The nominees for the highly acclaimed MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) have been announced ahead of the awards ceremony in Kampala, Uganda, on 20 February.

The first batch of nominees is made up of fifty-two MAMA Kampala 2021 nominees across ten categories.

The organisers have introduced two new exciting categories, namely Best Ugandan Act and Alone Together: Best Lockdown Performance. The Best Ugandan Act Award recognises the host country’s rising talent while the Alone Together: Best Lockdown Performance Award aims to reflect on the unique reality of the music scene in 2020.

Burna Boy, Busiswa, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Kabza De Small, Sho Madjozi, Master KG and more are just a few of the nominees.

The MAMAs seventh edition, will feature performances from leading African and international artists.

The second round of nominations, including “Best Collaboration”, “Best International, Personality of the Year”, “Best Alternative Act”, “Best Fan Base Award” and “Song of the Year” will be revealed from the 5 January 2021 on MTV Base. Fans can vote for their favourite artists on MTV MAMAs Website.

The MAMAs seventh edition, will feature performances from leading African and international artists.

Here is the full first batch list of nominees for MAMA Kamapala 2021:

MAMA 2021 Award Categories 1- 10

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 Concert
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)