August 30, 2010 – Akon, Dizzee Rascal, Tinchy Stryder, SWAY, K’naan, P Square, Sarkodie, Radio & Weasel, D’Banj, Amr Diab, Tamer Hosny, Alikiba, Black Coffee, are some of the big names nominated to battle for this year’s O2 African Music Awards (AMAs) Statuette.
The AMAs is Europe’s premier annual awards ceremony for African musicians and music makers. The main aim is to achieve mainstream recognition for big selling African artists who have sold millions of records in the African market, yet remain under-exposed to the Western world. Music industry experts have tipped African music to “explode” into the UK market and the AMAs is there to provide a platform that will recognise their achievements annually.
This year’s nominee application broke last year’s record, a total of 2,325 applications were received over the 2 months submission period.
This year’s voting is 100% by the general public via the official O2 African Music Awards’ website http://www.africamusicawards.com/ and SMS. Voting will be activated between 6th September and 10th October. All winners will be announced at the awards on Friday 15th October at Wembley Arena, London.
Speaking passionately, Eric McKaiser, CEO and founder, said “The AMAs are changing the perception surrounding African music. We aim to bridge the gap between the West and African musicians. Congratulations to all the 2010 nominees, and in my eyes you are all winners”.
Some of the 2010 AMAs nominees are:
African song of the year
Bumper to bumper – Wande Coal – Nigeria
Juju ? Black Coffee ? South Africa
Sunshine ? Nameless – Kenya
K’naan – Waving Flag
Sarkodie – Baby
Artiste of the year
D’Banj – Nigeria
Fally Ipupa – DR Congo
Black Coffee – South Africa
Tamer Hosny – Egypt
K’Naan – Somalia
Best male artist
Alikiba – Tanzania
P Square – Nigeria
Tamer Hosny
Nana Boro – Ghana
Amr Diab
Best female artist
Adiouza – Senegal
Amani – Kenya
Barbara Kanam – DR Congo
Angelique Kidjo – Benin
Becca – Ghana
Best group
Blu3 – Uganda
Mo Hit Star – Nigeria
P?Square – Nigeria
Sauti Sol – Kenya
Best album
Ali K 4 Real ? Alikiba – Tanzania
Danger – P Square – Nigeria
Dagaati – Samini – Ghana
O Cupido – Ralph Anselmo – Angola
Best new artist/ group
Adiouza – Senegal
Vocal Slender – Nigeria
Sarkodie – Ghana
Sauti Sol – Kenya
R2Bees – Ghana
Best music video
Breathe – D?Black & KwakuT – Ghana
Juju ? Black Coffee ? South Africa
Not the girl ? Darey – Nigeria
Safe – M.I. – Nigeria
Fire – Becca
East African artist of the year
Radio & Weasel – Uganda
Alikiba – Tanzania
Marlaw – Tanzania
Nameless – Kenya
Juliana Kayomozi – Uganda
Best African artist in the diaspora
K’Naan – Somalia
Jusa Dementor – Zimbabwe
May7ven – Nigeria
Mimitah – DR Congo
JJC Skillz – Nigeria
Best urban artist of African origin
Dizzee Rascal – UK/Ghana/Nigeria
Akon ? USA/Senegal
Tinchy Stryder – UK/Ghana
Tai Cruz – UK/USA/Nigeria