Nigeria dominates MTV awards

Melissa Mpofu Showbiz Editor
P-Square proved their mettle at the MTV Africa Music Awards (Mamas) at the weekend when they scooped two awards at a ceremony where Nigerians maintained their dominance. The duo of Peter and Paul Okoye which has been in the music industry for 18 years was honoured for its contribution to the music industry and left the Durban ICC arena with Best Group and Artiste of the Decade trophies.

Nigeria won seven awards – ‘Best Male Act’, ‘Best Female Act’, ‘Evolution Award’, ‘Best New Act’, ‘Song of the Year’, ‘Collaboration of the year’, ‘Best Group’ by Davido, Yemi Alade, D’Banj, Patoranking, Mavins, AKA and Burna Boy, P-Square respectively. They were followed by South Africa which scooped five awards. Tanzania, Cote d’Ivoire, Angola and America each had one.

Accepting their Artistes of the Decade award, P-Square’s Paul said: “We’re so proud, we started from the bottom, now we’re here. This award is for everybody, especially up-and-coming artistes, if you want to stay long in this game, make sure you bring out your best.”

Mzansi’s prince of rap, AKA, bagged Best Collaboration for his hit song All Eyes On Me, featuring Nigerian superstar Burna Boy, SA’s Da Les and JR. An anxious Cassper Nyovest took home the Best Hip Hop award. Riky Rick won the Best Video for Nafukwa and Nigeria’s Davido was crowned Best Male.

Comedian Trevor Noah received the Personality of the Year award which Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Professor Jonathan Moyo felt should have been won by a person in the music industry.

“Giving Noah the Personality of the year award is like awarding Miss Personality at Miss World to a non-contestant,” he tweeted.

America’s Nicki Minaj received the Best International Recognition award on a night where Ne-Yo and Jhene Aiko entertained guests.

The princess of house, Bucie, who took to the stage with legendary Nigerian star 2Face, BlackMotion, and Best Female winner Yemi Alade lit up the awards stage which had been warmed up by an electrifying performance by NaakMusiQ and DJ Tira.

But it was lovers Bonang Matheba and D’Banj, Cassper Nyovest and Boity Thulo who stole the show with their public displays of affection. When D’Banj was announced as winner of the Mama Evolution award, a clearly confused Bonang was captured on television seemingly uncertain as to whether to kiss the Nigerian Kokomaster or not. She, after a few seconds, kissed him, confirming that the two are an item.

Boity and Nyovest who recently went public with their affair could not be outdone as the former stole any opportunity presented to her to shout out her man’s name, calling him the best artiste, known for receiving the most awards.

An elated Nyovest posted on his Facebook account: “20 awards with one album, that’s no joke man!! Most of these awards are through votes so it’s your support, thank you so much. Love you!!” before chanting his ‘God is good all the time’ statement.

However, critics say the music awards meant to celebrate and honour ‘African artistes’ seemed to have been reduced to a celebration of South Africa, Nigeria and America, leaving one wondering if other African countries are not producing quality music.

From the host of the night – American Anthony Anderson to the nominated artistes and performers who mostly comprised Nigeria and South Africa, the awards proved to be a mere celebration of South Africa, Nigeria and America with little representation of other African artistes. Zimbabwe was among the African countries which were not represented at the awards, save for the representation from radio personalities, Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa, Itai Mutinhiri and MisRed.

Professor Moyo said: “We need to first have a music industry in Zimbabwe which compares with what obtains in SA, Nigeria, Kenya and Angola.”

“The talent is there, but no industry. No proper studios, equipment, songwriters, no producers, distributors, etc.”

And the winners are:

Best Female: Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

Best Male: Davido (Nigeria)

Best Group: P-Square (Nigeria)

Best New Act Transformed by Absolut: Patoranking (Nigeria)

Best Hip Hop artiste: Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)

Best Collaboration: AKA, Burna Boy, Da LES & JR: “All Eyes On Me” (SA/Nigeria)

Song of the Year: Mavins: “Dorobucci” (Nigeria)

Best Live: Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

Video of the Year: “Nafukwa”– Riky Rick; Director: Adriaan Louw