MTV Base Africa has released the list of nominees for MAMAs 2021 and twelve Nigerian music heavyweights including newbies were nominated for the awards.
The 2021 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) will be held in Kampala, Uganda on 20th February 2021 in a virtual setup that will be broadcast live on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and MTV (DStv Channel 130).
The awards nominees from 15 countries were revealed in 10 music categories by MTV Base on Wedenesday evening via their social media account.
Talented African musicians nominated for ‘Artist of the Year” includes Burna Boy, Busiswa, Davido, Diamond Platnumz, Innoss’B, Kabza De Small, John Blaq, Master KG, Suspect 95, Sheebah, Soraia Ramos, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade and WizKid.
Some of the above Nigerian singer were also nominated for “Best Male and Female” acts alongside Fireboy DML, Rema, Niniola and Simi. While newbies, Omah Lay and Tems were nominated as “Breakthrough Act”.
Below is the full list of the 2021 #MTVMAMA nominees and their respective categories:
Best Female
- Simi (Nigeria)
- Sheebah (Uganda)
- Sho Madjozi (South Africa)
- Busiswa (South Africa)
- Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
- Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
- Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
Best Male
- Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Innoss’B (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- Kabza De Small (South Africa)
- Harmonize (Tanzania)
- Fireboy DML (Nigeria)
- Master KG (South Africa)
- Rema (Nigeria)
Best Group
- Blaq Diamond (South Africa)
- Sauti Sol (Kenya)
- Kabza De Small / DJ Maphorisa (South Africa)
- Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe)
- Ethic (Kenya)
- Rostam (Tanzania)
Artist of the Year
- Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe)
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Master KG (South Africa)
- Davido (Nigeria)
- Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
- Wizkid (Nigeria)
Best Breakthrough Act
- Elaine (South Africa)
- Tems (Nigeria)
- Omah Lay (Nigeria)
- Zuchu (Tanzania)
- John Blaq (Uganda)
- Sha Sha (Zimbabwe)
- Focalistic (South Africa)
Best Hip Hop
- Nasty C (South Africa)
- Suspect 95 (Cote d’Ivoire)
- Khaligraph Jones (Kenya)
- Kwesi Arthur (Ghana)
- NGA (Angola)
- OMG (Senegal)
Best Ugandan Act
- Sheebah
- Bebe Cool
- John Blaq
- Vinka
- Daddy Andre
- Spice Diana
Best Lusophone Act
- Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe)
- Preto Show (Angola)
- Anna Joyce (Angola)
- Mr Bow (Mozambique)
- Nelson Freitas (Cape Verde)
- Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
Best Francophone Act
- Innoss’B (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- Suspect 95 (Cote d’Ivoire)
- Dip Doundou Guiss (Senegal)
- Stanley Enow (Cameroon)
- Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- Gaz Mawete (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Alone Together: Best Lockdown Performance
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) – Africa Day Benefit Concert
- Black Motion (South Africa) – Red Bull Rendezvous
- Niniola ft Busiswa (Nigeria / SA) – Africa Day Benefit Concert
- Singuila (Congo) – DCDR Series
- AKA (South Africa) – AKA TV
- Yemi Alade (Nigeria) – Poverty (live session)
(The nominees show repeats on Thursday, 10th December at 21:00 WAT on MTV Base ROA (DStv ) and at 16:00 CAT on Saturday, 12th December on MTV Base.)
Meanwhile, Wizkid and Burna Boy have won the “Best African Act” and “Best International Act” at the 2020 Music of Black Origin (MOBO) awards.