Thirty-five artists have received nominations in the 2010 MAMAs.  The MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) with Zain is organised by MTV Africa to celebrate and champion Africa’s contemporary music heroes.

Fally Ipupa from the DRC received the most nominations (5), P_Square followed with 3 nominations while 2face, Banky W, Lizha James and Wande Coal each received 2 nominations.  Lizha James was the most nominated female artiste. This will be the third edition of the annual awards ceremony, held previously in Abuja, Nigeria (2008) and Nairobi, Kenya (2009).

The nominees for the MAMA 2010 were announced 30 October 2010 at a VIP soirée at De Marquee, Victoria Island, Lagos, where guests listened to DJ Jimmy Jatt and watched performances by 2face, Mo Cheddah and Sasha while sipping cocktails courtesy of Hennessy.

The winners for MAMA 2010 will be revealed on 11 December 2010 at the Eko Expo Hall, Lagos where the event will hold while MAMA Legend will be announced earlier.

The winners of MAMA 2010 will be chosen by members of the public and music fans voting online and via SMS, except Best Video and MAMA Legend which are chosen by MTV.

This year, award will be given out in twelve categories: Artist of the Year, Best Male, Best Female, Best Group, Best Video, Song of the Year, Best Anglophone, Best Francophone, Best Lusophone, Brand:New, Best International and MAMA Legend.

Confirmed performers at MAMA 2010 include Banky W (Nigeria), Daddy Owen (Kenya), Teargas (South Africa), Fally Ipupa (DRC), 2FACE (Nigeria), DJ Arafat (Ivory Coast) and Cabo Snoop (Angola).

Each MAMA winner receives an iconic bronze MAMA ‘microphone’ trophy depicting a retro-modern microphone rising out of a globe, with the African continent positioned symbolically at the top of the world.