FRENCH MONTANA JOINS ELECTRIFYING LINE-UP FOR THE MTV AFRICA MUSIC AWARDS KWAZULU-NATAL
Durban, 22 May 2014: African music and youth lifestyle brand MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) has revealed that hip hop hit-maker French Montana is to join the line-up for the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA). The critically acclaimed hip hop star will be performing at the global celebration of African music, talent and youth culture, taking place on 7 June at the ICC in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
The MTV Africa Music Awards is brought to you byKwaZulu-Natal Province in association with Absolut & The City of Durban. South Africa Tourism is also a key partner for the MAMA.
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 & 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 NYC. 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, South Africa on Saturday 7 June. For the first time ever, the awards is premiering LIVE across Africa on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and MTV (DStv Channel 130) at 21:00 CAT.
The 2014 MAMA 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 partnersGagasi FM, Yfm and Capricorn FM.
Nominees from the length and breadth of sub-Saharan Africa are represented in the nominations for this year’s 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 this year’s 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 continuesonlineat www.mtvbase.com until midnight on 4 June 2014. 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 7 June.
Tickets for the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards KwaZulu-Natal 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 KwaZulu-Natal supported by Absolut & The City of Durban, please go www.mtvbase.com, like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MTVBaseVerified, or follow us on Twitter @MTVBaseAfrica. To join the conversation about the awards please use the hashtag #MTVMAMA.
Further Information,
For further information, high resolution imagery or downloadable video, please go to www.mtvbase.com/mini/mama14-press, or contact:
MTV/MTV Base
Maria McCloy/Alison Reid
Email: Maria.mccloy@vimn.com /Alison.reid@vimn.com
Tel: +27 11 428 2941/+33 385 300636
About the MTV Africa Music Awards
First staged in 2008, the MTV Africa Music Awards has recognised the talent of musicians from across sub-Saharan Africa, rewarding iconic artists such as 2Face Idibia, Big Nuz, HHP, P-Square, Liquideep, D’Banj, Lira, Nameless, Wahu, Fally Ipupa, Cabo Snoop, Zebra & Giraffe, and many more. The 2014 awards are open to all artists whose music videos have been accepted for airplay on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) or MTV (DStv Channel 130) during the qualifying period 20 March 2013 to 19 March 2014.
About MTV
With a global reach of more than a half-billion households, MTV is the cultural home of the millennial generation, music fans and artists, and a pioneer in creating innovative programming for young people. With more than 60 channels seen in more than 600 million households worldwide, MTV is the world’s largest television network and the leading multimedia brand dedicated to youth culture.
About KwaZulu-Natal Province
KwaZulu-Natal Province is South Africa’s leading tourist destination and a magnet for visitors from continental Africa and all points of the globe. Offering a unique blend of sophistication, cultural diversity and excitement in the most breath taking setting imaginable, KwaZulu-Natal is an enticing, spectacular and fascinating consumer and business tourism destination, flanked on one side by the warm Indian Ocean and – on the other – by soaring peaks.
About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard South Africa is one of the leading spirits and wine companies in South Africa. Pernod Ricard South Africa was established in 1994 and is a part of the Global Pernod Ricard Group which holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector including iconic brands like Absolut Vodka, Jameson Whiskey and Chivas Regal. Globally, 51 out of every 100 premium bottles sold are Pernod Ricard brands.
About The City of Durban
The City of Durban is honoured to be host city to the prestigious MTV Africa Music Awards and we like to take this opportunity to invite our colleagues from the rest of Africa to celebrate Africa’s finest talent in our sub-tropical paradise. The staging of an event of this magnitude, certainly highlights the growing track record of international events that have been successfully held by the city and events of this nature play an important role in positioning Durban as a leading events and tourist destination. Durban combines the perfect ingredients to make your visit special, we have world class facilities, a vibrant blend of cultures, unique eKasi Lifestyle, extreme adventure, hot nightlife, exotic cuisine and a breathtaking coastline of superb beaches, that create the warmth and diversity of this amazing city. We look forward to an unforgettable MAMA in Durban and would like all our guests to leave with the warmest of memories.
