NASTY C, YEMI ALADE & BABES WODUMO TO LIGHT UP THE STAGE AT THE MTV AFRICA MUSIC AWARDS JOHANNESBURG 2016

GET YOUR TICKET FOR HOTLY ANTICIPATED AWARDS SHOW FROM TICKETPRO, 7 SEPTEMBER 2016

Johannesburg/Lagos, 7 September 2016: African stars Yemi Alade, Nasty C and Babes Wodumo are to dazzle fans with electrifying performances at Joburg’s first ever edition of the MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016 (MAMA).

The MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016, brought to you by Joburg Tourism in partnership with Absolut and Google and in association with MTN and DStv, will take place at The Ticketpro Dome, Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday 22 October 2016.

Highlighting the “gold standard” in contemporary music, creativity and achievement, The MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016 promises to be the biggest and best ever, with more than 15,000 fans expected to fill out the Ticketpro Dome for the unique celebration. Tickets for the awards go on sale on 7 September priced ZAR 250 (standing only) via www.ticketpro.co.za, and at Ticketpro retail outlets or dealers. Over 18s only.

The definitive annual celebration of African and international talent and achievement, MAMA 2016 recognises and rewards musicians and achievers who have made the most impact on African music and youth culture over the previous year. The ceremony will feature stunning performances from African and international artists along with the show’s signature cross-genre and cross-border collaborations

MAMA 2016 will celebrate African talent across 18 award categories, including Best Male, Best Female, Best Song and Best Collaboration in partnership with Absolut. The contribution of artists from Portuguese and French-speaking Africa will also be recognised in the Best Lusophone and Best Francophone categories. Additional categories include the Africa Re-Imagined Award and Personality of the Year. The nominations for the awards will be revealed on 21 September in Johannesburg, and in Lagos on 2 October.

Celebrating the pan-African scope of the MAMA, the awards will encompass two stunning Road to MAMA events featuring MAMA nominees and superstar DJs, to be held in Durban and Lagos. Another much-anticipated element of MAMA 2016 will be a music industry workshop for aspiring musicians held on the day prior to the awards (21 October).

First staged in 2008, the MTV Africa Music Awards has recognised the talent of musicians, achievers and personalities from across Africa, rewarding iconic artists and gamechangers such as 2Face Idibia, Big Nuz, Cassper Nyovest, Davido, D’Banj, Flavour, Gangs of Ballet, HHP, Fally Ipupa, Liquideep, Mafikizolo, Lira, Nameless, Lupita Nyong’o, Clarence Peters, Diamond Platnumz, Anselmo Ralph, Sarkodie, P-Square, Tiwa Savage, Cabo Snoop, Toofan, Trevor Noah, Zebra & Giraffe, Uhuru, Wahu, Yemi Alade, and many more.

The MTV Africa Music Awards 2016 will broadcast live on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and MTV (DStv Channel 130) on Saturday 22 October at 21:00 CAT. The show will also be transmitted worldwide on partner stations and content platforms from October onwards, while MTV channels around the world will broadcast a one-hour MAMA-themed MTV World Stage.

For more information on the 2016 MTV Africa Music Awards, like MTV Base Africa on Facebook, or follow on Twitter and Instagram @MTVBaseAfrica. To join the conversation about the awards please use the hashtag#MTVMAMA2016.

MAMA 2016 Award Categories

1.     Best Male
2.     Best Female
3.     Best Group
4.     Best Breakthrough Act
5.     Best Live Act
6.     Best Francophone
7.     Best Lusophone
8.     Best Pop/Alternative
9.     Best Hip Hop in association with MTN
10.   Best International Act
11.   Legend Award
12.   Best Collaboration in partnership with Absolut
13.   Video of the Year
14.   Song of the Year in partnership with Google
15.   Artist of the Year
16.   Personality of the Year
17.   MTV Base Africa Re-Imagined Award
18.   Listener's Choice