The MTV Africa Music Awards is brought to audiences by KwaZulu-Natal in association with Absolut and The City of Durban. South Africa Tourism is also a key partner for the MAMA 2014.

French Montana joins the star-studded line-up of previously announced African artists, including Miguel, Davido, Mafikizolo, Uhuru, Flavour, Oskido and Tiwa Savage in the stunning music event and live telecast that will be broadcast around the world on MTV, MTV Base, BET International and affiliate stations.

Commented Alex Okosi, senior vice president and managing director, Viacom International Media Networks Africa, “We are thrilled that French Montana will be joining Miguel and Africa’s most exciting contemporary artists in KwaZulu-Natal in June for the MTV Africa Music Awards. MAMA 2014 is on track to be the most exciting music awards ceremony ever staged on the African continent.”

French Montana is one of the hottest artists on the contemporary hip hop scene. The Moroccan-born game-changer emigrated to The Bronx, New York, aged 13, and quickly acclimatised to life in the city thanks to his infatuation with hip hop.

Montana established himself in the hip hop genre in 2002 when he began releasing his Cocaine City series of DVDs which featured interviews with established hip hop artists and unsigned talent.

In 2011, his single Shot Caller became a runaway smash, earning major airplay across the nation and certifying Montana as the next big rapper out of New York City. Since then Montana has gone on to release smash hits which include Pop That, Freaks and Ain’t Worried About Nothin from his debut album, Excuse My French, which has established him as one of the most sought after artists in hip hop today.

Celebrating musicians and achievers who have made the most impact on African youth culture throughout the year, MAMA 2014 takes place at the ICC, Durban on Saturday, 7 June. For the first time ever, the awards is premiering live across Africa on MTV Base,c hannel 322 and MTV, channel 130 on DStv at 21:00.

MAMA 2014 is set to feature stunning performances from African and international artists, including the awards’ signature collaborations between artists of different genres and cultures – a high point of every show. The show will be amplified on radio by media partners Gagasi FM, Yfm and Capricorn FM.

Nominees from the length and breadth of sub-Saharan Africa are represented in the nominations for the 2014 music categories, including 2Face, AKA, Amani, Amr Singh, Anselmo Ralph, Arielle T, Beatenberg, Big Nuz, Burna Boy, Chidinma, Clarence Peters, Danny K, Davido, 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, Kyle Lewis, LCNVL, Lizha James, Mafikizolo, Matthew Mole, May D, Mi Casa, Michael Lowman, Nakhane Toure, Nelson Freitas, Olamide, Oskido, P Square, Professor, The Parlotones, Phyno, Radio and Weasel, R2bees, Sarkodie, Sauti Sol, Shortstraw, Stanley Enow, Tiwa Savage, Toofan, Uhuru, Wizkid, Youssoupha, Yuri Da Cunha, and Zakes Bantwini.

In the newly introduced lifestyle award categories, Chimamanda Adiche, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Trevor Noah, Lupita Nyong’o and Yaya Toure are nominated for Personality of the Year. Clarence Peters, Leti Arts, Rasty and Anisa Mpungwe are nominated in Transform Today by Absolut. The nominees for the MTV Base Leadership Award and Best International are still to be revealed.

With hundreds of thousands of votes already cast, public voting for 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards continues online at www.mtvbase.com until Midnight on Wednesday, 4 June. The winners of the MTV Base Leadership Award and Best Video are chosen exclusively by MTV Base. Voting for Song of the Year continues up until the show on Saturday, 7 June.

Tickets for the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards are on sale at www.computicket.com, on 0861 915 8000 and at Computicket retail outlets. Seated tickets cost R450 (incl. VAT) while general access (standing) tickets are R200 (incl. VAT).

For more information on the MTV Africa Music Awards, supported by Absolut and The City of Durban, visit www.mtvbase.com. Alternatively, visit and like the Facebook page, here or follow on Twitter, here.