Highlights of the 2016 MAMAs

Highlights of the show

Many people raved about the headline act, US trap king Future, who transformed the Ticketpro Dome into a proper turn-up. But the night belonged to the African acts. South African rapper Nasty C definitely held his own alongside Future. As some fans commented on social media, Future was Nasty C’s opening act.

• Patoranking was dressed almost head to toe in the bright colours associated with his musical style. The reggae-dance hall singer gave an equally festive performance, bursting onto the stage with his ubiquitous hit, ‘My Woman, My Everything’. Not even his scantily clad dancers could steal his thunder, especially after he was joined on stage by Ghana’s Sarkodie for their anthem ‘No Kissing Baby’.
• Nigeria’s prince of pop gave an unrivalled performance on Saturday. Backed by a brass band and the Soweto Gospel Choir, Wizkid channeled his musical ancestor Fela Kuti as he thrilled the crowd with a show-stopping version of his megahit ‘Ojuelegba’. The Nigerian singer was later accompanied by his South African musical collaborators DJ Maphorisa and DJ Buckz for a rendition of  ‘Soweto Baby’. An eight-minute set wasn’t nearly enough. Wizkid was the big winner of the night. 

Pre-show highlights

On Friday journalists were invited to a workshop with various panelists from the music industry, who shared their experiences and advice. Later in the day, it was the turn of artists to give a preview of the show at a press conference. Here are our top moments from Friday.

Workshops

• Taiye Aliyu, Yemi Alade’s manager, revealed that she gave 600 performances for free before she made it big. At the time, the two were getting around town in a tuk-tuk (public taxi), he told the audience. “The lady does not sleep… She’s always telling me what she wants to do,” Aliyu said. Referring to their down-and-out times, he said: “There was no G-wagon, no private jet, no Gucci, no Fendi handbag.”
• Female musicians should earn more than men because of all the expenses they have to deal with, Alade later said during another panel discussion. There’s the hair, the make-up, the dress, PLUS the right underwear for the right dress, she explained.
• South African rapper Slikour said there are those who accept bribes in order to give artists airplay. But if you’re talented and working hard, you don’t need to worry about that, he said in response to a question.  
• Industry boss Refiloe Ramogase advised aspiring musicians to educate themselves. Ramogase said artists often ended up in trouble because they didn’t know enough about contracts and their rights. He said information about these topics is freely available in books. He also spoke about how, as rapper Khuli Chana’s manager, he was a fan of his music before he took charge of his career. He therefore urged those starting out to refine their product, so as to gain the respect and attention of the right people. Ramogase is the CEO of the South African Music Awards (SAMAs). He is also MD and director of Sony Music Entertainment.

Press conferences

• South African musicians Mdu and DJ Cleo made perhaps the most significant announcement of the 2016 MAMAs. They would be taking part in a tribute to kwaito legend Mandoza, who died in September after battling cancer. Even more importantly, the proceeds of their performance would go to Mandoza’s family.
• Angola’s C4 Pedro, who ended up being crowned best Lusophone act, shared his amusing insights on his native kizomba music. It’s really romantic music, he said. You can get into trouble if you dance to kizomba with someone else’s man/woman.