The 2010 African Music Awards (AMAs) nominees

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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

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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

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