News:- MTV Africa Music Awards 2016 to Hold in Johannesburg

The MTV Africa Music Awards 2016 will take place in Johannesburg South Africa. The definitive annual celebration of African and international talent and achievement, MAMA 2016 recognises and rewards musicians and achievers who have made the most impact on African music and youth culture over the previous year. The ceremony will feature stunning performances from African and international artistes along with the show's signature cross-genre and cross-border collaborations.

MAMA 2016 will celebrate African talent across 17 award categories, including Best Male, Best Female, Best Song and Best Collaboration by Absolut. The contribution of artistes from Portuguese and French-speaking Africa will also be recognised in the Best Lusophone and Best Francophone categories. Additional categories include the Africa Re-Imagined Award and Personality of the Year. The nominations for the awards will be revealed in September 2016.

Speaking, Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks Africa, said "We are thrilled that the MTV Africa Music Awards will be taking place in Johannesburg, City of Gold, for the first time on 22 October. We are looking forward to staging the largest awards show in Africa, in one of the continent's most vibrant cities. Noted for its exciting youth culture and rich music scene, Joburg will make the perfect backdrop for our biggest MAMA ever."

Nabintu Petsana, Head of Joburg Tourism, commented: "We are thrilled to welcome MAMA 2016 to Joburg for the first time, and look forward to hosting this extraordinary cultural experience which will play a key part in enhancing Joburg's profile on the international stage. In line with Joburg Tourism's Domestic Tourism Awareness Campaign [#Welcome2Jozi] which encourages locals to go the extra mile in showing all our visitors a good time, this event provides an ideal opportunity to remind Joburgers that 'Leisure is Our Tourism Business', contributing significantly to our local economy."

Added Melanie Campbell, Head of Marketing: White Spirits and Rum, Pernod-Ricard, "We are very excited and proud to be collaborating with the MTV Africa Music Awards once again for the ultimate showcase in African talent; ABSOLUT sets itself apart by challenging conventions and pushing boundaries of contemporary culture through creative collaborations with cutting-edge artists. This year we will see the brand celebrating artists who are original and aspire to greater heights through the power of collaboration. The Best Collaboration Award in association with Absolut honours the African musicians, achievers and trailblazers who source add, curate and collaborate the music we love. Absolut is ready to rock Jozi."

Monde Twala, Vice President, BET, Youth& Music, VIMN Africa, continued, "The sixth edition of the MAMA promises to be our biggest and most ambitious yet. All roads will lead to the TicketPro Dome for an explosive evening of spectacle and music, while millions of music fans will enjoying the TV broadcast. Our viewers are passionate about African music and achievement, and we look forward to channelling and conveying that passion to an international audience."

Celebrating the pan-African scope of the MAMA, the awards will encompass two stunning Road to MAMA events featuring MAMA nominees and superstar DJs, to be held in Durban and Lagos. Another much-anticipated element of MAMA 2016 will be a music industry workshop for aspiring musicians held on the day prior to the awards (21 October).

First staged in 2008, the MTV Africa Music Awards has recognised the talent of musicians, achievers and personalities from across Africa, rewarding iconic artists and gamechangers such as 2Face Idibia, Big Nuz, Cassper Nyovest, Davido, D'Banj, Flavour, Gangs of Ballet, HHP, Fally Ipupa, Liquideep, Mafikizolo, Lira, Nameless, Lupita Nyong'o, Clarence Peters, Diamond Platnumz, Anselmo Ralph, Sarkodie, P-Square, Tiwa Savage, Cabo Snoop, Toofan, Trevor Noah, Zebra & Giraffe, Uhuru, Wahu, Yemi Alade, and many more.

MAMA 2016 Award Categories

Best Male

Best Female

Best Group

Best New Act

Best Live Act

Best Francophone

Best Lusophone

Best Pop/Alternative

Best Hip Hop

Best International

Legend Award

Best Collaboration in association with Absolut

Video of the Year

Song of the Year

Artist of the Year

Personality of the Year

MTV Base Africa Re-Imagined Award