adminMelissa Mpofu Showbiz Editor
MTV Base this week revealed the 2015 MTV Africa Music Awards (Mama) nominations with South Africa’s Cassper Nyovest topping the list at three nominations followed by AKA, Wizkid and K.O with two nominations each.
Celebrating the extraordinary evolution of African achievement, this year’s Mama recognise contemporary artists and trailblazers in a range of music and lifestyle categories including Song of the Year, Video of the Year, Best Collaboration and Personality of the Year. Seventy nominees were revealed, across 13 categories.
The awards ceremony taking place at the Durban International Convention Centre (Durban ICC), KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa on July 18 will be televised live across Africa on MTV Base (DStv channel 322), MTV (DStv channel 130) and BET (DStv channel 129) at 9PM.
Competing in the prestigious Best Male act category are AKA (South Africa), Davido (Nigeria), Diamond (Tanzania) and Sarkodie (Ghana), while female artists making their mark in the Best Female category include Bucie (South Africa), Busiswa (South Africa), Seyi Shay (Nigeria), Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania) and Yemi Alade (Nigeria).
The inspiring cross-cultural creative exchange of African musicians has been measured in the Best Collaboration category, where AKA, Burna Boy, Da LES & JR are competing against Davido featuring Uhuru & DJ Buckz (Nigeria/SA), Toofan & DJ Arafat (Togo/Ivory Coast), Diamond & Iyanya (Kenya/Nigeria), and Stanley Enow & Sarkodie (Cameroon/Ghana).
Top South African diva, Bonang Matheba has been nominated for Personality of the year together with comedian – Trevor Noah and Manchester City/Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure.
The enduring popularity of Hip Hop on the continent has been captured in the hotly contested Best Hip Hop category, where Cassper Nyovest (South Africa) is battling it out with K.O. (South Africa), Olamide (Nigeria), Phyno (Nigeria) and Youssoupha (DRC). Recognising the contribution of new talent on the continent, Best New Act: Transformed Today by Absolut gave nods to nominees from around the continent including, Cassper Nyovest (South Africa), Anna Joyce (Angola), Duncan (South Africa), Patoranking (Nigeria) and Stonebwoy (Ghana).
Nominees for additional categories, including the MTV Base Leadership Award and Best International Act, will be revealed at a later date.
Tickets for the awards ceremony go on sale at Computicket from next week Thursday.
MultiChoice Africa chief executive officer Tim Jacobs congratulated nominees and expressed their company’s commitment to showcasing African talent on their various entertainment platforms.
And the nominees are . . .
Best Male
AKA (South Africa)
Davido (Nigeria)
Diamond (Tanzania)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Best Female
Bucie (South Africa)
Busiswa (South Africa)
Seyi Shay (Nigeria)
Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
Best Group
B4 (Angola)
Beatenberg (South Africa)
Black Motion (South Africa)
P-Square (Nigeria)
Sauti Sol (Kenya)
Best New Act Transformed by Absolut
Anna Joyce (Angola)
Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
Duncan (South Africa)
Patoranking (Nigeria)
Stonebwoy (Ghana)
Best Hip Hop
Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
K.O. (South Africa)
Phyno (Nigeria)
Olamide (Nigeria)
Youssoupha (DRC)
Best Collaboration
AKA, Burna Boy, Da LES & JR: “All Eyes On Me” (SA/Nigeria)
Davido featuring Uhuru & DJ Buckz: “The Sound” (Nigeria/SA)
Diamond & Iyanya: “Bum Bum” (Kenya/Nigeria)
Toofan & DJ Arafat: “Apero Remix” (Togo/Ivory Coast)
Stanley Enow & Sarkodie: “Njama Njama Cow Remix” (Cameroon/Ghana)
Song of the Year
Cassper Nyovest: “Doc Shebeleza” (South Africa)
Euphonik featuring Mpumi: “Busa” (South Africa)
DJ Fisherman & NaakMusiQ featuring DJ Tira, Danger & Dream Team: “Call Out” (South Africa)
KO featuring Kid X: “Caracara” (South Africa)
Lil Kesh Featuring Olamide & Davido: “Shoki Remix” (Nigeria)
Mavins: “Dorobucci” (Nigeria)
Sauti Sol: “Sura Yako” (Kenya)
Toofan: “Gweta” (Togo)
Wizkid: “Show You The Money” (Nigeria)
Yemi Alade: “Johnny” (Nigeria)
Best Live
Big Nuz (South Africa)
Diamond (Tanzania)
Flavour (Nigeria)
Mi Casa (South Africa)
Toofan (Togo)
Video of the Year
“Crazy” – Seyi Shay Featuring Wizkid; Director: Meji Alabi
“Doors” – Prime Circle; Director: Ryan Kruger
“Love You Everyday” – Bebe Cool; Director: Clarence Peters
“Nafukwa” – Riky Rick; Director: Adriaan Louw
“The Sound” – Davido Featuring Uhuru & DJ Buckz; Director: Sesan
Best Pop & Alternative
Fuse ODG (Ghana)
Jeremy Loops (South Africa)
Jimmy Nevis (South Africa)
Nneka (Nigeria)
Prime Circle (South Africa)
Best Francophone
DJ Arafat (Ivory Coast)
Jovi (Cameroon)
Laurette Le Pearle (DRC)
Tour 2 Garde (Ivory Coast)
Toofan (Togo)
Best Lusophone
Ary (Angola)
B4 (Angola)
Nelson Freitas (Cape Verde)
NGA (Angola)
Yuri Da Cunha (Angola)
Personality of the Year
Basketmouth (Nigeria)
Bonang Matheba (South Africa)
OC Ukeje (Nigeria)
Trevor Noah (South Africa)
Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast).
Online Reporter