From West Africans winning big to complaints of the show’s lack of African hosts, we take a look at this weekend’s MTV Mamas, writes Sthembiso Sithole.
The MTV Africa Music Awards (Mamas) held at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban on Saturday for the second time, lived up to expectations. It was a big night for Nigeria and South Africa.
Let’s take a look at some of the highlights from the red carpet, host, winners and performances.
West Africa takes the cup
Seven of the 17 categories of the Mamas went to artists such as Mavins who walked away with the Song of the Year award for Dorobucci with Davido and Yemi Alade winning the Best Male and Best Female artists awards.
Nigerian superstars, twin Brothers Peter and Paul Okoye, popularly known as P-Square were named Artist of the Decade. The non-voting category was created to recognise hard working artists who have been on top of the game for a long time when it comes to African music. P-Square also won the Best Group award, beating South Africa’s house sensations, Beatenberg, Kenya’s power musicians and Sauti Sol.
Nigeria’s singer-songwriter D’Banj won the Mama Evolution award. Winning the award might be one of the highlights, but the kiss from TV and radio personality Bonang Matheba stole the show. Matheba, who was wearing a red dress, stood up and ended rumours of her affair with D’Banj, when she kissed the musician.
SA hip hop artists bag awards
Cassper Nyovest won in the Best Hip Hop category. Nyovest, who was also nominated for Best Newcomer and Best Song of the Year, last week told the Mail & Guardian that he has dreamed of winning at the awards. Nyovest made a grand entrance with his girlfriend Boity Thulo on the red carpet earlier in the evening. (See photo above)
The pair recently made headlines after reports that Nyovest, born-Refiloe Phoolo, and TV presenter Thulo are engaged. On the red carpet, the Club 808 presenter told the M&G that, “[Magazine] covers don’t always have to be about the negative stuff. If there is an opportunity to celebrate happiness and love, then it must be done all the time.”
Thulo added that she came to the Mamas to support Nyovest. “I have been watching him for the past weeks practicing, rehearsing. He has been working so hard. I think it is going to be amazing.”
Other South African winners were Riky Rick, Bucie and AKA who won Best Collaboration for All Eyes On Me featuring Burnaboy, Da Les and JR. AKA thanked his family for supporting him.
See full report by Sthembiso Sithole in the Mail & Guardian
