KENYAN MAMA NOMINEES TALK, DADDY OWEN, P-UNIT, AND MUTHONI

Three Kenyan acts who are nominees for this year’s MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain (MAMA)spoke to Hot Secrets.
Breaking the record for the first ever gospel act to be nominated in any MTV award is Daddy Owen. The King of Kapungala has received a nod in the Best Anglophone category for his hit single Tobina while hip hop outfit P-Unit got a mention for Best Group for single Karee and Muthoni’s Mikono Kwenye Hewa secured her a spot in the Brand: New category.
“I give all the glory to God for this. It was just last year when the MAMAs were in Nairobi and I got the chance to attend. I kept asking myself, ‘What is the gospel industry doing wrong such that there are no gospel acts nominated or performing’. That is when I purposed to find out hat it takes to make a mark,” Daddy Owen said.
Asked if he will bring the trophy home, he said, “My goodness nothing is impossible.”



A speechless Muthoni was also surprised at the news of the nomination, “I’m surprised and wow,” was all she could say. P Unit’s Frasha, Bon Eye and Gabu were also excited about the nomination. They are currently on a nationwide tour dubbed Wateule Tour with all-boy-band Sauti Sol.

ZAIN IS OUT AIRTEL IS IN FOR THE MAMA'S IN LAGOS

Winner of 2009 MAMAs Golden Microphone D'Banj and Head, Corporate Communication, Airtel Africa Michael Okwiri, during 2010 MAMAs Press Conference

On Wednesday, August 25, MTV Networks Africa (MTVNA) and Bharti Airtel confirmed that they will be holding the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) in Lagos, Nigeria.
The contemporary African music and creativity awards will be held at the EKO EXPO Hall, Lagos on December 11 2010.
The 2010 MAMAs with Airtel will take the form of a stunning live music event and global television spectacular, featuring performances from contemporary African and international music giants and hosted by a major music celebrity.
Artistes from around the continent will battle to win a coveted MAMA trophy in one of twelve award categories including: Best Male, Best Female, Best Video, Best Group, Artist of the Year, Best Lusophone Act, Best Anglophone Act, Best Francophone Act, Song of the Year, Brand: New Act, Best International Act and MAMA Legend.


MI, Deepak Srivastava, D' Banj and Michael Okwiri

Telecommunications giant Airtel comes on board as the headline sponsor of the MTV Africa Music Awards 2010, signalling the telco’s profound commitment to African music and youth culture following its purchase of Zain Africa’s business operations earlier this year.
The sponsorship was announced by Andre Beyers, Chief Marketing Officer, Airtel Africa and Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, MTV Networks Africa.


Deepak Srivastava, MI, VP MTV Africa Alex Okosi, D' Banj, Michael Okwiri and Eldee

MAMAs 2010 IN UGANDA?

Hot Secrets can reliably reveal that this year’s MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) will be held in Uganda. The Ugandan press is buzzing, they claim that with the success of Zain Uganda, which also happens to be the main sponsors of the prestigious awards, an MTV insider happened to visit the country a few weeks back and said Uganda, has all the requirements to organize the awards. Anyhow, our source whispered to Hot Secrets that the award organisers are “scouting for a venue.”
We suspect the most suitable venue might be the Lugogo Cricket Stadium because it fits the profile, as it’s big enough to house the set for the MAMA’s recording session.

"911" LIVE PERFORMANCE DURING MAMA REHEARSAL

More goss on Cleff while in Kenya
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::}}}{{{ AKON AND WYCLEF STRIP ON MAMA STAGE
::}}}{{{ WYCLEF AT THE TRIBE IN KENYA

KENYA SHINES THROUGH AT AFRICA AWARDS

It will go down in history as the most spectacular event Kenya has seen to date. The MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain was well organised and the gala show that was recorded at the Kasarani Stadium went on without a hitch.
As predicted, the West and South of Africa dominated the awards show with nine awards going to those particular areas. The eastern part of Africa walked away with three awards all of which went to Kenya. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) walked away with one, My Video Award.

Kenyan singer Nameless walked away with two awards for Best Male, Listeners Choice Category for his song with Habida, Sunshine. Amani won the same award previously won by Kenya’s Wahu, Best Female.
Nigeria as usual hogged the awards with a total of five awards going to the country’s ‘superstars’. Four-time MAMA nominee 2Face won the Best RnB Award, his fellow Nigerian and triple 2008 MAMA winner D’Banj took home the coveted Artiste Of The Year award.

Pint sized Nigerian rapper MI (Mr Incredible) walked away with two awards for Best Hip Hop Award and Best New Act. P Square who won the Best Group Award couldn’t collect it due to a previous engagement.

Also from West Africa, Ghanaian rapper Samini was awarded the Best Performer Award. South African rock band Zebra & Giraffe took the Best Alternative Award, while rapper HHP represented with the Best Video Award.
This year the Mama Legend Award was given to the late Lucky Dube for his efforts in the anti apartheid fight.
The MAMAs were created last year to celebrate the best African contemporary music.

Photos/Getty and JP Chess

MAMA NOMINEES PARTY IN NAIROBI

Tanzanian rapper AY performs with Kenyan singer Avril


Kenya has bagged six nominations with Nameless getting three in this year’s MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain. The announcement was made last night at a colourful event hosted by MTV and Zain. Kenya will host the 2nd ever MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain on October 10th at a gala event which will take place at the Kasarani indoors gymnasium. The MAMAS are the continent’s biggest music showcase.

Calif Records Alahola and Mejja pose with thre time MAMA nominee Nameless and rapper Collo


MTV Kenyan VJ Emukule Ekirapa


Avril poses with a fan


MTV's Lisa Amenya and Tanzanina songstress Nakaaya


PHOTOS/Chrispinus Wekesa

THE OFFICIAL MAMA PERFORMERS

Nairobi, 5 August 2009: MTV and Zain have set the tone for the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain, revealing news of the first performers signed to appear at the glittering Awards ceremony. Guaranteed to set the stage alight at the Kasarani Indoor Stadium, Nairobi on 10 October and representing the best urban music on the continent will be 2008 Best Female winner, Wahu, South Africa’s Afro-soul queen, Lira, Nigerian rapper M.I. and Ghanaian dancehall superstar, Samini. Many more artists will be announced in the coming weeks.

MTV Alert To Artistes

Local artistes are reminded that the June 30th deadline for submitting their music videos is fast approaching. For one to be eligible for nominations in this year’s MAMAS, one has to have had their music video play on MTV between 16 August 2008 and 30 June 2009.Our artistes are therefore being encouraged to submit their music videos on BETA SP/Mini DV format to MTV’s Arthur Kamau, 1st Floor, Room 4, Chester House, Koinange Street, Nairobi. Alternatively, artists can send their videos directly to Gabby Abrahamse , MTV Networks Africa, P.O. BOX 411855, CRAIGHALL, 2024, South Africa.

MAMA Anouncement Party

This is how it was on Wednesday (15.04.09) at the MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain (MAMA) anouncement at Bluetimes Lounge in Nairobi.

It's Offical People! MAMA is Coming to Kenya

MTV Networks Africa and telecommunications company Zain today revealed that Kenya has been picked to host the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain (MAMA). The annual celebration of the African continent’s contemporary music and youth culture will take place on Saturday 10 October 2009 at the Indoor Arena, Moi International Sports Centre, Nairobi, airing to a potential TV audience of 1 billion viewers around the world.
Leading mobile telecommunications operator, Zain, returns as the sole pan-African sponsor of the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards following their multi-platform, multi-territory partnership with MTV in 2008.
“The MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain is a global platform that highlights the passion, impact and creativity of Africa’s best contemporary artists,” commented Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, MTV Networks Africa. “As a vibrant and influential cultural hub, the city of Nairobi will form a brilliant backdrop to the MAMA Awards and ensure that the second edition of the Awards will be a truly unforgettable experience.”
More than 5,000 fans will watch the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain live at the Indoor Arena, while millions more will watch the global TV broadcast of the show.
“Nairobi is proud to be hosting this year’s MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain,” commented
The Honourable Najib Balala, MP, Minister of Tourism, “MTV’s choice of Nairobi is a huge boost for the city, and we are looking forward to welcoming the continent’s biggest stars here in October for this milestone event.”
Speaking about the Awards, Mwambu Wanendeya, Zain Group Communications Director for Africa said, “The 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain promises to be the highest profile music event in the history of the East African region. Zain is proud to play our part in bringing this inspirational salute to African music excellence to music fans in Africa and around the world.”
The MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain is Africa’s most prestigious live music event. Inaugurated in Abuja, Nigeria in November 2008, the first MAMA broadcast to music fans around the world via MTV’s global TV network and featured electrifying performances by artists including Kelly Rowland, Flo Rida, The Game, Jua Cali, P Square, 9ice, D’Banj, Asa, Cassette and Jozi. Among the artists taking home the distinctive ‘golden microphone’ trophy were Wahu (Best Female), D’Banj (Best Male), Jozi (Best Live) and P Square (Best Group).
The MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain will air across Africa on the 17 October 2009 on satellite on DStv (Channel 322) and Daarsat, and on terrestrial channels WBS (Uganda), TBC (Tanzania), TV3 (Ghana), STV (Nigeria), AIT (Nigeria).

Is MAMA coming to Kenya this time round

This is an invite to next Wednesday, the 15th of April, where MTV Africa and Zain will make an announcement during a media event which will be graced by Tourism Minister, Najib Balala.

Lets wait and see

TREVOR NELSON TO HOST THE MAMA'S

Urban music legend and king of the airwaves Trevor Nelson has been confirmed as the host of the first ever MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain (MAMA). The MOBO-winning DJ and TV presenter will preside over the glittering music awards ceremony taking place at The Velodrome, Abuja, Nigeria on 22 November 2008.
Known as ‘godfather of urbantainment’ Nelson has become a household name after more than a decade of championing urban, club and experimental music on radio and TV, including MTV’s seminal urban music chat show, The Lick and BBC3’s The Lowdown. A goldmine of information on everything to do with hip hop, R&B, dancehall, soul and other urban genres, Nelson’s Saturday night Radio 1 show is a regular fixture with the biggest urban stars on the planet, with Trevor regularly welcoming artists such as Rihanna, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Lemar, Kelly Rowland and Will I Am into his studio. Trevor currently hosts two further radio shows for the BBC - the weekly breakfast show for 1Xtra and a Wednesday night soul music show for Radio2.
‘This is just a dream gig for me,’ commented Nelson. “The MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain puts the spotlight on the kind of music I’ve championed all my life. The energy, passion and talent of the African music scene is off the scale and I can’t wait to get to Nigeria on 22 November to see Africa’s finest artists showing the world what they can do.”
A precocious Nelson began DJ-ing at an early age but his big-time career really kicked off when the young entrepreneur started up the Madhatter sound system, putting on warehouse parties in London. DJ-ing the graveyard shift on then pirate station Kiss FM in London led to a daytime slot and a directorship once the radio station went legit. Continuing his heavy DJ schedule, Nelson made a name for himself at the infamous Soul II Soul Sunday night jam at the Africa Centre.
After 10 years with Kiss FM, 1996 saw Trevor make the move over to Radio 1 to present Rhythm Nation. Within a year he began a second show on Saturday afternoons and currently hosts the live Saturday evening slot from 19:00 BST every weekend.
Nelson continues to DJ across the UK and around the world and this summer enjoyed his sixth season at Ibiza’s Pacha nightclub. He is a veteran presenter with many high profile events under his belt including the MOBOs and the Prince's Trust Urban Music Festival, and has hosted the ‘red carpet show’ at the MTV Europe Music Awards for the past three years. Nelson has also released a number of successful compilation albums including Pure Grooves and INCredible Sound Of Trevor Nelson.
Commented Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, MTV Networks Africa, ‘Trevor’s love and infectious enthusiasm for urban music in all its rich variety makes him the perfect choice to host the MTV Africa Music Awards.’

The MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain takes place at The Velodrome, Abuja, on Saturday, 22 November 2008 and broadcasts on MTV base (DStv Channel 322, GTV), partner networks and terrestrial channels STV (Nigeria), AIT (Nigeria), NTV (Kenya), WBS (Uganda), TV3 (Ghana), TBC (Tanzania) and RTGA (Democratic Republic of the Congo) from 29 November 2008.
To vote for your favourite artist or video, please go to mama.mtvbase.com. Music fans with WAP/GPRS enabled phones may also vote at m.mama.mtvbase.com (standard internet charges apply). Voting closes on Tuesday 18 November 2008.

AND THE NOMINEES ARE...

MTV UNVEILS CONTENDERS FOR FIRST EVER
MTV AFRICA MUSIC AWARDS WITH ZAIN

Lagos, 7 October 2008: MTV Networks Africa today announced the contenders for the first ever MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain (MAMA). The nominations for the inaugural pan-African music awards ceremony were revealed at a VIP soirée at Planet One, Lagos, Nigeria by Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, MTV Networks Africa and Norman Moyo, Chief Marketing Officer, Zain Nigeria, in the presence of nominees D’Banj, Wahu, DJ Cleo and Naeto C.

Selected by an independent voting ‘academy’ of 150 music professionals and opinion formers from 30 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the nominations for the MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain showcase the wealth of musical talent that Africa has to offer, and provide the ultimate vehicle for young Africans to salute the African and international artists that rock their worlds.

Heading the nominee list with 5 ‘nods’ from the MAMA nominations academy are Nigerian R&B duo P-Square (Best Group, Best Live Performer, Best R&B, Best Video and Artist of the Year), closely followed by triple nominees D’Banj (Nigeria) and HHP (South Africa), who go head-to-head in the Best Male and Artist of the Year categories. Wahu (Kenya) and Asa (Nigeria) share the honours as the most nominated female artists with two nominations each for Wahu (Best New Act, Best Female) and Asa (Best Female, Artist of the Year).
Topping the country roll of honour with 18 individual nominations is South Africa, closely followed by Nigeria (16 nominations). Kenyan artists scored three nominations: Jua Cali for Best Male and Wahu for Best New Act & Best Female. Ghanaian artists were recognised in two categories: Best Live Performance (Samini) and Best New Act (Kwaw Kese), while Mozambique, Gabon, Tanzania and Uganda all scored one nominee with recognition for Professor Jay (Tanzania), East Africa Bashment Crew (Uganda), Movaizhaleine (Gabon) and Dama do Bling (Mozambique).
US, and European artists are represented in three categories with nods to Akon, Rihanna and Alicia Keys for Best R&B, while rappers The Game and Lil Wayne both feature in Best Hip Hop. Prominent in the Best Alternative category are British rockers Coldplay, competing against, Buraka Som Sistema (Portugal) and a trio of South African contenders: Goldfish, The Parlotones and Seether.
The nominees for the 2008 MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain are:
BEST FEMALE
Wahu (Kenya)
Asa (Nigeria)
Dama Do Bling (Mozambique)
Sasha (Nigeria)
Zonke (South Africa)

BEST MALE
Jua Cali (Kenya)
2Face (Nigeria)
D’Banj (Nigeria)
DJ Cleo (South Africa)
HHP (South Africa)

BEST LIVE PERFORMER
Samini (Ghana)
D’Banj (Nigeria)
P-Square (Nigeria)
Cassette (South Africa)
Jozi (South Africa)

BEST GROUP
P-Square (Nigeria)
Freshly Ground (South Africa)
Jozi (South Africa)
The Parlotones (South Africa)
East African Bashment Crew (Uganda)

BEST ALTERNATIVE
Buraka Som Sistema (Portugal)
Goldfish (South Africa)
Seether (South Africa)
The Parlotones (South Africa)
Coldplay (UK)

BEST HIP-HOP
9ice (Nigeria)
HHP (South Africa)
Professor Jay (Tanzania)
Lil Wayne (USA)
The Game (USA)

BEST R&B
P-Square (Nigeria)
Akon (Senegal / USA)
Loyiso (South Africa)
Alicia Keys (USA)
Rihanna (USA)

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Asa (Nigeria)
D’Banj (Nigeria)
P-Square (Nigeria)
HHP (South Africa)
Seether (South Africa)

BEST NEW ACT
Kwaw Kese (Ghana)
Wahu (Kenya)
9ice (Nigeria)
Naeto C (Nigeria)
Da L.E.S. (South Africa)

BEST VIDEO
Movaizhaleine (Gabon) – Nous
Ikechukwu (Nigeria) – Wind Am Well
P-Square (Nigeria) – Roll It
Freshlyground (South Africa) – Pot Belly
Pro Kid (South Africa) – Uthini Ngo Pro