By Frank Kamuntu
Kampala: A total of 52 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) nominees from 15 countries were on Wednesday revealed including self-acclaimed African giant, Burna Boy, ‘Koroba’ crooner Tiwa Savage and ‘Johnny’ singer Yemi Alade in various categories.
READ ALSO: Jubilations As MTV Selects Uganda To Host ‘MTV Africa Music Awards 2021’ Edition
In the Best Male category, Nigerians Burna Boy, Rema and Fireboy DML will face off against South African musos Kabza De Small and Master KG, as well as Tanzanian artist Harmonize, and Innoss’B from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The highly contested Best Female category features fierce female competition and is led by Uganda’s Sheebah, Sho Madjozi and Busiswa from South Africa, Cape Verde’s Soraia Ramos and Simi, Yemi Alade and Tiwa Savage from Nigeria.
Another epic battle of the bands is set to take place between Blaq Diamond; Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa of South Africa; Sauti Sol and Ethic from Kenya; Calema from São Tomé and Príncipe and Tanzania’s Rostam in the Best Group category. The Artist of the Year also has some stiff competition, namely Burna Boy, Davido, Tiwa Savage and Wizkid from Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe’S Calema, Diamond Platnumz from Tanzania and South Africa’s Master KG.
Two new categories have been announced for the MAMA Kampala 2021. The first is the exciting entrant of the Best Ugandan Act, which recognises the host country’s star and rising talent. The nominees include Sheebah, Bebe Cool, John Blaq, Vinka, Daddy Andre, and Spice Diana. The second new category inspired as a reflection of the unique reality of the music scene in 2020 is the Alone Together: Best Lockdown Performance.
Yemi Alade also got a nod in the Best Lockdown Performance (Alone Together) category. The category recognises music acts who offered digital performances during the lockdown period.
Niniola, who is nominated in this category, shares a spot with Busiswa for their performance at the virtual Africa Day Benefit Concert.
The second round of nominations, including Best Collaboration, Best International, Personality of the Year, Best Alternative Act, Best Fan Base Award and Song of the year will be revealed from January 5 2021, on MTV Base.
Other Nigerians nominated in the awards include Omah Lay and Tems. Both artists fetched a nod in the Best Breakthrough Act category.
Voting for MAMA KAMPALA 2021 opens at 22.00 CAT on Wednesday 9 December at www.mtvmama.com and affiliated Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts. Voting Ts and Cs are available at www.mtvmama.com.
The MTV Africa Music Awards Kampala 2021 will be broadcast on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and MTV Africa (DStv Channel 130) on 20 February 2021. The show will also be aired on MTV channels across multiple continents as a one-hour MAMA-themed MTV World Stage feature.
