The awards show was launched in 2008. It last took place in 2010 in Lagos, Nigeria, with Eve as the host.
While it's primarily a music awards show, organizers say the MAMAs reflect the ambition of MTV Base parent company Viacom and its Viacom International Media Networks Africa arm to support African contemporary artists and musicians. The goal is to present a positive, upbeat and modern image of Africa to Western countries and to inspire young Africans around the world.
Key awards categories include best male artist, best female artist, best collaboration, video of the year, song of the year, personality of the year, and the MTV Base leadership award.
The show will also feature performances from Trey Songz, Miguel and French Montana.
A concert featuring top DJs and nominees from the MAMAs in Lagos on May 30 will cap a pre-show, pan-African music tour, dubbed "Road to MAMA," which started in Tanzania and is ending in South Africa.
This year’s MAMA nominees include Big Nuz (South Africa), Mafikizolo (South Africa), Mi Casa (South Africa), P-Square (Nigeria), Sauti Sol (Kenya,) Anselmo Ralph (Angola), Davido (Nigeria), Diamond (Tanzania), Donald (South Africa), Wizkid (Nigeria), Arielle T (Gabon), Chidinma (Nigeria), DJ Cndo (South Africa), Efya (Ghana) and Tiwa Savage (Nigeria).
- This article was originally published on THR.com.
