MTV launches Africa Music Awards

MTV Networks Africa is to stage its first MTV Africa Music Awards following a three-year sponsorship agreement with the telecommunications provider Zain. The event will take place at the Velodrome, Abuja, Nigeria on November 22, 2008 in front of an audience consisting of thousands of musicians, celebrities, media and music fans.

The two-hour spectacular will combine performances from top African and international stars with award presentations under the guidance of “an international superstar host”. The awards will focus on contemporary African and international genres popular in sub-Saharan Africa including hip-hop, hip life, R&B, rock, Afro Pop, Afro Beat, kwaito, bongo flava, dancehall, soul, rock and funk.

“The MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain will create an unprecedented global platform for African musicians to shine and to spread the word about Africa’s extraordinary music talent,” said Alex Okosi, senior vice president and managing director, MTV Networks Africa. “We are very excited to partner with Zain to realise our vision of creating an MTV awards ceremony for the artists and music fans of the African continent.”

The awards will be preceded by four concerts taking place in Johannesburg, Nairobi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Lagos, which will showcase international artists and local nominees.

Coverage of the event will be seen around the world on MTV through its TV, online, mobile and radio platforms. Included are MTV Base (available throughout Africa on MultiChoice and GTV, MTV2 (US) and terrestrial channels in Africa; STV and AIT (Nigeria), TBC (Tanzania) and TV3 (Ghana).