Emotions ran wild last year when Nigerian superstars, Davido, Clarence Peters,Tiwa Savage and Flavour clinched a total of six awards at the 2014 edition of MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) held at Durban’s International Conference Centre,South Africa.
When you mention MAMA, what comes to mind is a pan- African celebration of youth culture and music which parades the best performances, glamourous personalities, beautiful venue and an unforgettable entertainment ambiance .The awards has undoubtedly become Africa’s leading music ceremony.
2015 looking to be Nigeria’s big year
Out of the 15 categories,
Nigerian musicians are nominated in 13. The likes of Olamide, Seyi Shay, Patoranking and Phyno are top contenders. In addition,the organizers of the awards have introduced a new category called MAMA Evolution.
This category is meant for established artistes who have made a huge impact on the African music scene, taken African music to new heights around the world and pushed the boundaries of creativity. The winner for this category will be jointly decided by MTV Base and online voting via Twitter and Instagram.
Nigerian representatives, D’Banj, Asa, Psquare and 2face are battling with other African contingents in this category. They are Fally Ipupa (DRC), Samini (Ghana), HHP (South Africa) Chameleone (Uganda), Black Coffee (South Africa) and Anselmo Ralph (Angola).
Psquare ready to bounce back?
The talented Afropop duo were the biggest losers at last year’s edition of MTV Africa Music Awards. The duo were defeated three times. They lost out in the categories; Song of the year, Best Group and Artiste of the Year won by Davido. Perhaps, they may triumph this year as they have been nominated in the Best Group category and Evolution awards category.
Will Davido’s magic work again?
The rising pop star, Davido was the king at the 2014 MAMA. He was crowned the biggest artiste in Africa. The Aye sensation won the Artiste of the year award defeating South Africa’s Mafikizolo,Mi Casa, Psquare and Uhuru.
Fast forward to 2015, Davido has been nominated in a total of three categories which are: Best Male, Best Collaboration (Davido featuring Uhuru & DJ Buckz – The Sound) and Video of the year (Davido Featuring Uhuru & DJ Buckz –The Sound).The question on the lips of everyone is this: “Will Davido’s magic wand work this time around”?
The Olamide, Phyno joker
Nigerian rappers,Olamide and Phyno are nominated in Best Hip-hop category. The duo who recently dropped Two Kings album are contending alongside some of Africa’s best in the hip-hop arena. They will have to slug it out with nominated artistes in this category which include Cassper Nyovest (South Africa) , K.O. (South Africa) Youssoupha (DRC)
Dorobucci on the cusp of history
No one knows what Dorobucci really means, in spite of that the song has spread like wildfire, becoming one of the biggest songs to emerge out of the Nigerian soil. Don Jazzy gathered his merry men when Mohits imploded, this birthed the song Dorobucci.
The song features Mavin Records acts including Dr Sid, Tiwa Savage, Korede Bello, Reekado Banks, D’Prince, D’ija and Don Jazzy himself. The video currently has over 10 million views The song has been nominated in the Song of the year category alongside Lil Kesh Shoki remix, Cassper Nyovest Doc Shebeleza, Yemi Alade’s Johnny and Wizkid’s Show you the money
All eyes on Yemi Alade
In the past few years,Yemi Alade has become one of the most consistent and influential songstress in Nigeria. For this year’s MAMA the Johnny singer bagged two nominations for Best female artiste and Song of the year. In the Best Female category,Yemi is up against Vanessa Mdee, Seyi Shay,Bucie and Busiswa.
“I am very thankful to be nominated. Being nominated means you are appreciated and this makes me a star. I am happy and I hope to win”.Yemi declares in a recent interview .The light skinned singer has also been added to the list of performers for this year’s MAMA.
She will be joining 2face, Psquare,Wizkid ,Seyi Shay, Ne-Yo, Jhene Aiko, Young Thug, Davido and others to add excitement to the event.
MAMA returns to South Africa for the 2nd time.The event holds at the Durban International Convention Centre, KwaZulu-Natal today on Saturday, July 18, 2015.
Comic star, Anthony Anderson has been announced as host of the event. Anderson recently co-hosted the BET Awards in Los Angeles.
My parents saw my venture into music as hopeless —Tmol
Eugene Ubaka known as Tmol is a budding artiste who is convinced about his music aptitude. The talented singer and songwriter in a recent interview revealed that he started his music career as a chorister in church which metamorphosed into him becoming a highlife musician.The Tee square entertainment artiste reveals that his parents saw his music venture as hopless.
“ My parents saw my venture as hopeless but today my song Ezinne di ukor is a favourite among music lovers.
Tmol who has to his credit many released songs remarked that there is need for parents to give support to their children. He also charged parents to be supportive and also help them rediscover their talent.
This talented singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and performer who hails from an agrarian community of Ejeme Aniogor in Aniocha South Local government area of Delta State added that he hopes to use his music to bring limelight not only to his community but the state and called for support.
