Music came to a standstill across Africa on Saturday as P-Square were named MAMA Artiste of the Decade, making the duo of Peter and Paul Okoye living patron saints of popular music on the continent since 2005.
The twins were the biggest winners of the night as they also bagged the gong for Best Group.
Whoever advised them against their once rumoured breakup sure deserves a special recognition award.
With a total of seven individual awards, Nigerian stars shined brightly at the ceremony held at the Durban International Convention Centre, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Other winners included Yemi Alade and Davido, who took home the Best Male and Best Female awards, respectively, while hip hop star Cassper Nyovest nabbed the Best Hip Hop award. “Koko master”, D’Banj, won the MAMA Evolution award, a new category honouring established artistes who have made an indelible mark on African and global music culture, taken African music to new territories around the world, pushed the boundaries of creativity, and shaped the soundscape of contemporary Africa.
South African comedian Trevor Noah triumphed in Personality of the Year. Patoranking won Best New Act Transformed by Absolut, given in recognition of new and emerging artistes. Saran Kaba Jones and S’Bu Mavundla shared equal honours for the MTV Base Leadership award. There was no contesting Song of the Year with The Mavins for ‘Dorobucci’.
Stunning collaborations between artistes of different genres saw NE-YO take to the stage with Seyi Shay, 2Face collaborating with Bucie, Sauti Sol pairing up with Yemi Alade and Patoranking swapping beats with K.O. The show ended on a high with a jubilant medley mash-up by Artiste of the Decade winners P-Square, featuring hit tracks ‘Personally’, ‘Chop My Money’, ‘Alingo’ and ‘Shekini’. Other performers included DJ Fisherman, NaakmusiQ, DJ Tira, Anselmo Ralph, Danger from Big Nuz, Duncan, Burna Boy, Stonebwoy, Da LES, Diamond, Flavour, Toofan, D’Banj, Davido, Uhuru, Black Motion and Cassper Nyovest.
Emmy award nominated American actor, Anthony Anderson, captivated the 5,000-strong MAMA audience with his lively humour, engaging charisma and unexpected outfit changes – including a booty-licious transformation into Nicki Minaj, as he accepted the Best International Act award on her behalf.
MAMA 2015 coincided with South Africa’s celebration of the late Nelson Mandela’s birthday, a fact that was touched on by artistes in the show.
Check out the full list of winners below:
Best Female: Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
Best Male: Davido (Nigeria)
Best Group: P-Square (Nigeria)
Best New Act Transformed by Absolut: Patoranking (Nigeria)
Best Hip Hop: Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
Best Collaboration: ‘All Eyes On Me – AKA, Burna Boy, Da LES & JR (South Africa/Nigeria)
Song of the Year: Dorobucci – Mavins: (Nigeria)
Best Live: Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Video of the Year: Nafukwa – Riky Rick; Director: Adriaan Louw Best
Pop & Alternative: Jeremy Loops (South Africa)
Best Francophone: DJ Arafat (Ivory Coast)
Best Lusophone: Ary (Angola)
Personality of the Year: Trevor Noah (South Africa)
MAMA Evolution: D’Banj (Nigeria)
Best International: Nicki Minaj (USA)
MTV Base Leadership Award: Saran Kaba Jones & S’Bu Mavundla
Artiste of the Decade: P-Square (Nigeria)
