The MTV Africa Music Awards with Airtel (also known as the MAMAs) were established in 2008 by MTV Networks Africa to celebrate the most popular music in Africa.

History[edit]

Originally African artists were awarded an MTV Europe Music Award voted by MTV base Africa viewers for Best African artist in the 2006 and 2007^[1] MTV Europe Music Awards. The first awards show was held at the Velodrome, Abuja in Nigeria on 22 November 2008 and was broadcast around the world on November 29 in conjunction with Airtel and local television channels in Africa.^[2] The show was hosted by Trevor Nelson.^[3] The awards were preceded by four concerts celebrating the musicians nominated for the awards. There were concerts featuring international and local nominees, which took place in Johanesburg, South Africa on November 5, Nairobi, Kenya on November 9, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on November 13 and Lagos, Nigeria on November 15, 2008.^[4] The Award categories included Artist of the Year, Best Alternative, Best Female, Best Group, Best Hip-Hop, Best Live Performance, Best Male, Best New Act, Best R&B, Video of the Year and the MY Video Award which allows viewers to make their own version of a music video. The MTV Africa Music Awards with Airtel was conceived and created by the SVP and MD of the Network in Africa, Alex Okosi (the man behind the launch of MTV into Africa in 2005)^[5] The 2009 event was hosted by Nairobi, Kenya at the Moi International Sports Centre, On the 10th of October 2009 and will Broadcast on the 17th of October 2009 on MTV base Africa.^[6] The 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards with Airtel saw MTV change some award categories to better reflect the music of the entire continent, hence creating awards for Best Anglophone, Best Lusophone and Best Francophone artists. The 2010 Awards will take place at the Eko Expo Hall, Lagos on 11 December 2010 and will broadcast around the world on MTV media platforms including MTV base (DStv Channel 322)and partner stations in Africa.

Host Cities[edit]

Year	Country	Host city	Venue	Host(s)
2008	Nigeria	Abuja	Velodrome	Trevor Nelson
2009	Kenya	Nairobi	Moi International Sports Centre	Wyclef Jean
2010	Nigeria	Lagos	Eko Expo Hall	Eve

Current Award Categories[edit]

• Artist of the Year
• Best Male
• Best Female
• Best Group
• Best Video
• Song of the Year
• Best Anglophone
• Best Francophone
• Best Lusophone
• Brand:New
• Best International
• MAMA Legend
• Best Performance

Past Award winners[edit]

2008[edit]

• Artist of the Year: D’Banj
• Best Video: Ikechukwu — "Wind Am Well"
• Best Female: Wahu
• Best Male: D’Banj
• Best Group: P-Square
• Best New Act: Naeto C
• Best Alternative: Seether
• Best Hip-Hop: 9ice
• Best R&B: Alicia Keys
• Best Live Performer: Jozi
• Listener's choice award: D’Banj — "Why Me"
• MAMA legend award: Fela Kuti
• My Video: Jide Rotilu, Adetoro Rotilu, Razor BleeG

2009[edit]

• Artist of the Year: D'banj
• Best Video: HHP — "Mpitse"
• Best Female: Amani
• Best Male: Nameless
• Best Group: P-Square
• Best New Act: M.I.
• Best Alternative: Zebra & Giraffe
• Best Hip Hop: M.I.
• Best R&B: 2face Idibia
• Best Live Performer: Samini
• Listener's Choice: Nameless — "Sunshine"
• My Video: Patricke-Stevie Moungondo
• Legend Award: Lucky Dube

2010[edit]

• Best Anglophone – Daddy Owen (Kenya)
• Best Francophone – Fally Ipupa (DRC)
• Best Lusophone – Cabo Snoop (Angola)
• Artist of the Year – 2Face (Nigeria)
• Best Female – Sasha (Nigeria)
• Best Male – 2Face (Nigeria)
• Best Video – Fally Ipupa (DRC): “Sexy Dance”
• Best Group – P-Square (Nigeria)
• Brand New Act - Mo’Cheddah (Nigeria)
• Best Performance – Big Nuz (South Africa)
• Song of the Year – Liquideep (South Africa): “Fairytale”
• MAMA Legend – Miriam Makeba (South Africa)
• Best International – Eminem (USA)

Websites[edit]

• MTV Africa Music Awards
• Website
• MAMAs Winners & Photos

References[edit]