DJ Khaled Set To Host The 2021 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) As Wizkid, Khaligraph Jones And Other Artists Lead Nomination Lists

The MTV Africa Music Awards - MAMAs - are back again!

After going on a four year hiatus since 2016, the MAMAs are returning in an even bigger way.If one is to consider the most acclaimed music awards on the African continent, the MAMAs could probably take the top spot alongside the African Music Awards (AFRIMA). 

The MAMAs are awarded to musicians and trailblazers instilling a positive impact on African music and youth culture. The event also features thrilling and vibrant performances from not only African but also international artists.

 

The show was set to be held in Kampala, Uganda on 20th February, but has been postponed until further notice. (Let's hope it's gonna be held soon) 

And here's another one: multi-platinum selling DJ and music producer DJ Khaled shall be hosting the show from his home in Miami, USA in sync with other co-hosts in Africa.

Grammy award winning DJ, music producer and record executive DJ Khaled will be hosting the 2021 MAMAs. 
[© @djkhaled]

This year's show is set to award personalities in a total of 20 nomination categories. Five new  nomination categories have also been introduced this year including : MAMA Generation Change Award - awarded to young change makers in the continent -, Best Fan Base, Alone Together Best Lockdown Performance, Best Ugandan Act and Personality of the Year.

The 7th MAMAs are heading to Kampala, Uganda this year. 
[© @mtvmamas]

The selection period for the nominees ran from 1st October 2019 to 1st October 2020. I can say that the nominations are a perfect face of the continent as the nominees are drawn from different countries and music genres in the motherland. Here are some of the nomination categories :

1. Best Collaboration

These bangers have been anthems in the continent and the world and they really portray the power of collaboration in music :

Shekere - Yemi Alade and Angelique Kidjo

Jerusalema Remix - Master KG, Nomcebo and Burna                                            Boy

"Jerusalema" has been quite the sensation around the world. 
[© @masterkgsa]

Smile - Wizkid ft. H.E.R

Monsters You Made - Burna Boy and Chris Martin

Already - Beyoncé, Shatta Wale and Major Lazer

2. Artist of the Year 

This is probably one of the most coveted awards of the night and I feel these artists really deserve the shot:

Burna Boy (Nigeria) 

Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) 

Master KG - (South Africa) 

Davido (Nigeria) 

Tiwa Savage (Nigeria) 

The "African Giant" has really taken Africa's music industry to greater heights. 
[© @burnaboygram]

Wizkid (Nigeria) 

Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe) 

3. Best Female 

Talk about Divas and these great female artists fit in so perfectly that one would be split between awarding all of them and settling for the best in the group :

Sho Madjozi (South Africa) 

Simi (Nigeria) 

Yemi Alade (Nigeria) 

Busiswa (South Africa) 

You can't talk about Girl Power and miss to include Simi. 
[© @simplysimi]

Tiwa Savage (Nigeria) 

Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde) 

Sheebah (Uganda) 

4.Best Male

Here are male male Alphas that have been rocking the soundwaves and I think this category is gonna be  one the tightest races during this year's event :

Burna Boy (Nigeria) 

Harmonize (Tanzania) 

Inoss'B (DRC) 

Fireboy DML (Nigeria) 

Fireboy DML has created such a wave in the African music industry in the past few years. 
[© @fireboydml]

Kabza De Small (South Africa) 

Master KG (South Africa) 

Rema (Nigeria) 

5.Best Group

There is nothing as powerful as harmony and music that comes from a group of great musicians and I believe the following have really outdone themselves to get nominated in this category :

Sauti Sol (Kenya) 

Ethic (Kenya) 

Rostam (Tanzania) 

Sauti Sol, one of the most successful boy bands in Africa. 
[© @sautisol]

Blaq Diamond (South Africa) 

Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe) 

Kabza De Small/DJ Maphorisa (South Africa) 

6. Best Hip-Hop 

Talk about spitting bars on bars and these rappers have really been kicking it:

Khaligraph Jones (Kenya) 

Nasty C (South Africa) 

Kwesi Arthur (Ghana) 

Kwesi Arthur is now one of the fastest rising rappers in the continent. 
[© @kwesiarthur_]

Suspect 95 (Cote d'Ivoire) 

NGA (Angola) 

OMG (Senegal) 

7. Best International Act

The MAMAs also strive to recognize international artists who do not hail from Africa but have had a great impact on the musi scene in the continent and worldwide :

The Weeknd (Canada) 

Da Baby (US) 

Drake (Canada) 

Megan Thee Stallion (US) 

The "Savage" hitmaker is also up for a MAMA. 
[© @theestallion]

DJ Khaled (US) 

Beyoncé (US) 

Performances and Broadcast of the Show 

This year's show will also feature vibrant performances from great artists including Khaligraph Jones, Wizkid, Nasty C, Calema, Diamond Platnumz, Suspect 95 and Soraia Ramos. Sheebah Karungi will also be making her debut performance on the MAMAs stage this year. 

I don't think you wanna miss this! 

Tiwa Savage after winning a MAMA back in 2014.
[© @mtvmamas]

The show will be broadcasted live on MTV (Dstv Channel 130) and MTV Base (Dstv Channel 322).And here's the best part: the show will also be aired as a repeat on BET Africa, BET International and all MTV Channels around the world in over 180 countries! So that means you can catch the show no matter where you'll be on 20th February. 

A bit of MAMAs History 

The MTV African Music Awards were established back in 2008 and have continued to be a sensation in the continent and the world as a whole. The 2008 and 2010 shows were held in Abuja and Lagos respectively. The 2009 show was held in Nairobi. 

However, the show went on a hiatus but returned in 2014.The 2014,2015 and 2016 shows were all held in South Africa in Durban and Johannesburg respectively. 

Diamond Platnumz proves that dreams are valid😂
[© @mtvmamas]

The show took a hiatus again in 2016 only for them to come back in 2021. My only hope is that the show is gonna stay in perpetuity and continue recognizing excellence in the rich and blessed African continent. 

My Take on This Year's Show 

I can say that I'm really impressed by this year's nominations and theme of the show. 

From the nomination list, you can actually see that the nominees are drawn from about every corner of Africa. I can also laud MTV for nominating new artists in some of the biggest categories. Take for example, the Best Hip-Hop Category would typically be filled by veteran rappers like Sarkodie, AKA and the likes but MTV has really strived to include new rappers who are also making a great impact in the continent like Suspect 95 and Kwesi Arthur. 

Suspect 95,the greatly acclaimed new rapper from Cote d'Ivoire. 
[© @suspect95_] 

I also find MTV's idea of broadcasting the show worldwide as an excellent move as Africa's music and culture is going to be experienced by multitudes of people around the world,making not only the artists proud but also the African music industry on a high. 

Those are MY thoughts...what about YOURS? 

Let me know what your thoughts are on this year's MAMAs in the comment section below! 

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