Award winning dancehall artiste, Stonebwoy, is billed to perform at this year’s MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) scheduled for the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, today.
The event, which will host the crème de la crème in African music, will also have other artistes such as P -Square, Flavour and Seyi Shay treating the patrons to good music.
This year’s event, dubbed Evolution, is not just the platform to honour and throw spotlight on African artistes and their music, but it will also be an occasion for Africans to celebrate the life of the late Nelson Mandela since the occasion falls on his birthday, July 18.
But for most Ghanaians, the event is another opportunity for our artistes to lift the flag of Ghana high on an international stage.
Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Fuse ODG and Samini have been nominated in the various categories. The 2014 BET Best International Act, Africa winner, Stonebwoy, is in the run for the Best New Act category while Sarkodie is competing for the Best Male category.
The Rapperholic lyricist, Sarkodie, will face South Africa’s AKA, Diamond (Tanzania), and Nigeria’s Wizkid and Davido while Stonebwoy will seek to beat Anna Joyce from Angola, Cassper Nyovest from South Africa, Duncan (South Africa), and Patoranking (Nigeria).
The MAMAs stage is not new to Sarkodie. He won the Best Hip Hop Artiste at last year’s event.
The other Ghanaians nominated for this year’s awards are UK-based Ghanaian musician, Fuse ODG, for Best Pop & Alternative category and High Grade family boss, Samini, is also “rivalling” the likes of 2Face (Nigeria), Anselmo Ralph (Angola), Asa (Nigeria), Black Coffee (South Africa), Chameleone (Uganda), D’Banj (Nigeria), Fally Ipupa (DRC), HHP (South Africa), and P-Square (Nigeria) for the “Evolution” award.
The “Evolution” award is a new category set up by the organisers to honour established artistes who have made a mark on African and global music scene with their works.
Established in 2008, the MAMAs has celebrated the most popular contemporary music in Africa.
This year’s event is being sponsored by KwaZulu-Natal Province in association with Absolut Vodka and in partnership with the City of Durban.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Accra based radio station, YFM, has assured its listeners that it will be giving live updates on the event.
According to the statement, host of Y Lounge, Caroline Simpson, and presenter of Kumasi YFM’s, NYDJ, will steer affairs from the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC).
