By Benjamin Njoku

If there’s one thing that those who attended this year’s MTV Africa Music Awards went home with, it’s the fact that the project  has sustained its laudable mission of shining global spotlight on African music and creativity. Like the previous editions, this year’s MAMA, which held amidst pomp last Saturday in Durban, South Africa, was a re-affirmation of the  organizers’ resolve to use the platform to promote peace and unity in Africa.

The project, which started five years ago, has  indeed, grown in leaps and bounds, bringing both African  and international music stars in one venue to celebrate their creativity. According to Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks(VIMN) Africa, organizers of the awards ceremony, “Africa is a continent of the now and the future; tonight was a testament to that.

MAMA 2015 represented and reflected the abundant amount of creativity and passion this continent breeds.”

Describing MTV Base’s journey after ten years as “amazing”, Okosi said, “We have helped to redefine the African youth, culture, space and music. We worked so hard to elevate our continent to the global audience, creating more camaraderie  within the African continent, where we have African artistes come together to perform beyond their local performances, do collaborations with their counterparts from other countries of Africa. It’s quite incredible and we want to continue in that trend,using our platform to promote youth culture and music in Africa.”

The awards ceremony, which strives to unite Africans through music, temporarily brought the coastal city of Durban, to a standstill. It had A-list artistes from across the continent shining brightly on the night which was dedicated to the celebration of the best of the best in African music scene.

Nigeria dominated this year’s MAMA again, carting away seven awards. These went to P-Square (Artiste/Group of the Decade), D’Banj (Mama Evolution), Mavins (Song of the Year), Patoranking (Best New Act), Davido (Best Male Act) and Yemi Alade (Best Female Act). Davido won the same award last year. The ‘Aye’ crooner beat his South African counterpart, AKA, Diamond from Tanzania, Ghanaian Sarkodie and Wizkid to clinch the trophy.

Other winners were Diamond Platnumz (Best Live), DJ Arafat (Best Francophone), Ary (Best Lusophone), Nicki Minaj (Best International Act), Sibusiso Mavundla and Saran Kaba Jones (MTV Base leadership award). South Africa and Nigeria shared this year’s Best collaboration award which went to AKA, Das Les, JR and Burna Boy for the song “All Eyes On Me.”

OC Ukeje and his South African colleagues at 2015 MAMA Awards

The contribution of artistes from Portuguese and French-speaking Africa was also recognized in the Best Lusophone and Best Francophone categories which went to Ary (Angola) and DJ Arafat (Ivory Coast) respectively.

Hosted by Emmy award nominated actor, Anthony Anderson, the awards coincided with Mandela Day. Anderson held the 5,000 audience that thronged the event venue spell bound with his lively humour, engaging charisma and unexpected outfit changes.

American acts Ne-Yo and Jhené Aiko were the headlining acts. But it was African singers including  AKA, Bucie, K.O, Black Motion, P-Square, Cassper Nyovest, Black Motion and Diamond Platnumz who set the stage on fire with their electrifying performances.

On the red carpet, Bonang and D’banj made  their romance public as they stepped out together, walking the red carpet and locking lips during the live broadcast. Apart from the awards presentation, the event was spiced up with performances. One of the memorable performances on the night, was the one involving American singer, Ne-Yo and our own Seyi Shay.

The two singers got the audience screaming with excitement as they performed a rehearsed duet of Ne-Yo’s ‘Coming With You’ track.  Also, 2face, performed his evergreen song, “African Queen”,alongside  South African RnB and House singer, Bucie. His performance got everyone dancing and singing along with him.

Thereafter, Yemi Alade pairing up with a Kenyan Afro-pop band, took the stage and gave a remarkable performance. But a glowing stint came from D’banj and  Artist of the Decade winners, P-Square, featuring hit tracks “Personally”, and “Shekini.” D’banj’s performing his “O’liver Twist” song set the stage on fire, leaving the audience yearning for more.

It was a colourful event which was dotted with electrifying performances and unique collaborations, thus lighting up the serene atmosphere that pervades the coastal city of Durban.