Musicians from Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya have dominated the nominations for this year's MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) to be held on 10 October 2009 at the Indoor auditorium, Moi International Sports Centre, Nairobi, Kenya.
South Africa and Nigerian artists received an incredible 15 nominations while Kenya achieved 6 nominations – the best tally yet for the East African nation, which will be defending the Best Female Artist Category it scooped last year courtesy of Wahu Mathenge.
Nigerian music royalty and R&B superstar 2Face achieved the highest number of nods from the MAMA academy including nominations for Best Male, Artist of the Year, Best Video and Best R&B. Other male artists who got the most nods were South Africa's HHP, Kenya's Nameless and fellow Nigerian D'Banj – who are each nominated in three categories.
South Africa Afro Soul songbird Lira, who is scheduled to perform at the awards, topped the list of female nominees, earning two nods for Best Female and Artist of the Year. Other contenders in a strong Best Female line-up include Kel (Nigeria), Amani (Kenya), Zamajobe (South Africa) and Lizha James (Mozambique).
Kenya's neighbours in the East Africa region, Uganda and Tanzania also made it to the list contributing five nominations between them.
Five US artists and one British band were also nominated. They included Akon, Beyonce, Kanye West, Green Day, Jay-Z and Coldplay.
MTV and Zain have signed up Haitian-born urban music legend, artist, musician, writer, producer and hip-hop rebel Wyclef Jean as the host of the 2009 MAMA Awards. Wyclef follows in the footsteps of renowned BBC broadcaster and DJ Trevor Nelson who hosted the first annual MTV Africa Music Awards held at Abuja's Velodrome stadium, Nigeria in 2008.
Inaugurated in 2008, the awards aims to champion and celebrate the passion, impact and creativity of Africa's best contemporary music artists.
There will be performances by Wyclef Jean, Lira, M.I., Samini and Wahu. The winners will be unveiled on 10 October 2009 at the Indoor Arena, Moi International Sports Centre, Nairobi, Kenya.
The nominations for the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain are:
Best Male
- 2 Face (Nigeria)
- HHP (South Africa)
- D'Banj (Nigeria)
- Nameless (Kenya)
- Da L.E.S. (South Africa)
Best New Act
- M.I. (Nigeria)
- Shaa (Tanzania)
- STL (Kenya)
- Bigiano (Nigeria)
- Rhythmic Elements (South Africa)
Best Hip Hop
- M.I. (Nigeria)
- A.Y. (Tanzania)
- Zulu Boy (South Africa)
- Jay-Z (USA)
- Kanye West (USA)
Best Female
- Kel (Nigeria)
- Amani (Kenya)
- Lira (South Africa)
- Zamajobe (South Africa)
- Lizha James (Mozambique)
Best Performer
- P-Square (Nigeria)
- D'Banj (Nigeria)
- Samini (Ghana)
- Nameless (Kenya)
- Blu*3 (Uganda)
Best R&B
- 2 Face (Nigeria)
- Darey Art Alade (Nigeria)
- Loyiso (South Africa)
- Beyoncé (USA)
- Akon (USA)
Best Group
- P-Square (Nigeria)
- Blu*3 (Uganda)
- Gang of Instrumentals (South Africa)
- Mo Hits Allstars (Nigeria)
- Gal Level (Namibia)
Artist of The Year
- 2 Face (Nigeria)
- D'banj (Nigeria)
- Lira (South Africa)
- HHP (South Africa)
- Nameless (Kenya)
Best Alternative
- Green Day (USA)
- Coldplay (UK)
- Cassette (South Africa)
- Zebra & Giraffe (South Africa)
- Aking (South Africa)
Best Video
- 2Face – Enter The Place (Nigeria)
- XOD – I Want You Back (Uganda)
- HHP – Mpitse (South Africa)
- Da L.E.S. – We on Fire (South Africa)
- Wahu ft Bobi Wine – Little Things You Do (Kenya
MORE NEWS, UPDATES, PICTURES AND WINNERS TO FOLLOW