The MTV African Music Awards Kampala (MAMA) is closing in on us and the latest to come from the ceremony is the first batch of nominations for 2021’s event.
MTV MAMA 2021 nominations list – Part One
The MTV MAMAs return for the first time in four years to celebrate and honour the very best of the African continent’s entertainers.
The ceremony will take place on 20 February 2021 in Kampala, Uganda and broadcast globally through ViacomCBS channels. Below, is the first batch of nominees. The rest will be unveiled on 5 January 2021.
Here are your MTV MAMA 2021 nominees for the first unveiled categories:
Best Female
- Simi (Nigeria)
- Sheebah (Uganda)
- Sho Madjozi (South Africa)
- Busiswa (South Africa)
- Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
- Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
- Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
Best Male
- Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Innoss’B (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- Kabza De Small (South Africa)
- Harmonize (Tanzania)
- Fireboy DML (Nigeria)
- Master KG (South Africa)
- Rema (Nigeria)
Best Group
- Blaq Diamond (South Africa)
- Sauti Sol (Kenya)
- Kabza De Small / DJ Maphorisa (South Africa)
- Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe)
- Ethic (Kenya)
- Rostam (Tanzania)
Artist of the Year
- Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe)
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Master KG (South Africa)
- Davido (Nigeria)
- Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
- Wizkid (Nigeria)
Best Breakthrough Act
- Elaine (South Africa)
- Tems (Nigeria)
- Omah Lay (Nigeria)
- Zuchu (Tanzania)
- John Blaq (Uganda)
- Sha Sha (Zimbabwe)
- Focalistic (South Africa)
Best Hip Hop
- Nasty C (South Africa)
- Suspect 95 (Cote d’Ivoire)
- Khaligraph Jones (Kenya)
- Kwesi Arthur (Ghana)
- NGA (Angola)
- OMG (Senegal)
Best Ugandan Act
- Sheebah
- Bebe Cool
- John Blaq
- Vinka
- Daddy Andre
- Spice Diana
Best Lusophone Act
- Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe)
- Preto Show (Angola)
- Anna Joyce (Angola)
- Mr Bow (Mozambique)
- Nelson Freitas (Cape Verde)
- Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
Best Francophone Act
- Innoss’B (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- Suspect 95 (Cote d’Ivoire)
- Dip Doundou Guiss (Senegal)
- Stanley Enow (Cameroon)
- Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- Gaz Mawete (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Alone Together: Best Lockdown Performance
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) – Africa Day Benefit Concert
- Black Motion (South Africa) – Red Bull Rendezvous
- Niniola ft Busiswa (Nigeria / SA) – Africa Day Benefit Concert
- Singuila (Congo) – DCDR Series
- AKA (South Africa) – AKA TV
- Yemi Alade (Nigeria) – Poverty (live session)
How to vote for your favourite nominee
Winners from next year’s MTV MAMA will be exclusively picked by viewers, with the exception of Video of the Year, MAMA Legend Award and Generation Change.
There are a number of ways to cast your vote for the artists you think deserves to walk away with the honours in their respective category.
To vote, visit the MTV MAMA voting page and select your favourite artist in each category. When you’re done, scroll to the bottom of the page and click ‘CAST MY VOTES’.
There is no limit to the number of times you can vote.