Big stars to sizzle at Mamas

In Durban, R&B singers Miguel, Trey Songz and French Montana will be serenading the crowd at the MTV Base Africa Music Awards (Mamas).

Montana, who is accompanied by girlfriend and reality star Khloe Kardashian,  joins the star-studded line-up of previously announced African artists, including Miguel, Davido, Mafikizolo, Uhuru, Flavour, Oskido and Tiwa Savage.

Tied for first place in the nominations were South African artists Mafikizolo and Uhuru, and Nigerian artist Davido, who each scored four nominations while going directly head-to-head for Song of the Year, Artist of the Year and Best Collaboration.  Following closely behind with three nominations each were Nigerian artists P Square (Best Group, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year), South Africa’s Mi Casa (Best Group, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year), and Angolan artist Yuri Da Cunha (Song of the Year, Best Lusophone and Best Collaboration). 

Kiernan Jordan Forbes, better known as AKA. Image courtesy: Facebook/dapo.oyebanjo.71

South African rappers AKA and Khuli Chana will be going head to head for Best Hip Hop Award at the Mamas tonight. The rappers
are nominated along with Nigerians Ice Prince and Olamide and Ghana’s Sarkodie.

But AKA, who is in Durban for the awards is feeling confident. “The competition is tough, but I think I stand a good chance of taking this award,” he said.

“I’ve always aimed at being the best rapper on the continent and this award would mean that my peers acknowledge me as such.”

The awards, hosted by Marlon Wayans, will be broadcast live across Africa at 9pm on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and MTV (DStv Channel 130).

Singer Timbaland performs on stage at the “Chime For Change: The Sound Of Change Live” Concert at Twickenham Stadium on June 1, 2013 in London, England. Chime For Change is a global campaign for girls’ and women’s empowerment founded by Gucci with a founding committee comprised of Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini, Salma Hayek Pinault and Beyonce Knowles-Carter. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images for Gucci)

Meanwhile  Timbaland’s collaboration with Castle Lite Extra Cold Music will see hip hop maestros Nas and Wiz Khalifa on stage with local heavyweights Reason, Black Coffee and Zakes Bantwini at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Saturday. Rumour has it that fans at the show will be treated to the first ever live Nas and Khalifa collaboration.

Singer Brandy Norwood was also meant to be headlining the 20 Years of Freedom Concert with Jaheim and Zahara, but the show has been “postponed indefinitely,” according to Metro FM’s Happy Ngidi, whose organisation is a media partner for the concert. The concert, which would have been a celebration of Norwood’s 20 years in the music industry, was also meant to take place today in Johannesburg.

There’s no doubt that Norwood is one of the leading voices in R&B, but she is simply not as current as the likes of Miguel and Trey Songz, who have both released hot singles recently. Nas is a rap legend, with a huge following in South Africa. And the Castle Lite Extra Cold Music Concert will also be offering much more in terms of some of this country’s biggest local acts.

Singer Brandy performing during the SA Sports Awards from Sun City Superbowl on August 21, 2011 in Rustenburg, South Africa. (Photo by Frennie Shivambu/Gallo Images/Getty Images)