[dropcap background=”yes” color=”#333333″ size=”15px”] It was a big night [/dropcap]for musicians and other artists at the 6th annual MTV Africa Music Awards in South Africa this last weekend. The sometimes-on, sometimes-off awards drew a host of the continent’s most recognizable names in entertainment.
Big winners for the night? South African duo Mafikizolo who took home two awards including Best Song of the Year and Best Group; Nigerian artist Davido who took home Best Male and Artist of the Year with Best New Act going to Cameroonian entertainer Stanley Enow. No prizes for guessing Personality of the Year– Lupita Nyong’o who is definately having The Best Year Ever after a major Oscar win and clocking People Magazine’s Most Beautiful Person of 2014 last month.
What should have been a celebratory night was marred by American comedian and host Marlon Wayans who caused a twitterstorm with some ill-considered ‘jokes’. Reminding us all of the epic Rick Ross faux pas (“I just landed in the great country of Africa…”), Wayans angered more than viewers with his insensitivity by making jokes about cannibalism and the size of African women’s behinds. Nigerian R&B Artist Banky Wellington summed it up by tweeting during the show: “Worst host.”
Not far from the awards, rapper Nas performed to a sold out crowd in Pretoria. In contrast to Wayans, this is one American who did his research by honoring legend Brenda Fassie in a bring-the-roof-down performance of her classic Vulindlela.
The full list of winners is here.
Africa Redux Founder Chi Kaitano.
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