19th July, 2015
Funsho Arogundade
MTV Base is 10 years in Africa and stars from Africa and international music industry came out en masse on the night of Saturday 18 July in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa to celebrate and attend the fifth edition of the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) 2015.
And as expected, Nigeria music stars shone brightly at the glamorous awards ceremony held inside the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC), as they carted home most of the coveted awards on the night.
Yemi Alade and Davido were the biggest winners of the night as they won the “Best Male” and “Best Female” awards respectively. Davido has now won the award two years in a row.
Dancehall fast rising star, Patoranking won the coveted “Best New Act Transformed by Absolut”. He beat Casper Nyovest and Stonebwoy to the award.
The “Song of The Year’ was won by Don Jazzy’s Mavins All Star’s “Dorobucci”, while P-Square won the “Artist of the Decade” award as well as the “Best Group” award.
Kokomaster D’Banj won the MAMA Evolution Award, a new category honouring established artistes who have made an indelible mark on African and global music culture by taking African music to new territories around the world, pushing the boundaries of creativity and shaping the soundscape of contemporary Africa.
Excited D’Banj surprisingly dedicated the award to his estranged buddie and business partner, Don Jazzy.
Other big winners on the night include South Africa hip-hop star Cassper Nyovest who nabbed the Best Hip Hop Award for his hit ‘Doc Shabaleza’. AKA, Burna Boy, Da LES & JR won the “Best Collaboration” for the hit song “All Eyes On Me”.
Tanzanian act, Diamond Platnumz won the “Best Live Act”, Jeremy Loops won the “Best Pop & Alternative” award; Ary won in the “Best Lusophone” category; DJ Arafat was the winner of the “Best Francophone”; and Nafukwa won the “Best Video”.
South African comedian and newly appointed Daily Show host Trevor Noah triumphed in Personality of the Year. Saran Kaba Jones and S’Bu Mavundla shared equal honours for the MTV Base Leadership award.
Anthony Anderson captivated the 5,000-strong MAMA audience with his lively humour, engaging charisma and unexpected outfit changes. The Emmy award nominee hosted both BET Awards and MTV MAMAs in the same year.
Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa said Africa is a continent of the now and the future.
“Tonight was testament to that. MAMA 2015 represented and reflected the abundant amount of creativity and passion this continent breeds,” Okosi said.
Saluting and championing African music, youth culture and achievement, MAMA 2015 brought the continent together for a massive celebration contemporary music including electrifying performances, collaborations and awards presentations.
There were stunning collaborations between artists of different genres. NE-YO took to the stage with Seyi Shay; 2Face collaborating with Bucie, Sauti Sol pairing up with Yemi Alade and Patoranking swapping beats with K.O.
Other performers include DJ Fisherman, NaakmusiQ, DJ Tira, Anselmo Ralph, Danger from Big Nuz, Jhené Aiko, Duncan, Burna Boy, Stonebwoy, Da LES, Diamond Platinumz, Wizkid, Flavour, Toofan, D’Banj, Davido, Uhuru, Black Motion and Cassper Nyovest.
The MAMA 2015 coincided with the nationwide celebration of the late Nelson Mandela’s birthday, a fact that was touched on by artists at the show. It was sponsored by KwaZulu-Natal in association with Absolut Vodka and in partnership with The City of Durban.
The show ended on a high with a jubilant medley mash-up by Artist of the Decade winners P-Square, featuring hit tracks “Personally”, “Chop My Money”, “Alingo” and “Shekini”.