Nairobi, 10 October 2009: Nameless (Kenya) and M.I. (Nigeria) were the big winners of the evening at the MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain. The two artists took home two trophies each at the pan-African music celebration, held at the Moi International Sports Complex, Kasarani, Kenya on 10 October 2009.

Nameless won the coveted Best Male artist category at the Awards, which honours and celebrates Africa’s contemporary music stars, as well as the Listener’s Choice category which recognizes the biggest radio hits of the year. M.I. clinched an impressive duo, scoring for Best New Act and Best Hip Hop.

Best Female went to Kenyan star Amani, making it two in a row for Kenyan female performers after Wahu’s win in Abuja in 2008.

Ghanaian star Samini put dancehall firmly on the map with a win for Best Performer, a fitting tribute to his trademark high energy live performances. Artist of the Year went to D’Banj – showing the Nigerian star remains at the top of his game after a triple win in 2008 and his MTV Europe Music Awards win in 2007.

Nigeria's D'Banj emerged as artiste of the year for the second year running at the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs). The show took place today at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. Ayeni The Great, one of the best entertainment journalists in Nigeria, reported prceedings from his Twitter account. (@alluevanid)

Wyclef Jean was the host of the awards and performed alongside Akon, Samini, who won Best Performer and other African musicians. Lucky Dube was honoured while Wyclef and Akon did a tribute to the late Michael Jackson. See the nominees at this link

The full list of winners
Best Male
Nameless (Kenya)

Nairobi, 17 September 2009: MTV and Zain have revealed the tracks and artists shortlisted for the Listener’s Choice Award at the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain. Recognising and rewarding the biggest radio hits of the year, the prestigious Listener’s Choice Award reflects the African artists and singles who dominated the continent’s radio airwaves in 2008/9.

To find the ultimate radio track of the year, Zain, MTV base and 10 partner radio stations across Africa have each chosen their five biggest radio hits, before handing over to members of the public to vote for their favourites. Participate in Listener’s Choice by sending an SMS message to vote for your chosen artist and track and you could also win a dream holiday for four people to Kenya, staying at Ol Seki Mara Camp and Almanara Diani Beach Resort.

The artists and tracks shortlisted for the 2009 Listener’s Choice Award are by:
Country - Radio Station - Artist/Track

Akon is the latest US superstar to sign up for the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) with Zain. The Senegalese-American multi-platinum artist and producer is set to headline at the 2009 MAMA Awards in Nairobi, Kenya on 10 October, performing alongside Fugees’ alumnus Wyclef Jean and a host of Africa’s most celebrated contemporary artists including Wahu, M.I., Samini and Lira.

A six-time Grammy-nominated artist/producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist, celebrated for his mesmerising vocal talent, haunting lyrics and extrovert personality, Akon has been making waves around the globe since he first hit the music scene in 2004 with his debut album “Trouble”, which reached #1 in the Billboard charts.

The quality of African music videos have improved greatly in the last few years as African music videos have become major ways to promote the work of African musicians and the emergence of outlets like Channel O, MTVBase, Youtube and many other websites and through social networks like Facebook and Myspace. There are a number of awards shows that acknowledge excellence in African music videos as well.

These musicians have been chosen to represent Uganda, DR Congo, South Africa, Mozambique & Tanzania at the MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain (MAMA), the annual celebration of African contemporary music, in Kenya on 10 October 2009. They will join previously announced performers Wyclef Jean, Wahu, Lira, M.I. and Samini at the second annual MAMA awards, taking place at the Indoor Arena, Moi International Sports Centre, Nairobi, airing to a potential TV audience of 1 billion viewers around the world.

Blu3 (Uganda) are nominated in the Best Performer category. Also added to the lineup of performers at the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain are Lizha James from Mozambique – a hot contender for the Best Female trophy – South Africa’s Da L.E.S (Best Male, Best Video nominee), A.Y. from Tanzania (Best Hip Hop nominee) and Congolese soukous king, Fally Ipupa.

YES-JA!
Just got the news... that MTV Base has nominated EES for the MTV African Music Awards for Listeners Choice Award 2009! Only people from Namibia can vote – the winner gets to perform in Kenya at the MTV AFRICA Awards SHOW!!

.....it is now up to the FANS and SUPPORTERS to VOTE for "EES" by SMS:
"MAMA B" to 777

Listen to the African musician collaborations playlist

Just received the mp3 for a song I've been secretly hoping will get made for sometime now. Nigeria's Sasha P and Mozambique's Dama do Bling are arguably the best female African rappers. I've been hoping they'll come together to make a track and they put it down recently. The jam is called 'Put it down' and it's great, Sasha P even spits a few lines in Portuguese. African musicians are uniting to make great music and with channels like MTVBase Africa and Channel O, Africans all over are beginning to listen and appreciate music from all over the continent. Here are a few other collabos you should know about.