MAMA LINE-UP HEATS UP

Mo Cheddah

MTV & Airtel Confirm Performances by Sasha, Barbara Kanam, Sarkodie, Radio & Weasel, Paul G, The Parlotones, J. Martins & Diamond

Lagos/Johannesburg, 29 November 2010: MTV and Airtel have revealed more fantastic performers for the red hot MTV Africa Music Awards with Airtel (MAMA). Joining the stellar line-up of performers at MAMA 2010 on 11 December 2010 will be Sasha (Nigeria), Barbara Kanam (DRC), Sarkodie (Ghana), Radio & Weasel (Uganda), Paul G (Angola), The Parlotones (South Africa), J.Martins (Nigeria) and Diamond (Tanzania).

Nigerian hip hop queen Sasha and Congolese singer-songwriter Barbara Kanam (DRC) are both hot contenders in this year's “Best Female” award category, while Sarkodie - representing Ghana in the “Best Anglophone” category - is hoping to emulate fellow countryman Samini's 2009 win for “Best Live” performance. Ugandan dancehall chart-toppers Radio & Weasel are challenging P-Square (Nigeria), P-Unit (Kenya) and Teargas (South Africa) for the “Best Group” crown. Angolan rapper Paul G is competing in the “Best Anglophone” category while South African indie rock heroes The Parlotones and Nigeria's composer-producer-performer J.Martins are both doing battle for “Best Video”. Diamond, the celebrated R'n'B artist from Tanzania is pitched against Muthoni (Kenya), JoJo (Gabon) and Mo Cheddah (Nigeria) for the MAMA “Brand:New” award.

Among the many guest presenters gracing the podium at the Eko Expo Hall on 11 December will be Nigerian comedian Julius Agwu and South African 'It Girl' and socialite Khani Mbau.

Sarkodie (Ghana), Sasha (Nigeria), Diamond (Tanzania), Paul G (Angola), Barbara Kanam (DRC), Radio & Weasel (Uganda), The Parlotones (South Africa) and J.Martins (Nigeria) join previously announced performers Rick Ross (USA), P-Unit (Kenya), Jozi (South Africa), Wande Coal (Nigeria), DJ Arafat (Ivory Coast), 2FACE (Nigeria), Daddy Owen (Kenya), Banky W (Nigeria), Fally Ipupa (DRC), Teargas (South Africa) and Cabo Snoop (Angola).

For more news about the MTV Africa Music Awards with Airtel, visit www.mama.mtvbase.com or mtvmama.mobi, or follow MTV base Africa on Twitter and Facebook.

The MTV Africa Music Awards 2010 is sponsored by Airtel in association with MasterCard. Other partners supporting the MTV Africa Music Awards with Airtel include Arik Air and the Lagos State Government.

The nominees for the MTV Africa Music Awards with Airtel are:

Best Video

Fally Ipupa - Sexy dance (DRC)

P-Square f/t J. Martins- E No Easy (Nigeria)

The Parlotones - Life Design (South Africa)

Banky W - Strong Ting (Nigeria)

Brand:New

Mo Cheddah (Nigeria)
Diamond (Tanzania)
Muthoni (Kenya)
JoJo (Gabon)

Artist of The Year

2 Face (Nigeria)
P-Square (Nigeria)
Jozi (South Africa)
Fally Ipupa (DRC)

Song Of The Year

D'Banj - Fall In Love (Nigeria)
Liquideep - Fairytale (South Africa)
JR - Show Dem (South Africa)
Banky W - Lagos Party (Nigeria)

Best Anglophone