Full story of 2009 MAMAs

When MTV’s Africa music awards debuted in Abuja last year, almost everything that could go wrong, went wrong. The host Trevor Nelson was a disappointment; the sound, an embarrassment. With poor logistics and technical nightmares working hand-in-hand, it was no surprise the big-budget event went on to be nothing short of a flop. But, if MAMA had a poor inaugural outing in 2008, they more than made up for it this year; coming out in full force and delivering one of the most exciting, breathtaking awards shows Africa has ever seen.

Of course there’s still a long way to go, in terms of logistics and communication; and there’s no way MTV should continue lumping African acts in same categories with black American artistes. Critics have advised time and again, that the organisers create a category for international/foreign acts, if they are determined to keep involving American acts in an award created for the African continent. African acts are not considered for the MTV Video music awards, and at the Europe music awards where they were recognised Between 2005 and 2007, they were all lumped in the Best African act category. And, just like the other major awards on the continent, the nomination and screening procedures for the MAMAs remain shrouded in secrecy and controversy.

However, sitting inside the indoor arena of the Moi International sports complex, in Nairobi, on Saturday October 10, it was easy to forgive all these lapses, because of glaring evidence that in terms of sound, content and production, the organisers learnt from last year’s blunders and put their best foot forward this time around.

Thanks to the title sponsors Zain, NET was in Kenya for the landmark event. And, here’s a specially-prepared feature on what went down, plus minute-by-minute timeline of activities…

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MAMA 2009 TIMELINE OF ACTIVITIES

7:28PM – Red carpet getting hot! Arrived so far: Darey, Mo hit all stars, Naeto C, HHP, Wyclef shows up on a bike

7:32PM – Kenya Couples nameless and Wahu arrive

7:33PM Dbanj, Ikechukwu and Cecil Hammond arrive, waiting to take their turn on the red carpet –

7:37PM Akon arrives, dressed in an all-white ensemble –

7:56PM Guests now taking seats inside the indoor arena, moi sports center –

8:00PM Spotted: Osa Sunny Adun, Alex Okosi, Sunday Are, Felix Akugha, Chris Ubosi, Tola Odunsi, Azuka Ogujiuba, Biodun Caston Dada.

8:26PM -Show kicks off with host Wyclef doing a tribute acappela to African nations –

8:34PM Wyclef Jean now playing: gone till November

8:36PM Now playing: 911 by Wyclef. Dude’s driving the audience crazy with guitar stunts

8:40PM Now playing : Hips don’t lie. No. Shakira’s not here. ‘Clef working the cut with his five –piece band and backing jockey

8:44PM – Apart from nominees, not many musicians and industry people from the continent are here. But hall’s full to capacity and guests are having fun

8:48 PM – First collabo of the night Wyclef and Akon. Lawd!

8:50PM – Who do you think will be tonight’s big winners?

8:53 PM It’s clear the guys at MTV are determined to right all the wrong of last year tonight. Good job so far, apart from shoddy pre show logistics.

8:54PM -Late SA reggae star Lucky Dube to be honored with post humus award tonight

8:56PM – MAMA 2009 not trending on Twitter.? Does the world know what’s happening in Nairobi tonight?

9:04PM – Wyclef and Akon on second round duet

9:24PM – fisrt set of winners: Best performer Samini (Ghana) Best male: Nameless (Kenya)

9:47PM – Too much dead air. Every one’s waiting now. Nothing happening on stage –

9:53PM – Best female act goes to Amani from Kenya

9:55PM – At least five persons undergoing emergency treatment. Situation ranging from food poison to fever to contact lens disaster and shock.

9:59PM – Great medical team, emergency provisions and exits.

9:59PM – Kenya dominates the winners list so far. Nameless. Wahu, Amani all winners

9:59PM – Where is Sound Sultan?

10:03PM – Akon and Lira now on stage to present best group

10:04 PM –Best Group : P square!!

10:05PM –P square not present to receive their best group prize

10:10PM MI named Best new act

10:11PM –MI giving props to Chocolate city, African youths and preaching the gospel of one Africa while receiving his first award for the night.

10:17PM – Surprising moment: Wyclef drags the event chef on stage. ‘What kind does Kenya need” he’s asking him; joking that he’s tryna pull a kanye.

10:21 Best listeners’ choice : Nameless (Kenya)

10:25PM Trevor Nelson was a disaster as host last year. But Wyclef has taken it to such heights!! gifted, natural entertainer!

10:31PM Best R&B act to be announced shortly by Naeto c and Sizwe.

10:33PM 2face Idibia named Best RnB act. Fellow nominee Darey on stage with 2face to receive the best RnB prize.

10:35PM Best Alternative winners : Zebra and Giraffe

10:37PM – Wyclef challenging Akon to a ‘fitness duel” Let’s do 25 push up’s. They’re doing it!!! –

10:38 – Wyclef and Akon taking off their shirts and doing acrobatic displays. The crowd? Wild!!!

10:40PM Wyclef and Akon just removed their trousers and showed Africa their boxers!!!

10:42: Performing now: Lira, Pype and MI. Joint set.

10:43- Great debut for General pype at the MAMAS as he joins MI and Lira on stage.

10:49PM – The 2009 edition of MTV Africa music awards was ‘make or mar’ for the organizers. Thankfully, they’ve had a good show so far.

10:49PM – Right now, Dbanj and Sway on stage to present award for best video.

Best video : HHP wins award for Best video

10:53PM Haitian Wyclef now paying tribute to hip hop in Africa, as he preps to introduce Lucky Dube’s MAMA legend award

10:55PM – ‘‘You can take his flesh; but you can’t take his soul’’ – Wyclef, on Lucky Dube who was assassinated in 2007 .

11:00PM – Performing now: Nameless and Samini

11:05PM -Lighters and phones lights in the air as Wyclef leads tribute song to Dube.

11:12PM Best hip hop act award goes to : MI. The debutant floors Kanye west and Jay Z to claim the MAMA best hip hop prize.

11:19PM – Dbanj hitting the stage now with the Mo’ Hits Allstars

11:27PM The artiste of the year is : Dbanj! Lucky Dbanj. Did’nt win any of his categories; yet he walks away with the biggest prize : Artist of the year

11:52PM -Last set of the night: ‘‘wanna be starting something remix” Wyclef and Akon and all nominess in tribute to MJ

11:57PM –And it’s a wrap folks. After party next.

WHO WON WHAT

NAMELESS – BEST MALE

M.I. – BEST NEW ACT

2FACE – BEST R&B

M.I. – BEST HIPHOP

AMANI – BEST FEMALE

SAMINI – BEST PERFORMER

PSQUARE – BEST GROUP

ZEBRA&GIRAFFE – BEST ALTERNATIVE

HHP – BEST VIDEO

NAMELESS – LISTENERS’ CHOICE

ARTISTE OF THE YEAR – D’BANJ

PATRICKE-STEVIE MOUNGONDO – MY VIDEO AWARD

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2. Channel O Pitches Darey Against Nameless
3. Bracket’s Poor Outing In Kenya
4. Ini Edo, Nkem Owoh, Uche Jombo, Others storm Kenya for Nollywood Road Show!

Tags: africa, awards, kenya, mama, mtv, nairobi