Seychellois singer could not make it to Reunion Island to collect her award on Saturday. This is due to her law studies at the University of Seychelles.

Her award was accepted by Réunionnais Sebastien Rougemont, who produced her latest video clip entitled ‘Satisfaksyon.’

Angie thanked her manager, Derrick Young-Khon, as well as relatives and friends for supporting her music career.

Arnephy's award was accepted by Réunionnais Sebastien Rougemont, who produced her latest video clip entitled ‘Satisfaksyon.’ (Derrick Young-Khon) Photo License: CC-BY

Young-Khon, who aside of being Arnephy’s manager is also the Seychelles’ representative for ‘Les Voix de l’Ocean Indien and Télé Kréol, told SNA that the young artist gained a lot of visibility through the media in Reunion in 2015 and 2016.

“The Reunion-based juryusually looks at the artist who has made more impact in the region and specifically in Reunion island," he said. “Angie did a lot of work which has been seen and appreciated by the Reunion public, thus making her favorite for this award.” 

Young-Khon said another criteria is that the young artist has written her own songs except for her debut single ‘Bers Mon Lavi dan ou love.’

Arnephy, who hails from Anse-Boileau, in the western side of Mahe, Seychelles’ main island, debuted her solo career and gained popularity in 2015 with a remixing of the love song ‘Bers Mon Lavi dan ou love.’ The song was written and produced by renowned artist from Reunion Island, Cyril Moimbe, known by his stage name, Toulou, who sings the original version entitled “Fai vivre a moin dans lo love”.

The single brought Arnephy to win the award for best new artist at the Seychelles Airtel Music Award 2015.

Angie Arnephy made his debut on the Seychelles music scene in 2015. (Derrick Young-Khon) Photo License: CC-BY

Earlier in 2016, the young singer released ‘Satisfaskyon’ – her fifth single – which is being aired on a number of television channels in Reunion namely, Télé Kréol, Piment.TV and Kanal Austral. 

Arnephy has her eyes set on realizing her next project -- to release an album. She is also expected to record a Sega entitled ‘Cafrines des iles’ with an artist from Reunion -- Flavien Anthony, also featuring Seychellois singer Sandra Esparon.

Arnephy has become the third artist from Seychelles to win an award presented by ‘Les Voix de l’Ocean Indien.’ The other recipients from Seychelles are Sandra Esparon who was voted Seychelles’ best artist in 2014 and the best artist of the Indian Ocean for the 2014 edition of the award. Veteran Seychellois singer well-known and much appreciated for his Creole music Jean Marc Volcy was voted the best Seychelles artist in 2015.

‘Les Voix de l’Ocean Indien’ was initiated in 2010 to recognize artists in Reunion Island – a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean. It was then extended to include artists from other Indian Ocean island nations -- Mauritius, Rodrigues, Madagascar, the Comoros and Seychelles.