Last Saturday
night, Sarkodie snatched the MTV Africa Music Best Hip-Hop Award from
under the noses of other music heavy weights from the continent such as AKA
(South Africa), Ice Prince (Nigeria), Khuli Chana (South Africa) and Olamide
(Nigeria).
Sarkodie lifted the coveted award at the Durban’s
International Conference Centre, South Africa, with the video of his song
Illuminati. Sarkodie also performed on the night with American
recording artist, rapper, songwriter and producer, Miguel.
The 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards was a stunning pan-African
celebration of music, youth culture and lifestyle.
Davido, Mafikozolo, Uhuru and Clarence Peters were the
big winners of the evening at the awards.
Quadruple nominees Mafikizolo triumphed in the Best
Group and Song of The Year categories, while Davido took home two awards, for
Best Male and Artist of the Year.
Uhuru was recognised for Best Collaboration for his
part in “Y-tjukutja” by Uhuru Ft. Oskido, DJ Bucks, Professor and Yuri Da
Cunha, and in Song of the Year. Nigerian video director, Clarence Peters won
two awards – Transform Today by Absolut, and Best Video.
In this year’s newly introduced lifestyle award
categories, Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o took home the award for Personality
of the Year, while The inaugural MTV Base Leadership award was won by Tanzanian
entrepreneur, Ashish J. Thakkar.
Other highlights of the evening included a moving
acoustic guitar tribute to the late, great Nelson Mandela by Afro-Soul star
Simphiwe Dana, who performed in front of a giant timelapse video artwork by
street artist Rasty, while Ladysmith Black Mambazo brought the house to its
feet with their unexpected mash up “Acappello” and “Y-tjukutja”.
The uplifting music spectacular culminated with all
the artists assembled on stage for a medley of French Montana songs including
“Pop That”, “Freaks” and “Ain’t Worried About Nothin!”
Legendary stand-up comic, film and television
sensation Marlon Wayans hosted MAMA 2014 with his trademark humour, making a
triumphant entrance on a blinged-up rickshaw and engaging the audience with his
easy charm. Celebrity guests who handed out the glittering new MAMA trophy at
the show included French Montana, D’Banj, Nomzamo Mbatha, Goldfish, DJ Fresh,
John Vlismas, Kajal Bagwandeen, Emmanuel Adebayo, DJ Edu, Minnie Dlamini, Sizwe
Dhlomo, Dorcas Shola Fapson, DJ C’ndo, Efya, Omotola and Riaad Moosa.