The MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016 is brought to you by Joburg Tourism in partnership with Absolut Vodka and Google and in association with MTN and DStv.

Fifty MAMA nominees, including artists and achievers from 18 countries, were revealed in nine music and lifestyle award categories by Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa and MTV Base, channel 322 on DStv, at a reception at Constitution Hill, Johannesburg, South Africa on Wednesday, 21 September.

At the front of the field is Nigerian star Wizkid with three nominations including nods in Best Male, Best Collaboration, and Personality of the Year. Next in line with two nominations each are AKA (South Africa), Cassper Nyovest (South Africa) and Sauti Sol (Kenya). The Best Hip Hop category sees MAMA nominations for Emtee and Riky Rick of South Africa, who’ll be going head to head against Nigeria’s Olamide and Ycee, and Kiff No Beat (Ivory Coast). A battle of the bands is in store in the Best Group category where Ghana’s R2bees face off against Kenya’s Sauti Sol, South Africa’s Mi Casa, Navy Kenzo from Tanzania and Togolese duo, Toofan.

In the Personality of the Year category, Pearl Thusi goes up against soccer player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), middle-distance runner and Olympic gold medallist, Caster Semenya, blogger Linda Ikeji (Nigeria) and musician Wizkid (Nigeria).

The second round of nominations, comprising seven additional award categories, including Artist of the Year, Best Female, Listener’s Choice, Best Breakthrough, Best Francophone, Song of the Year in partnership with Google, and Video of the Year, will be revealed at the Hard Rock Café, Lagos, Nigeria during Road to MAMA – Lagos 2016 on Sunday, 2 October. No nominations will be revealed for the MTV Base Reimagined Award, and MAMA Legend.

Alex Okosi, senior vice president and managing director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, says; “The MAMA celebrates Africa’s incredible young musicians and trailblazers by breaking down barriers, driving engagement, and highlighting the continent’s rich and abundant talent. It’s an honour to be able to salute their achievements at MAMA 2016, and we offer our congratulations to all of the nominees as we look forward to the most exciting and diverse MAMA yet.”

For more information, visit www.mtvbase.com. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram using the #MTVMAMA2016 hashtag.