adminAMERICAN comedian Anthony Anderson will host this year’s MTV Africa Music Awards (Mamas). Fresh from hosting the 2015 BET Awards, Anthony, popular from his role on Big Momma’s House, follows in the footsteps of past hosts such as comedian Marlon Wayans, who hosted the awards last year, rapper Eve, musician Wyclef Jean and British TV personality Trevor Nelson.
Alex Okosi, senior vice-president and managing director of Viacom Africa, said Anthony was guaranteed to make the Mamas 2015 a memorable event.
“I’m honoured to be hosting the Mamas on Nelson Mandela’s birthday. It’s going to be awesome,” Anderson said, adding that he was looking forward to his first trip to KwaZulu Natal.
The Mamas stage will be rocked by the likes of Nigerian singer 2Face, AKA, Big Nuz, Black Motion, Bucie, Cassper Nyovest, Da LES, Davido and Diamond Platnumz. DJ Fisherman, DJ Tira, Jhene Aiko, NaakMusiQ, Ne-Yo, Toofan, Wizkid and others who will also be there. The awards will be aired simultaneously for the first time on MTV Base (channel 322), MTV (channel 130) and BET (channel 129) on Saturday at 9PM.
Meanwhile, talented choreographers, Somizi “Somgaga” Mhlongo and Gugu Mbatha, have been left out of this year’s Mamas.
This comes after Viacom decided they needed fresh blood to choreograph the show.
Internationally acclaimed choreographer, Paul Modjadji and Jay Kayembe of Masters Of Rhythm, have been appointed ahead of the awards taking place in Durban, KwaZulu Natal on Saturday.
Sunday Sun understands organisers were unimpressed with the job Somizi and Gugu did last year, so they told them to go fly a kite.
Sources close to Somizi and Gugu claimed the two are unhappy after they were side-lined from the glittering event, where they can network with international stars and influential people around the world.
“This came as a shock for Somizi and Gugu because they thought they’d be back as choreographers.
“They thought after doing a splendid job last year, they’d be back at the helm of the awards, but things turned around.
“MTV wants people who’re versatile and who’ll bring a variety of choreography to the show. Paul and Jay are still young and innovative, so they were given a chance to do the show,” said a source.
Sunday Sun tried, without success, to get hold of Paul, who is in the US to attend the President Barack Obama Young African Leadership Initiative.
Jay said: “I’m not that person who likes to talk to the media. Please, speak to MTV. I can’t comment.”
For his part, Somizi said: “I’m actually busy with other projects and couldn’t avail myself to the production due to my hectic schedule. I’m only doing choreography for D’banj’s tribute.”
Gugu said: “I worked on the awards last year, but this year I didn’t get a call from the Mamas and I heard that organisers have appointed a guy known as Paul to do choreography.”
Tim Horwood, MTV channel director, who confirmed that Paul and Jay are part of the event, said: “Every year we approach the awards as a new production with fresh new creative ideas.” — DailySun/Showbiz Reporter.
Online Reporter