Khaligraph will battle it out for the Best Hip Hop award with some top rappers like South Africa's Nasty C and Ghanian Kwesi Arthur.
The two Kenyan boy groups Sauti Sol and Ethic have been nominated under the same category — Best Group— and will have to fight it out for the award against South Africans Blaq Diamond and Kabza De Small/DJ Maphorisa, as well as Rostam (Tanzania) and Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe).
Other major East African nominees for the awards include Tanzanians Diamond Platnumz (with two nominations), Zuchu (one) and Harmonize (one). And representing the show's host country Uganda, Sheebah has received two nominations.
Beginning today, fans can vote across eight MAMA categories, including Best Male, Best Female, Best Group and more by visiting www.mtvmama.com.
Best Female Simi (Nigeria) Sheebah (Uganda) Sho Madjozi (South Africa) Busiswa (South Africa) Yemi Alade (Nigeria) Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde) Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
Best Male Burna Boy (Nigeria) Innoss'B (Democratic Republic of Congo) Kabza De Small (South Africa) Harmonize (Tanzania) Fireboy DML (Nigeria) Master KG (South Africa) Rema (Nigeria)
Best Group Blaq Diamond (South Africa) Sauti Sol (Kenya) Kabza De Small / DJ Maphorisa (South Africa) Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe) Ethic (Kenya) Rostam (Tanzania)
Artist of the Year Burna Boy (Nigeria) Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe) Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) Master KG (South Africa) Davido (Nigeria) Tiwa Savage (Nigeria) Wizkid (Nigeria)
Best Breakthrough Act Elaine (South Africa) Tems (Nigeria) Omah Lay (Nigeria) Zuchu (Tanzania) John Blaq (Uganda) Sha Sha (Zimbabwe) Focalistic (South Africa)
Best Hip Hop Nasty C (South Africa) Suspect 95 (Cote d'Ivoire) Khaligraph Jones (Kenya) Kwesi Arthur (Ghana) NGA (Angola) OMG (Senegal)
Best Ugandan Act Sheebah Bebe Cool John Blaq Vinka Daddy Andre Spice Diana
Best Lusophone Act Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe) Preto Show (Angola) Anna Joyce (Angola) Mr Bow (Mozambique) Nelson Freitas (Cape Verde) Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
Best Francophone Act Innoss'B (Democratic Republic of Congo) Suspect 95 (Cote d'Ivoire) Dip Doundou Guiss (Senegal) Stanley Enow (Cameroon) Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo) Gaz Mawete (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Alone Together: Best Lockdown Performance Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) – Africa Day Benefit Concert Black Motion (South Africa) – Red Bull Rendezvous Niniola ft Busiswa (Nigeria / SA) – Africa Day Benefit Concert Singuila (Congo) – DCDR Series AKA (South Africa) – AKA TV Yemi Alade (Nigeria) – Poverty (live session).
