27th August, 2010
MTV Network Africa (MTNA) and Bharti Airtel, have confirmed that they will be holding the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards, MAMA, in Lagos, South West Nigeria.
MTVNA’s jubilant celebration of contemporary African music and creativity will be held at the Eko Expo Hall, Lagos on 11 December, 2010, focusing the spotlight on Africa’s most outstanding musicians, from the heart of one of the continent’s most vibrant cities.
The 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards with Airtel will take the form of a stunning, live music event and global television spectacular, featuring performances from contemporary African international music giants and hosted by a major music celebrity, while artistes from around the continent will battle to win a coveted MAMA trophy in one of 12 award categories including Best Male, Best Female, Best Video, Best Group, Artiste of the Year, Best Lusophone Act, Best Anglophone Act, Best Francophone Act, Song of the Year, Brand New Act, Best International Act and MAMA Legend.
Telecommunications giant, Airtel, comes on board as the headline sponsor of the MTV Africa Music Awards 2010, signaling the firm’s profound commitment to African music and youth culture, following its purchase of Zain Africa’s business operations earlier this year.
The sponsorship was announced by Andre Beyers, Chief Marketing Officer, Airtel Africa and Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, MTV Networks Africa.
Commenting, Okosi said: “we are thrilled to be in partnership with Airtel to bring the MTV Africa Music Awards to Lagos for the first time and look forward to delivering the most exciting MAMA.
The awards will celebrate contemporary African and international genres loved by the youth and young adults across sub-Saharan Africa, including hip hop, hip life, R&B, Afro pop, Afro house, kwaito, boomba, bongo flava, coupe decale, dancehall, soul and rock.
The inaugural MAMA was held at the Velodrome, Abuja, in 2008, while October 2009 saw the awards move to Nairobi, Kenya, with performances by 2face (Nigeria), Amani (Kenya), A.Y. (Tanzania), Blu3 (Uganda), Brickz (South Africa), Da Les (South Africa), D’banj (Nigeria), Fally Ipupa (DRC), HHP (South Africa), Lizha James (Mozambique), M.I. (Nigeria), Mo’ Hits Allstars (Nigeria), Nameless (Kenya), Pype (Nigeria), Samini (Ghana), STL (Kenya), Lira (South Africa), Wahu (Kenha) and Zebra & Giraffe (South Africa), alongside international stars Wyclef Jean and Akon.
Past winners include 2face (Nigeria), Nameless (Kenya), Samini (Ghana), Wahu (Kenya), HHP (South Africa), D’banj (Nigeria) and Patricke-Stevie Moungondo (Congo Brazzaville).