Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Fuse ODG & Others Nominated For MTV MAMAs 2015 + Full List

This year’s nominees for MAMAs is out and Ghana was not left out.

Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Fuse ODG had nominations for the 2015 edition.

Mr. Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, VIMN Africa, commented, “As Viacom International Media Networks celebrates its first 10 years in Africa, we are thrilled to pay tribute to the dynamism, creativity and passion of all the MAMA 2015 nominees. 

Applauding music and achievement all over the continent, the MAMA recognises the contribution of both enduring icons on the African music scene, and new and emerging talents of the future.”

Competing in the prestigious Best Male act category are AKA (South Africa), Davido (Nigeria), Diamond (Tanzania), Sarkodie (Ghana) and Wizkid (Nigeria), while female artists making their mark in the Best Female category include Bucie (SA), Busiswa (SA), Seyi Shay (Nigeria), Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania) and Yemi Alade (Nigeria).


The inspiring cross-cultural creative exchange of African musicians is measured in the Best Collaboration category, where AKA, Burna Boy, Da LES & JRcompete against Davido featuring Uhuru & DJ Buckz (Nigeria/SA), Toofan & DJ Arafat (Togo/Ivory Coast), Diamond & Iyanya (Kenya/Nigeria), and Stanley Enow & Sarkodie (Cameroon/Ghana).

The enduring popularity of Hip Hop on the continent is captured in the hotly contested Best Hip Hopcategory, where Cassper Nyovest (South Africa) is battling it out with K.O. (South Africa), Olamide (Nigeria), Phyno (Nigeria) and Youssoupha(DRC).


Recognising the contribution of new talent on the continent, Best New Act: Transformed Today by Absolut gave nods to nominees from around the continent, including Cassper Nyovest (South Africa), Anna Joyce (Angola), Duncan (South Africa), Patoranking (Nigeria) and Stonebwoy (Ghana).

@MTVBaseAfrica revealed on Twitter prior to the event that stand-up comedian and new Daily Show host Trevor Noah (South Africa) was nominated for the second year running as Personality of the Year - where he goes up against fellow comic Basketmouth (Nigeria), TV personality and reality star Bonang Matheba (South Africa), actor O.C. Ukeje (Nigeria) and Manchester City/Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast) - after losing out to Lupita Nyong’o in the same category last year.

Last year’s Video of the Year winner Clarence Peters (Nigeria) is hoping to repeat his 2014 success with a second nomination in this category for Bebe Cool’s music video “Love You Everyday”, competing against fellow directors Sesan (“The Sound”: Davido Featuring Uhuru & DJ Buckz), Adriaan Louw (“Nafukwa”: Riky Rick), Meji Alabi (“Crazy”: Seyi Shay Featuring Wizkid) and Ryan Kruger (“Doors”: Prime Circle).

The winners for the MTV Africa Music Awards KwaZulu-Natal 2015 will be revealed during the live TV broadcast on 18 July.

Tickets for the 2015 MAMA go on sale at Computicket from Thursday 18 June 2015 priced R267 (standing). A percentage of proceeds from the sale of the tickets will be donated by MTV Base to deserving causes in KwaZulu-Natal.

The MTV Africa Music Awards KwaZulu-Natal 2015 will broadcast live across Africa on MTV Base (DStv channel 322), MTV (DStv channel 130) and BET (DStv channel 129) on Saturday 18 July at 21:00 CAT. The show will also be transmitted worldwide on partner stations and content platforms including BET International from 18 July. In addition, a special MAMA-themededition of MTV’s acclaimed World Stage franchise will air globally on MTV channels around the world on 27 August 2015.

Desmond Golding, Head of Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs, KwaZulu-Natal Province, commented, "These nominations mark a significant milestone to the MAMA, which KwaZulu-Natal sees as the linchpin to deepening tourism, investment and talent.”

“Congratulations to all the 2015 MAMA nominees, particularly the nominees of Best New Act Transformed by Absolut," said Charl Bassil, Marketing Director, Pernod Ricard South Africa. “We look forward to transforming the Best New Act nominees’ MAMA nomination journey by garnering support for them through our supporter video shout-outs and live in-market performances, and via our “Africa is Absolut” campaign. The campaign celebrates Africa’s unique creativity, recognising artists who stand by their style, who are creators, innovators and originators. A campaign that encourages artists to Be Absolut.”

Phillip Sithole Head of Durban Tourism proudly stated, “The MAMA is a true reflection of the rapid growth and music potential of the African continent. The City is proud that the event will be a catalyst to showcase the talent in the local music industry and create opportunities for our young and aspiring artists to be competitive globally. We wish the nominees in all the categories the best of luck and may they be proud of reaching this achievement for their continent.”

Congratulations to all the Ghanaian artistes.

MAMA 2015 NOMINEES:

Best Male

AKA (South Africa)
Davido (Nigeria)
Diamond (Tanzania)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Wizkid (Nigeria)

Best Female

Bucie (South Africa)
Busiswa (South Africa)
Seyi Shay (Nigeria)
Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

Best Group
B4 (Angola)
Beatenberg (South Africa)
Black Motion (South Africa)
P-Square (Nigeria)
Sauti Sol (Kenya)

Best New Act Transformed by Absolut

Anna Joyce (Angola)
Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
Duncan (South Africa)
Patoranking (Nigeria)
Stonebwoy (Ghana)

Best Hip Hop

Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
K.O. (South Africa)
Phyno (Nigeria)
Olamide (Nigeria)
Youssoupha (DRC)

Best Collaboration

AKA, Burna Boy, Da LES & JR: “All Eyes On Me” (SA/Nigeria)
Davido featuring Uhuru & DJ Buckz: “The Sound” (Nigeria/SA)
Diamond & Iyanya: “Bum Bum” (Kenya/Nigeria)
Toofan & DJ Arafat: “Apero Remix” (Togo/Ivory Coast)
Stanley Enow & Sarkodie: “Njama Njama Cow Remix” (Cameroon/Ghana)

Song of the Year

Cassper Nyovest: “Doc Shebeleza” (South Africa)
Euphonik featuring Mpumi: “Busa” (South Africa)
DJ Fisherman & NaakMusiQ featuring DJ Tira, Danger & Dream Team: “Call Out” (South Africa)
K.O featuring Kid X: “Caracara” (South Africa)
Lil Kesh Featuring Olamide & Davido: “Shoki Remix” (Nigeria)
Mavins: “Dorobucci” (Nigeria)
Sauti Sol: “Sura Yako” (Kenya)
Toofan: “Gweta” (Togo)
Wizkid: “Show You The Money” (Nigeria)
Yemi Alade: “Johnny” (Nigeria)

Best Live

Big Nuz (South Africa)
Diamond (Tanzania)
Flavour (Nigeria)
Mi Casa (South Africa)
Toofan (Togo)

Video of the Year

“Crazy” – Seyi Shay Featuring Wizkid; Director: Meji Alabi
“Doors” – Prime Circle; Director: Ryan Kruger
“Love You Everyday” – Bebe Cool; Director: Clarence Peters
“Nafukwa” – Riky Rick; Director: Adriaan Louw
“The Sound” – Davido Featuring Uhuru & DJ Buckz; Director: Sesan

Best Pop & Alternative

Fuse ODG (Ghana)
Jeremy Loops (South Africa)
Jimmy Nevis (South Africa)
Nneka (Nigeria)
Prime Circle (South Africa)

Best Francophone

DJ Arafat (Ivory Coast)
Jovi (Cameroon)
Laurette Le Pearle (DRC)
Tour 2 Garde (Ivory Coast)
Toofan (Togo)

Best Lusophone

Ary (Angola)
B4 (Angola)
Nelson Freitas (Cape Verde)
NGA (Angola)
Yuri Da Cunha (Angola)

Personality of the Year

Basketmouth (Nigeria)
Bonang Matheba (South Africa)
OC Ukeje (Nigeria)
Trevor Noah (South Africa)
Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)