it is few minutes to one of the biggest music awards in Africa- MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) . Already, top contemporary artistes from across the continent and beyond have been nominated in 15 different categories including Best Male, Best Female, Song of the Year and Artist of the Year and winners will emerge any time soon.

As stated on MTV Base, the official webiste organizer of the prestigious occasion, the program was designed to recognize and support young, emerging and original African creative talents who use their imagination to fuel social transformation and bring positive attention to the continent.

In the first place in the nominations were South African artists Mafikizolo and Uhuru, and Nigerian artist Davido, who each scored 4 nominations while going directly head-to-head for Song of the Year, Artist of the Year and Best Collaboration.  Following closely behind with 3 nominations each were Nigerian artists P Square (Best Group, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year), South Africa’s Mi Casa (Best Group, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year), and Angolan artist Yuri Da Cunha (Song of the Year, Best Lusophone and Best Collaboration).  Hot on their heels with two nods each were Angolan star Anselmo Ralph (Best Male, Best Lusophone), Nigeria’s Wizkid (Best Male, Best Collaboration); Gabonese artist Arielle T (Best Female, Best Francophone) and Diamond from Tanzania (Best Male, Best Collaboration).

Other artists from across the African contemporary music spectrum nominated for the awards included: 2Face, AKA, Amani, Beatenberg, Big Nuz, Burna Boy, Chidinma, Danny K, Diamond, DJ Buckz, DJ Clock, DJ C’ndo, DJ Ganyani, DJ Kent, The Arrows, Donald, Don Jazzy, Dr Malinga, Dr Sid, Efya, Espoir 2000, Fally Ipupa, FB, Ferre Gola, Flavour, Fuse ODG, Gangs of Ballet, Goldfish, Heavy K, Ice Prince, JD, KCEE, Khuli Chana, LCNVL, Lizha James, Matthew Mole, May D, Mi Casa, Michael Lowman, Nakhane Toure, Nelson Freitas, Olamide, Oskido, Professor, The Parlotones, Phyno, Radio and Weasel, R2bees, Sarkodie, Sauti Sol, Shortstraw, Stanley Enow, The Arrows, Tiwa Savage, Toofan, Uhuru, Youssoupha and Zakes Bantwini.