2020 just keeps on rolling out the gobsmackers. MTV has announced the official return of the Africa Music Awards (MTV MAMA) on our screens for the first time in four years.
The Pearl of Africa, #UGANDA is set to host the MTV Africa Music Awards #MTVMAMA on 20 February 2021. A game-changer in the Arts Industry..
— MTV Base Africa (@MTVBaseAfrica) November 25, 2020
Let's experience the pearl @VisitUganda #VisitUganda pic.twitter.com/S0JhtO8w5C
MTV MAMAs return after four-year hiatus
The news was announced by Senior Vice President and General Manager for ViacomCBS Networks Africa, Monde Twala, in a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter.
Twala indicated that the decision to relaunch the MTV MAMA’s was in line with Viacom Network Africa’s vision of inspiring “young people and unifying communities across the continent through music.”
Everything you need to know about MTV MAMAs 2021
MTV MAMA 2021 will be held virtually for the first time ever, a measure taken to keep with the safety protocols adopted by organisations to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).
Twala further revealed that the ceremony will be hosted in Kampala, in association with Uganda’s ministry of tourism.
The MTV MAMAs will include 20 categories, including:
- ‘Best Song’;
- ‘Best Collaboration’;
- ‘Best Female’;
- ‘Best Male’; and among others
- the MAMA Generation Change Award.
Newly introduced categories will include:
- ‘Alone Together Best Lockdown Performance’;
- ‘Best Fan Base’; and
- ‘Personality of the Year’
Twala revealed that the latter will include role models in entertainment, sport and non-music celebrities.
The announcement of the MTV MAMA 2021 nominees will have to wait until December, unfortunately.
Does this mean MAMAs will be an annual event?
Asked if the MAMAs return was a mark of this being reintroduced as an annual event, Twala said:
“For now, we are focused on delivering the best event ever for the upcoming 2021 MAMA in partnership with the Uganda Ministry of Tourism, but we are committed to bringing this celebration to all our fans across the continent and internationally, as we believe this event is a testament of our long-standing commitment towards the young generation via the power of music.”