Last year eThekweni (Durban) hosted the awards, and the following today’s announcement and plans, the game has been upped.
Since launching in 2008, only the two abovementioned cities in SA have had the luxury to play host.
MAMAs 2016, is about celebrating African and international talent and achievement, and rewards musicians and achievers who have made the most impact on African music and youth culture over the previous year.
At the surprise announcement today at the packed Emoyeni Restaurant, Parktown, the Joburg City was unveiled as the host city.
Interestingly, 17 categories, including Best Male, Best Female, Best Song and Best Collaboration by Absolut- contribution of artists from Portuguese and French-speaking Africa will also be recognised in the Best Lusophone and Best Francophone categories, were announced
Additional categories include the Africa Re-Imagined Award and Personality of the Year.
Nabintu Petsana, Head of Joburg Tourism, says: “We are thrilled to welcome MAMA 2016 to Joburg for the first time, and look forward to hosting this extraordinary cultural experience which will play a key part in enhancing Joburg’s profile on the international stage.
In line with Joburg Tourism’s Domestic Tourism Awareness Campaign [#Welcome2Jozi] which encourages locals to go the extra mile in showing all our visitors a good time, this event provides an ideal opportunity to remind Joburgers that ‘Leisure is Our Tourism Business’, contributing significantly to our local economy.”
“We are very excited and proud to be collaborating with the MTV Africa MusicAwards once again for the ultimate showcase in African talent; ABSOLUT sets itself apart by challenging conventions and pushing boundaries of contemporary culture through creative collaborations with cutting-edge artists.
This year we will see the brand celebrating artists who are original and aspire to greater heights through the power of collaboration. The Best Collaboration Award by Absolut honours the African musicians, achievers and trailblazers who source add, curate and collaborate the music we love. Absolut is ready to rock Jozi,” says Melanie Campbell, Head of Marketing: White Spirits and Rum, Pernod-Ricard.
Cool as a cucumber Brand Ambassador for ABSOLUT- Kuli Chana says he looks forward to an experience never seen before.
Asked what were his expectations on the awards and collabs, the Motswako fame star said “watch the space its gonna epic”. The nominees will be revealed in September.
In celebrating the pan-African scope of the MAMA, the awards will encompass two Road to MAMAs events featuring MAMA nominees and superstar DJs, to be held in Durban and Lagos.
Another element of MAMA 2016 will be a music industry workshop for aspiring musicians, held on the day prior to the main ceremony on October 21.
MAMA 2016 Award Categories
1. Best Male
2. Best Female
3. Best Group
4. Best New Act
5. Best Live Act
6. Best Francophone
7. Best Lusophone
8. Best Pop/Alternative
9. Best Hip Hop
10. Best International
11. Legend Award
12. Best Collaboration in association with Absolut
13. Video of the Year
14. Song of the Year
15. Artist of the Year
16. Personality of the Year
17. MTV Base Africa Re-Imagined Award
The MAMAs will broadcast live on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and MTV (DStv Channel 130), respectively.
