8th June, 2014
Funsho Arogundade
Nigeria’s music star, Davido has been adjudged the Artiste of the year at the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards, MAMAs, held on Saturday 7 June.
During the prestigious award ceremony televised live on DSTV channel 322 from International Conference Centre, Durban, South Africa venue, the young HKN Music singer also picked the statuette as the Best Male act, beating fellow compatriot Wizkid, Anselmo Ralph (Angola), Diamond (Tanzania) and Donald of (South Africa).
Nigeria and Mavin Records’ first lady, Tiwa Savage emerged MAMAs’ Best Female Act. She beat talented divas such as Chidinma (Nigeria), DJ’ndo (South Africa) and Efya (Ghana) to the diadem.
Nigerian music director, Clarence Peters, won the gong for Best Video with Burna Boy’s hit song, ‘Run My Race’.
Clarence, son of award-winning actress, Clarion Chukwurah, also made Nigeria proud as he was honoured with the newly introduced ‘Transform Today Award’ By Absolut.
Contemporary Highlife singer, Flavour N’abania also earned himself a diadem. He was bestowed the Best Live Act award to take the total haul for Nigeria to six.
South Africa duo and quadruple nominees Mafikizolo triumphed in the Best Group and Song of The Year categories with monster hit, ‘Khona’.
Their counterparts, Goldfish won the best Pop award, Gangs of Ballet picked the Best Alternative statuette and Uhuru was recognised for Best Collaboration for his part in “Y-tjukutja” by Uhuru Ft. Oskido, DJ Bucks, Professor and Yuri Da Cunha.
Rap genius Sarkodie placed Ghana on the honour list as he picked the best Hip Hop title.
In the Best Francophone category, Toofan from Togo won, while Angola’s Anselmo Ralph won in the Best Lusophone category.
Cameroonian’s Stanley Enow was the 2014 MAMAs’ Best New Act.
Best International award went to Pharrell Williams with his phenomenal hit song ‘Happy’.
In this year’s newly introduced lifestyle award categories, Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o took home the award for Personality of the Year, while the inaugural MTV Base Leadership award was won by Tanzanian entrepreneur Ashish J. Thakkar.
African and international talents rocked the ceremony with electrifying live performances. Fally Ipupa, Michael Lowman, Don Jazzy, DJ Clock, Beatenberg, DJ Kent, Big Nuz, Toofan, D’Banj, DJ Vigi, DJ Tira and DJ Buckz all performed.
Other A-listers who performed were Burna Boy, Sauti Sol, Ice Prince, Sarkodie, The Arrows, Khuli Chana, Dr Sid, French Montana, Miguel, Trey Songz, Davido, Uhuru, Mafikizolo, Oskido, Professor, Tiwa Savage, Flavour, Diamond, Phyno and Yuri da Cunha.
All the artistes then performed on stage for a medley of French Montana songs including “Pop That”, “Freaks” and “Ain’t Worried About Nothin!”
American stand-up comic, film and television sensation Marlon Wayans hosted MAMA 2014 with his trademark humour, making a triumphant entrance on a blinged-up rickshaw and engaging the audience with his easy charm.
Speaking after the show, Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, said: “Tonight’s MAMA 2014 was truly spectacular and a true testament to the passion, commitment and creativity of contemporary music, youth culture and achievement on the African continent.”
Desmond Golding, Head of Department of Economic Development & Tourism, KZN Province, “The MAMAs 2014 has fulfilled all its great promise in terms of spectacle, star power and bringing the eyes of the world onto our great province.
“We congratulate the winners, nominees and performers on a truly spectacular evening of entertainment. Through cultural events of this magnitude, we underline the stature of KwaZulu-Natal as a leading destination for tourism, economic development and cultural experiences.”
The 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards is a stunning pan-African celebration of music, youth culture and lifestyle, sponsored by KwaZulu-Natal Province and supported by Absolut and the City of Durban.
South Africa Tourism is also a key partner to the awards.