Abuja in Nigeria was the place to be this past weekend as the inaugural MTV African Music Awards with Zain went down. The assortment of winners and performers for the night also proved that the African spirit and unity were alive and well. This resulted in the ceremony enjoying a thunderous success.
It seems Les' cries were head (well, not precisely so) as Jozi walked away with the award for Best Live act. Many may remember when the one third of the energetic hip hop outfit made headlines criticising South Africans for not voting in awards that require the public votes. I'm extremely excited and feel they more than deserve the accollade as they are absolutely the best in their live performances. Other South Africans that put the country on the map were the rockers Seether who took the golden mic for Best Alternative ensemble. Also, it's said that the most poignant moment of the night was when MTV paid homage to two of Africa's most treasured legends, including Mama Africa Miriam Makeba, who passed away just a few weeks before the awards ceremony.
The biggest winner of the night at the first ever MTV African Music Awards with Zain was Nigerian music extraordinaire D'Banj. He scooped the statuettes for Best Male, Artist Of the Year and Viewer's Choice categories. Other winners included Kenya's Wahu as Best Female for the night; Alicia Keys crowned for Best R&B (award accepted by my wife in my head :-), Kelly Rowland on Alicia's behalf), as well another of the most coveted categories Best Group, which was awarded to Nigerian twin-duo P Square.
The performances wing of the awards is said to have been sizzling hot too, with an electrifying collaboration between Kelly Rowland and D'Banj; an intense dance-off between P Square and Jozi; a soulful delivery by Paris-based Nigeria's Asa; as well as a thrilling showcase by FloRida and The Game. Apparently, other noteworthy highlights included sterling perfromances from HHP, 9ice, Cassette, Jua Cali, Naeto C, Ikechukwu and Fela Kuti's (who was honoured with MAMA Legend award) son Sean Kuti accompanied by his father's band Egypt 80.
It sounds like it was a memorable night and a great beginning for the MTV African Music Awards with Zain. We can only hope that it grows bigger and better. Alex Okosi did mention at a press conference in Jozi during the Road to MAMA's tour that the awards ceremony will be taken around the continent, so I'm waiting with excitement for Mzansi's turn in the next few years.
If you missed out on all the festivities, please tune into MTVbase in the next few days as I'm sure Sizwe and Fikile will bring you snippets behind the velvet rope of the MAMA's.
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