MTV Africa Music Awards 2021: All the nominees

The MAMAs, which are in their seventh edition, will feature performances from leading African and international artists. The event will be in partnership with Uganda’s Ministry of Tourism.

“These nominees represent some of the very best talent the continent has to offer,” ViacomCBS Networks Africa senior vice-president and general manager Monde Twala said. “The MAMA is a great showcase and opportunity for African music along with youth culture to shine on the global stage. Congratulations to all the nominees who continue to push the boundaries of creativity and authenticity. We are proud of your contribution to the continent’s music industry in taking Africa to the world. It’s a celebration not to be missed.”

The organisers have introduced two new categories, namely Best Ugandan Act and Alone Together: Best Lockdown Performance. The Best Ugandan Act Award recognises the host country’s rising talent while the Alone Together: Best Lockdown Performance Award aims to reflect on the unique reality of the music scene in 2020.

Voting is under way and the public can vote via the MAMAs official website.

The 20 February ceremony will be broadcast on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and MTV Africa (DStv Channel 130).

This is a dynamic article and the nominees will be released in batches.

Below is the list of nominees:

Listeners' Choice

• Anna Joyce – Angola
• ASAPH – Zimbabwe
• Dagi D – Ethiopia
• DBN Gogo & DJ Dinho – South Africa
• Didi B – Cote D'Ivoire
• Drizilik – Sierra Leone
• Focalistic – South Africa
• Khaligraph Jones – Kenya
• Locko – Cameroon
• Malome Vector – Lesotho
• Meddy – Rwanda
• Mohamed Ramadan – Egypt
• Ngaaka Blindé – Senegal
• Pallaso – Uganda
• Rayvanny – Tanzania
• Sarkodie – Ghana
• Shirazee – Benin
• Slick Stuart & DJ Roja – Uganda
• Souhila Ben Lachhab – Algeria
• Tiwa Savage – Nigeria

Best Collaboration

• 'Shekere' – Yemi Alade and Angelique Kidjo
• 'Jerusalem Remix' – Burna Boy, Master KG and Nomcebo Zikode
• 'Smile' – Wizkid ft. H.E.R
• 'Monsters You Made' – Burna Boy and Chris Martin
• 'Already' – Beyoncé, Shatta Wale and Major Lazer

Best Alternative

• Adenkule Gold (Nigeria)
• Simi (Nigeria)
• Ami Faku (South Africa)
• Amaarae (Ghana)
• Afrotronix (Chad)
• Matata (Kenya)

Best Fan Base Award

• Naira Marley (Nigeria)
• A Reece (South Africa)
• Wizkid (Nigeria)
• Eddy Kenzo (Uganda)
• Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
• Nadia Mukami (Kenya)
• Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
• Serge Beynaud (Ivory Coast)
• Shatta Wale (Ghana)
• Fally Ipupa (DRC)

Best International Act

• The Weeknd (Canada)
• Da Baby (US)
• Drake (Canada)
• Meg Thee Stallion (US)
• Dj Khaled (US)
• Beyoncé (US)

Personality of the Year and Song of the Year

• Siya Kholisi (South Africa)
• Zozibini Tunzi (South Africa)
• Sadio Mane (Senegale)
• Elsa Majimbo (Kenya)
• Mark Angel (Nigeria)
• Yvonne Orji (Nigeria)

Song of the Year

• 'Mapara A Jazz' – John Vuli Gate ft. Ntosh Gazi & Colano 
• 'Amanikiniki' – MFR Souls ft. Major League DJs 
• 'Jeruselema' – Master KG ft. Nomcebo Zikode 
• 'Suzanne' – Sauti Sol 
• 'Monster You Made' – Burna Boy ft. Chris Martin 
• 'Te Amo' – Calema 
• 'Jeje' – Diamond Platnumz 
• 'Munda Awo' – B2C Ent 
• 'Nobody' – DJ Neptune ft. Joeboy & Mr Eazi 
• 'Fem' – Davido 
• 'Olandi' – Innoss'B 
• 'Duduke' – Simi 

Best Female

• Simi (Nigeria)
• Sheebah (Uganda)
• Sho Madjozi (South Africa)
• Busiswa (South Africa)
• Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
• Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
• Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)

Best Male

• Burna Boy (Nigeria)
• Innoss’B (DRC)
• Kabza De Small (South Africa)
• Harmonize (Tanzania)
• Fireboy DML (Nigeria)
• Master KG (South Africa)
• Rema (Nigeria)

 Best Group

• Blaq Diamond (South Africa)
• Sauti Sol (Kenya)
• Kabza De Small/DJ Maphorisa (South Africa)
• Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe)
• Ethic (Kenya)
• Rostam (Tanzania)

 Artist of the Year

• Burna Boy (Nigeria)
• Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe)
• Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
• Master KG (South Africa)
• Davido (Nigeria)
• Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
• Wizkid (Nigeria)

 Best Breakthrough Act

• Elaine (South Africa)
• Tems (Nigeria)
• Omah Lay (Nigeria)
• Zuchu (Tanzania)
• John Blaq (Uganda)
• Sha Sha (Zimbabwe)
• Focalistic (South Africa)

 Best Hip Hop 

• Nasty C (South Africa)
• Suspect 95 (Cote d’Ivoire)
• Khaligraph Jones (Kenya)
• Kwesi Arthur (Ghana)
• NGA (Angola)
• OMG (Senegal)

 Best Ugandan Act

• Sheebah
• Bebe Cool
• John Blaq
• Vinka
• Daddy Andre
• Spice Diana

 Best Lusophone Act

• Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe)
• Preto Show (Angola)
• Anna Joyce (Angola)
• Mr Bow (Mozambique)
• Nelson Freitas (Cape Verde)
• Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)

Best Francophone Act

• Innoss’B (DRC)
• Suspect 95 (Cote d’Ivoire)
• Dip Doundou Guiss (Senegal)
• Stanley Enow (Cameroon)
• Fally Ipupa (DRC)
• Gaz Mawete (DRC)

Alone Together: Best Lockdown Performance

• Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) – Africa Day Benefit Concert
• Black Motion (South Africa) – Red Bull Rendezvous
• Niniola ft Busiswa (Nigeria/SA) – Africa Day Benefit Concert
• Singuila (Congo) – DCDR Series
• AKA (South Africa) – AKA TV
• Yemi Alade (Nigeria) – Poverty (live session)