Nominees list for MAMA 2016 out, Wizkid, Linda Ikeji pitched in same category

Nominees list for MAMA 2016 out, Wizkid, Linda Ikeji pitched in same category

By Theophilus kayode

 

The first round of nominations for the 2016 edition of the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) 2016 set to be staged in the city of Johannesburg in South Africa has been released.

Leading the list of nominees for this year’s edition of the awards are Wizkid, Cassper Nyovest, AKA and Sauti Sol with an impressive nine nominations among them.

In lifestyle category Personality of the Year, Pearl Thusi will vie against soccer player Pierre Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), middle distance runner and Olympic gold medallist Caster Semenya, blogger Linda Ikeji (Nigeria) and musician Wizkid (Nigeria).

Fifty MAMA nominees including artists and achievers from 18 countries were revealed in nine key music and lifestyle award categories were announced by the award organisers and leading the line of nominees is Nigerian star Wizkid with three nominations including nods in Best Male, Best Collaboration and Personality of the Year.

Next in line with two nominations each are AKA (South Africa), Cassper Nyovest (South Africa) and Sauti Sol (Kenya).  The hotly contested Best Hip Hop category sees MAMA nominations for Emtee and Riky Rick of South Africa, who’ll be going head to head against Nigeria’s Olamide and Ycee, and Kiff No Beat (Ivory Coast).

An epic battle of the bands is in store in the Best Group category where Ghana’s R2bees face off against Kenya’s Sauti Sol, South Africa’s Mi Casa, Navy Kenzo from Tanzania and Togolese duo, Toofan.

The second round of nominations, comprising 7 additional award categories, including Artist of the Year, Best Female, Listener’s Choice, Best Breakthrough, Best Francophone, Song of the Year in partnership with Google, and Video of the Year, will be revealed at the Hard Rock Café, Lagos, Nigeria during Road to MAMA – Lagos 2016 (2 October 2016).  No nominations will be revealed for the MTV Base Reimagined award, and MAMA Legend.

While commenting on the forthcoming awards; Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, said; “The MAMA celebrates Africa’s incredible young musicians and trailblazers by breaking down barriers, driving engagement, and highlighting the continent’s rich and abundant talent.  It’s an honour to be able to salute their achievements at MAMA 2016, and we offer our congratulations to all of the nominees as we look forward to the most exciting and diverse MAMA yet.”

 RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears