Written by: Mfundo Mabaso

After weeks of excitement and anticipation, Africa’s music fans have spoken at the sixth edition of Africa’s premiere annual music showcase, the MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016.

Unfolding at the TicketPro Dome, Johannesburg last Saturday, the exhilarating celebration of African music and achievement made its Joburg debut with an electrifying display of live performances and incredible state-of-the-art staging and lighting.

South African stars Cassper Nyovest and Emtee won for Best Live and Best Hip Hop respectively, with Shekhinah and Kyle Deutsch scoring gold in Best Pop/Alternative. Nigerian pop sensation WizKid scooped three awards with wins in the prestigious Best Male and Artist of the Year categories, and scoring one extra trophy for his featured performance on Best Collaboration.

The excitement in the crowd was palpable as world-renowned South African jazz legend and Grammy award winner, Hugh Masekela, took to the stage to accept the Legend Award, for his indelible contribution to the music industry.

2016 MTV Africa Music Awards Winners:
Artist of the Year: Wizkid (Nigeria)
Best Female: Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
Best Male: Wizkid (Nigeria)
Best Group: Sauti Sol (Kenya)
Best Breakthrough Act: Tekno (Nigeria)
Best Live Act:  Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
Best Hip Hop in association with MTN: Emtee (South Africa)
Song of the Year in partnership with Google: “My Woman, My Everything” Patoranking feat. Wande Coal (Nigeria)
Listener’s Choice: Jah Prayzah (Zimbabwe)
Video of the Year:  “Niquer Ma Vie” – Youssoupha (Congo) – Director: Antony Abdelli & Jose Eon
Best Pop & Alternative: Shekhinah & Kyle Deutsch (South Africa)
Best Francophone: Serge Beynaud (Ivory Coast)
Best Lusophone: C4 Pedro (Angola)
Personality of the Year in association with DSTV:  Caster Semenya (South Africa)
Legend Award: Hugh Masekela
Best Collaboration in partnership with ABSOLUT: DJ Maphorisa feat. Wizkid & DJ Buckz – “Soweto Baby” (South Africa/Nigeria)
Africa Reimagined: Vivian Onano and Mary Taedzerwa
Best International: Drake (USA)