Wizkid shines at MTV awards

The heavens smiled on Nigerian singer Wizkid on Saturday night in Johannesburg following his tripple glory in the MTV Africa Music Awards having claimed majority votes in the categories he was nominated in.

Born Ibrahim Balogun, the singer flew the Nigerian flag in an award ceremony his country dominated. Wizkid won three prestigious awards; best male, best collaboration, and MTV MAMA Africa artist of the year.

He shared the best collaboration award with South Africa’s DJ Maphorisa and DJ Bucks for the video, Soweto Baby.

All this was in recognition of his contributions in the African music industry in 2016. The 26 year-old has been busy in the studio recording with internationally recognised artists.

He has among other artists worked with Canadian singer cum rapper Drake, and Nigerian American Tinnie Tempah.

Other artists from Nigeria who kept alive their country’s legacy in African awards include; Techno, Yemi Alade, Patoranking and Wande Coal.

They all managed to come top of different categories having recorded the highest number of votes.

The ceremony proved to be a nightmare for East Africa after the region grabbed a single award. Kenyan group Sauti Sol won the best group award, defeating their main competitor, Micasa from South Africa.

It was a bad year for Malawi, with no artist from the country getting nominated in any of the categories.

Malawi yet again missed its first opportunity to be part of the MAMAs.

Full list of winners is as follows.

Best Male Wizkid (Nigeria)

Best Live Casper Nyovest (South Africa)

Best Group Sauti Sol (Kenya)

Best Female Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

Best Pop/Alternative Shekinah (South Africa)/ Kyle Deutsch (South Africa)

MAMA Legend Hugh Makesela (South Africa)

Listener’s Choice Award Jah Prayzah (Zimbabwe)

Personality of the Year in association with DStv Caster Semenya (South Africa)

Best Collaboration in partnership with Absolut DJ Maphorisa feat. Wizkid & DJ Bucks – “Soweto Baby” (South Africa/Nigeria)

Best Video of the year Youssoupha (Congo)

Best Francophone Serge Beynaud (Ivory Coast) Best Lusophone C4 Pedro (Angola)

Best International Drake (Canada)

Best Breakthrough Tekno (Nigeria)

Song of the Year in partnership with Google Patoranking (Nigeria) – MyWoman, My Everything ft Wande Coal

Best Hip Hop in association with MTN Emtee (South Africa)

MTVMama2016 Artist of the Year Wizkid (Nigeria)