MTV, Zain Announce Winners of MAMA

MTV and Zain have announced winners at the first ever MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA), which rocked the city of Abuja recently.
MTV Africa Music Awards was created by MTV Base and sponsored by Zain, as a way of celebrating African contemporary music and talent.
According to Zain, the biggest winner at the Awards was the Nigerian music sensation, D’Banj who carted off three MAMA “Golden Microphones” in the Best Male, Artiste of the Year and Listeners’ Choice categories.
Kenya’s songbird, Wahu bagged Best Female award while Alicia Keys won the honours in Best R&B category.
Nigeria’s Ikechukwu clinched the Best Video award for his music video – Wind Am Well; Best New Act went to Naeto C, while P Square beat off the competition in Best Group.
South African alternative act, Seether won the awards for Best Alternative, while the energetic hip-hop group, Jozi emerged tops in the Best Live category.
Alex Okosi, senior vice president/MD of MTV Networks Africa who commented on the event 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 everyday. 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.”
“The passion shown by the audience at the show and throughout the concerts in Kinshasa, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Lagos and Abuja has been amazing,” observed Mwambu Wanendeya, communications director for Africa, Zain Group.
“Zain is proud to have given people around the world the opportunity to see and hear some of Africa’s most talented musician,” he added.
Highlights of the star-studded event included an electrifying duet between Kelly Rowland of the defunct Destiny Child and D’Banj; dance-off between Nigerian R&B sensation, P Square and Jozi; a heartfelt solo from soul crooner, Asa and show-stopping performances by Flo Rida and The Game.
Another moment at the event was when MTV paid homage to two of Africa’s greatest and most beloved influential music giants, Miriam Makeba who passed away recently and Afro Beat star, Late Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
Another icing on the cake was the performance of Fela’s seminal track, “Army Arrangement” by his son, Seun and Fela Egypt 80 band, who accepted the Award in honour of his late father.
Celebrated host, Trevor Nelson, maintained a firm hand on the wheel, continuing MTV Awards’ tradition by engaging in a number of humorous skits, including an exchange with Nigerian soccer superstar, Jay Jay Okocha, while donning different costumes, including traditional Nigerian ones tailored specially for him.