Celebrating the extraordinary evolution of African achievement, this year’s MAMA recognises 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.
A total of 70 nominees were revealed at the event, across 13 different categories. Nominees for additional categories, including the MTV Base Leadership Award and Best International Act, will be revealed at a later date.
Local stars will go head-to-head with their peers from across the continent.
Cassper Nyovest leads the pack on home soil, scooping three nominations for Best Newcomer, Best Hip-Hop track and Best Song of the Year.
Cassper and AKA were followed closely by K.O, who banked two nominations in the Song of the Year and Best Hip-Hop categories.
Even though AKA walked away with nominations in the Best Male and Best Collaboration categories – he quickly became a talking point for being ‘snubbed’ in the best hip-hop category.
Best Live category features Big Nuz (South Africa), Diamond (Tanzania), Flavour (Nigeria), Mi Casa (South Africa) and Toofan (Togo).
Immediately, after the announcement Mo from Mi Casa, told this reporter they had to live because they had to catch an early morning flight to Angola, today.
Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, VIMN Africa, says: “As Viacom International Media Networks celebrates its first 10 years in Africa, we are thrilled to pay tribute to the dynamism, creativity and passion of all the MAMA 2015 nominees.
Applauding music and achievement all over the continent, the MAMA recognises the contribution of both enduring icons on the African music scene, and new and emerging talents of the future.”
Personality of the Year category nominees features Daily Show host Trevor Noah, Basketmouth, Bonang Matheba- South Africans) actor O.C. Ukeje (Nigeria) and Manchester City/Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast).
Desmond Golding, Head of Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs, KwaZulu-Natal Province –commented: “These nominations mark a significant milestone to the MAMA, which KwaZulu-Natal sees as the linchpin to deepening tourism, investment and talent.”
Entering its fifth edition the awards take place at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Center, Durban on July 18.
For full nominations list go to: www.mtvbase.com or http://mama.mtv.com
