
By Bolarinwa Akande
Amidst criticism of her new video, Wanted, which is perceived in several quarters as indecent, First Lady of Mavin Records, Tiwa Savage, was last Saturday, in Durban, South Africa, celebrated as Africa’s Best Female artiste of the year.
With a total of six statuettes won by Nigerian artistes who were nominated in different categories of the MTV African Music Awards (MAMA), there was renewed discourse about the resourcefulness of Nigerian singers, as Davido, was also crowned in two categories; Best Male, and Artiste of the Year, the biggest of the MAMAs.
Other Nigerians who came tops in their categories are Flavour, who won the Best Live Act trophy, and celebrated music-video director, Clarence Peters, who clinched the Best Video, and Transform Today Award, a category endorsed by Absolut.
South Africa’s Mafikizolo and Uhuru were also celebrated by their fans. Mafikizolo who won Best Group award also clinched Song of the Year diadem, for the popular Khona, featuring Uhuru, while Uhuru on the other hand, won the Best Collaboration, for Y-tjukutja, featuring Oskido, DJ Bucks, Professor and Yuri Da Cunha.
But the ceremonies were not about awards and acceptance speeches, Durban’s International Conference Centre, venue of the show, resounded to electrifying live performances by Fally Ipupa, Michael Lowman, Don Jazzy, DJ Clock, Beatenberg, DJ Kent, Big Nuz, Toofan, D’Banj, DJ Vigi, DJ Tira, DJ Buckz, Burna Boy, Sauti Sol, Ice Prince, Sarkodie, The Arrows, Khuli Chana, Dr Sid, French Montana, Miguel, Trey Songz, Davido, Uhuru, Mafikizolo, Oskido, Professor, Tiwa Savage, Flavour, Diamond, Phyno and Yuri da Cunha.
Giving boost to the event were the newly introduced lifestyle categories, such as the Personality of the Year, which went to Kenyan actress and Oscars winner, Lupita Nyong’o, and MTV Base Leadership award, won by Tanzanian entrepreneur, Ashish J. Thakkar.
Other highlights of the evening included a moving acoustic guitar tribute to the late Nelson Mandela by Afro-Soul star Simphiwe Dana, who performed in front of a giant time-lapse video artwork by street artiste Rasty, while Ladysmith Black Mambazo also excited the crowd with their unexpected mash up “Acappello” and “Y-tjukutja”.
Show anchor, Marlon Wayans, a notable actor and stand-up comic made a triumphant entrance on a dazzling rickshaw and engaging the audience with his easy charm. Celebrity guests who handed out the glittering new MAMA trophy at the show included French Montana, D’Banj, Nomzamo Mbatha, Goldfish, DJ Fresh, John Vlismas, Kajal Bagwandeen, Emmanuel Adebayo, DJ Edu, Minnie Dlamini, Sizwe Dhlomo, Dorcas Shola Fapson, DJ C’ndo, Efya, Omotola and Riaad Moosa.
The show returned this year, after a three-year- break, with support from KwaZulu-Natal, a leading destination for tourism, economic development and cultural experiences in South Africa.
WINNERS AT A GLANCE:
Best Male: Davido (Nigeria)
Best Female: Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
Best Group: Mafikizolo (South Africa)
Best New Act: Stanley Enow (Cameroon)
Best Live Act: Flavour (Nigeria)
Best Collaboration: “Y-tjukutja” – Uhuru Ft. Oskido, DJ Bucks, Professor and Yuri Da Cunha (South Africa/Angola)
Best Hip Hop: Sarkodie (Ghana)
Best Alternative: Gangs of Ballet (South Africa)
Best Francophone: Toofan (Togo)
Best Lusophone: Anselmo Ralph (Angola)
Artist of the Year: Davido (Nigeria)
Song of the Year: “Khona” – Mafikizolo ft Uhuru (South Africa)
Best Video: Clarence Peters (Nigeria)
Best Pop: Goldfish (South Africa)
Best International: Pharrell
Personality of the Year: Lupita Nyong’o (Kenya)
MTV Base Leadership Award: Ashish J. Thakkar (Tanzania)
Transform Today Award by Absolut: Clarence Peters (Nigeria)