Full List: 2021 MTV Africa Music Awards Nominees

Top African musicians, including Sheebah Karungi, Burna Boy, Diamond Platnumz, John Blaq, Master KG, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade and WizKid – have scored nominations in the MTV Africa Music Awards.

São Tomé and Príncipe’s Calema leads the pack with three nominations for Artist of the Year, Best Group and Best Lusophone Act.

Fifty-two artists were picked from 15 countries and the nominee list was unveiled Wednesday evening.

There are 10 music categories in the competition that is being organized by MTV Base in partnership with Uganda.

In the Best Male category, Nigerians Burna Boy, Rema and Fireboy DML will face off against South African musos Kabza De Small and Master KG, as well as Tanzanian artist Harmonize, and Innoss’B from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The highly-contested Best Female category features fierce female competition and is led by Uganda’s Sheebah, Sho Madjozi and Busiswa from South Africa, Cape Verde’s Soraia Ramos and Simi, Yemi Alade and Tiwa Savage from Nigeria.

According to Monde Twala, the senior vice president and general manager at ViacomCBS Networks Africa (VCNA), the nominees represent some of the very best talent the continent has to offer.

“The MAMA is a great showcase and opportunity for African music along with youth culture to shine on the global stage,” Twala said.

“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.”

Two new categories have been announced for the MAMA Kampala 2021.

The first is the exciting entrant of the Best Ugandan Act, which recognizes the host country’s star and rising talent.

The nominees include Sheebah, Bebe Cool, John Blaq, Vinka, Daddy Andre, and Spice Diana.

The second new category inspired as a reflection of the unique reality of the music scene in 2020 is the Alone Together: Best Lockdown Performance.

“This is a milestone moment for Uganda to bring the MAMA Kampala 2021 to the African continent that presents a great opportunity to share the beauty and diversity of our magnificent nation, music and culture from the Pearl of Africa,” said Godfrey Kiwanda, Uganda’s state minister for tourism.

“The MAMA is a great platform to highlight the continent’s music and showcase the full spectrum of what the continent has to offer. We extend our congratulations to everyone who has been recognised with a nomination.”

Voting for MAMA KAMPALA 2021 opens at 22.00 CAT on Wednesday 9 December at www.mtvmama.com, and affiliated Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts.

The MTV Africa Music Awards Kampala 2021 will be broadcast on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and MTV Africa (DStv Channel 130) on 20 February 2021.

The show will also be aired on MTV channels across multiple continents as a one-hour MAMA-themed MTV World Stage feature.

MAMA 2021 Award Categories

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 (Democratic Republic of Congo)

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 (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Suspect 95 (Cote d’Ivoire)

Dip Doundou Guiss (Senegal)

Stanley Enow (Cameroon)

Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Gaz Mawete (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Alone Together: Best Lockdown Performance

Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) – Africa Day Benefit Concer

t 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)