Kenya’s female artist Wahu won the Best Female Award at the first ever MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain (MAMA) held in Abuja, Nigeria.
The biggest winner on the night was charismatic Nigerian music sensation, D’Banj who took home three MAMA ‘Golden Microphones’ including Best Male, Artist of the Year and Listener’s Choice.
Created by MTV’s African music channel, MTV base, the MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain was conceived as the ultimate celebration of African contemporary music and talent.
Best Video went to Ikechukwu from Nigeria for his video, Wind Am Well, while Alicia Keys won the honours in Best R&B. South African alternative act, Seether, took home the gong for Best Alternative while energetic hip hop outfit Jozi were a popular choice for Best Live.
Best New Act was won by Naeto C from Nigeria while fellow countrymen, P Square, beat off the competition in Best Group.
Speaking during the ceremony Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, MTV Networks Africa said “The first MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain has been an incredible celebration of the music and artists that we support on MTV base in Africa every day. African youth culture and music has a place on the world stage, and I am thrilled that the MAMAs have shone a light on this positive and vibrant aspect of the African continent.”
Speaking about the Awards, Mwambu Wanendeya, Zain Group Communications Director for Africa said, ‘The passion shown by the audience at the show and throughout the concerts in Kinshasa, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Lagos and Abuja has been amazing. Zain is proud to have given people around the world the opportunity to see and hear some of Africa’s most talented musicians.’
Highlights of the star-studded awards show included an electrifying duet between Kelly Rowland and D’Banj.
The most poignant moment of the night came when MTV paid homage to two of Africa’s most beloved and influential music giants including ‘MAMA Africa’, Miriam Makeba, who passed away earlier in November.
Another African music great spotlighted was legendary Afro Beat star Fela Anikulapo Kuti, whose seminal track ‘Army Arrangement’ was performed by his youngest son and standard bearer, Seun Anikulapo Kuti, and Fela’s Egypt 80. Seun Kuti subsequently accepted the inaugural MAMA Legend Award in honour of his late father.
Performers at the MAMAs included 9ice, Asa, Cassette, Seun Anikulapo Kuti & Egypt 80, HHP, Jozi, P Square, Kelly Rowland, D’Banj, Flo Rida, The Game, Jua Cali, Naeto C and Ikechukwu.
The winners of the MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain each received an iconic ‘Golden Microphone’ trophy featuring a retro pop microphone emerging triumphantly from a globe of the world, with the African continent placed triumphantly at the top.
WINNERS SUMMARY
BEST FEMALE
Wahu (Kenya)
BEST MALE
D’Banj (Nigeria)
BEST LIVE PERFORMER
Jozi (South Africa)
BEST GROUP
P Square (Nigeria)
BEST ALTERNATIVE
Seether (South Africa)
BEST HIP-HOP
9ice (Nigeria)
BEST R&B
Alicia Keys (USA)
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
D’Banj (Nigeria)
BEST NEW ACT
Naeto C (Nigeria)
BEST VIDEO
Ikechukwu (Nigeria) – Wind Am Well
LISTENER’S CHOICE AWARD
D’Banj (Nigeria) – ‘Why Me’
MAMAs LEGEND
Fela Anikulapo Kuti
MY VIDEO
Jide Rotilu
