African stars dazzle at MTV Africa awards with Zain

Nameless (Kenya) and M.I. (Nigeria) were the big winners of the evening at the MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain. The two artists took home two trophies each at the pan-African music celebration, held at the Moi International Sports Complex, Kasarani, Kenya on 10 October 2009.

Nameless won the coveted Best Male artist category at the Awards, which honours and celebrates Africa’s contemporary music stars, as well as the Listener’s Choice category which recognizes the biggest radio hits of the year. M.I. clinched an impressive duo, scoring for Best New Act and Best Hip Hop.

According to a statement issued in Dar es Salaam this week by Zain Tanzania, best Female went to Kenyan star Amani, making it two in a row for Kenyan female performers after Wahu’s win in Abuja in 2008.

Ghanaian star Samini put dancehall firmly on the map with a win for Best Performer, a fitting tribute to his trademark high energy live performances. Artist of the Year went to D’Banj – showing the Nigerian star remains at the top of his game after a triple win in 2008 and his MTV Europe Music Awards win in 2007.

African artists scored three awards: MAMA Legend (Lucky Dube), HHP (Best Video) and Zebra & Giraffe (Best Alternative). Host Wyclef Jean set the uplifting tone for the evening with an electrifying live set including monster hits ‘Sweetest Girl’, ‘No Woman No Cry‘ and ‘Ready or Not’.

Hip hop phenomenon Akon, making a long anticipated trip to Kenya, rose to the challenge, rousing the crowd with a show-stopping version of his track, Beautiful.

Dr Saad Al Barrak, CEO of Zain, the co-sponsor of the MAMAs, said the evening confirmed the huge talent that Africa possesses and the influence it had upon the world of music. “Much of the music we listen to today has its roots in this great continent.

I cannot emphasize strongly enough what a privilege it is for Zain to lend its name to such an event. In doing so, we are both keeping alive the flame of Africa’s cultural consciousness and delivering on our promise to bring you “A wonderful world.”

In keeping with the show’s purpose of bringing Africa together, the MAMA awards featured multiple collaborations between artists from different countries and music genres mixing up hip hop with R&B, alternative, soul and dancehall.

Among the collaborations thrilling the 4,000 strong crowd was a three way tie-up featuring HHP, Brickz and 2FACE, and a stunning collaboration between Kenyan divas Amani and Wahu and Tanzania’s A.Y., plus a dramatic hip-hop/rock mash-up between Zebra & Giraffe and Da LES. The evening closed with a moving performance of Michael Jackson’s crowd pleaser ‘Wanna Be Starting Something,’ with Akon and all the other performers.