Uganda walked away empty handed at the MTV Africa Music Awards (Mamas) after our representatives Jose Chameleone and Bebe Cool were beaten to the coveted trophies in their respective categories.
It was a tall order for Chameleone who was in the Evolution award with nine other African stars who have shone bright and pushed the envelope of African music over the past decade. D-Banj won the category.
Bebe Cool was nominated in the Video of the Year and he lost out to Riky Rick’s Nafukwa in a video that was directed by Adrian Louw.
“I want to thank all my fans in Uganda,East Africa as a whole and the entire diaspora for the love and support rendered during this lovely race. There is always a next time as I always say what does not kill me only makes me stronger. Hard luck my bro Chameleone n let’s continue with what we do best,” Bebe Cool said after losing out on the award.
D’ Banj with his trophy. He beat Chameleone to the Mama Evolution Award.
“I congratulate DBanj for the #Mama Evolution Award @mtvbaseafrica the#Evolutionist for the outstanding contribution to Music Africa. Thanks everybody who casted their Vote on East Africa.We are the Legendary fore ones of today’s celebrated Africa music. Congratulations to all the nominees and Winners,” Jose Chameleone said.
At least our “muko” Diamond Platnumz represented East Africa, winning the Best Live Performance gong. Nigeria reigned supreme with Davido being named Male Artiste of The Year, while Yemi Alade was named the Best Female of The Year. Dorrobucci by the Mavin Records collective was named Song of the Year while P-Square took home the Artiste of The Decade Award.
Below is the full list of winners
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