Hosted by a stealer Anthony Anderson, who just received an Emmy for his role in “Black-ish”, the awards coincided with Mandela Day. He captivated the 5,000-strong MAMA audience with his lively humour, engaging charisma and unexpected outfit changes.
American acts Ne-Yo and Jhené Aiko were the headlining acts. But it was African acts such as AKA, Bucie, K.O, Black Motion, P-Square, Cassper Nyovest, Black Motion and Diamond Platnumz who set the stage on fire.
A pleasant surprise was seeing blonde-haired Nigerian songbird Seyi Shay joins R&B crooner Ne-Yo during his performance.
Here is the MAMAs 2015 Winners List.
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: AKA, Burna Boy, Da LES & JR: “All Eyes On Me” (SA/Nigeria)
Song of the Year: Mavins: “Dorobucci” (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
Artist of the Decade: P-Square
MTV Base Leadership Award: Saran Kaba Jones & S’Bu Mavundla