Star-studded performances set to rock the MAMAs stage

The Ticketpro Dome, Johannesburg venue of the event will be graced by Nigerian afropop giant Wizkid, who is this year’s most nominated MAMA artist. The 'Ojuelegba' singer has had major buzz through the year and is included on the nominee list released by the 2017 American Music Award organisers for his part on Canadian rapper Drake's ‘One Dance.'

Other acts scheduled to perform include Angolan kizomba king C4 Pedro, Kenyan afropop hitmakers Sauti Sol, and top South African house producer DJ Maphorisa, who co-produced the Wizkid/Drake hit.

Previously announced African performers include Emtee, Kwesta, Patoranking, Alikiba, Babes Wodumo, Cassper Nyovest, Nasty C, Ycee and Yemi Alade.

Wizkid is nominated for six MAMAs this year: Song of the Year (two nominations) Artist of the Year, Best Male and Personality of the Year. Kenyan quartet Sauti Sol notched up four nominations, including Best Group, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Collaboration for ‘Unconditionally Bae’ featuring Alikiba.

C4 Pedro is up against the continent’s best Portuguese-speaking artists in the Best Lusophone category, alongside countrymen NGA and Preto Show, Mozambique’s Lizha James and Nelson Frietas (Cape Verde). DJ Maphorisa is in the running for Song of the Year and Best Collaboration for “Soweto Baby” featuring Wizkid.

The show is the biggest award night in African music and will be headlined by American rapper Future.

South African comedian Trevor Noah, who is now based in New York as host of The Daily Show, will anchor what is thesixth edition of the MAMAs.

“Highlighting the gold standard in contemporary music, creativity and achievement, The MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016 promises to be the biggest and best ever, with music lovers partying up a storm at the Ticketpro Dome for this spectacular showcase,” the organisers said in a statement.

The MAMAs takes place this Saturday and will be broadcast live on MTV (DStv channel 130) from 21:00 CAT. The live red carpet show will streamed on www.mtvbase.com from 18:30 CAT.

Tickets for the awards are priced at R 250 (about $17) and R 300 ($21) and available at the ticketpro website and at Ticketpro retail outlets or dealers.