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The 2015 MTV Africa Music Awards (Mamas)
will once again invade KwaZulu-Natal with the biggest awards show on the continent. In addition to the almost 20 categories, MTV has announced a new category, called the Mama Evolution Award.
Tim Horwood, channel director at MTV Base, says: “The award honours established artists who have made an indelible mark on African and global music culture, taken African music to new territories around the world, pushed the boundaries of creativity and shaped the soundscape of contemporary Africa.”
Ten artists have been short-listed. Confirming the musical dominance of west Africa, Nigeria leads with four artists. South Africa follows with two, while Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Angola each have one.
They are 2face Idibia, P-Square, Asa and D’Banj from Nigeria; Anselmo Ralph from Angola; Chameleone from Uganda; Black Coffee and HHP from South Africa; and Samini from Ghana. HHP told #Trending: “I was surprised because there are so few concepts that honour contemporary musicians for their work, so it’s an honour and humbling ... It’s not easy coming from a small town like Mafikeng and trying to catapult it and the sound to the world stage.”
The Motswako artist is celebrating 15 years in the industry this year.
“There have been so many before me, like Bafihlile, Stoan Seete and Crowded Crew, but what I think our contribution has been is in taking Setswana and commercialising it, and making it appealing to other people.”
Also celebrating a milestone this year is Nigeria’s Kokomaster D’Banj, who celebrates the 10th anniversary of his career and is largely considered the artist Afrobeats legend 2face passed the baton to. He signed to Kanye West’s Good Music eight years ago and this year performed with the likes of Usher, Fally Ipupa and Mary J Blige.
South Africa’s DJ Nkosinathi “Black Coffee” Maphumulo has taken our House music to all corners of the globe and is currently on a European tour.
Although it’s disappointing that there aren’t more women nominated, it is great to see Nigeria’s Asa on the list, as she has had a massive career since breaking out in late 2007.
On the theme of evolution, HHP says: “When we started, it was very orthodox. You only did music, whatever it was, a certain way ... and now we are fusing kwaito, choral music, rock...
“Now genres aren’t silos. Rather, they are a palette and artists aren’t afraid to pick a colour and use different shades.”
The winner of the Evolution award will be decided jointly by MTV Base, as well as music fans voting online and via Twitter and Instagram. They’ll be voting at mama.mtv.com, or using the hashtag #Evolution on Twitter or Instagram, followed by the artist’s name – for example, #EvolutionHHP.
. The Mamas will be broadcast live throughout Africa on MTV Base (DStv channel 322), MTV (DStv channel 130) and BET(DStv channel 129) on Saturday, July 18, at 9pm
. Tickets are on sale at Computicket for R267 (standing)
. Want to attend the Mamas? Turn to page 11 for your chance to win tickets to this year’s show in Durban
