Trevor Noah to Host the 2016 MTV Africa Music Awards in Johannesburg

The Daily Show host Trevor Noah is taking a break from U.S. election season next month to host the 2016 MTV Africa Music Awards in his hometown. The sixth edition of the MAMAs go down 22 October at the Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg.

"I'm a huge fan of African music and achievement, and it's going to be a massive pleasure celebrating them both at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2016 in my own home town of Johannesburg," Noah said in a statement.

“Trevor Noah is an outstanding entertainer and testament to the amazing talent that Africa has to offer the world,” added Alex Okosi, senior VP and Managing Director of Viacom International Media Networks Africa. “To have him host the MAMA, our annual celebration of Africa music, creativity and achievement, is a powerful and inspiring message. We are delighted that our first-ever show in Johannesburg will be presented by one of the city’s most loved and admired personalities.”

Alikiba, Babes Woduma, Cassper Nyovest, Nasty C, Ycee and Yemi Alade are all slated to perform, with more acts to be announced soon as well as a “surprise international act.”

Guess who's hosting the @MTVbaseAfrica #MTVMAMA2016 See you 22 October in my hometown Johannesburg! @trevornoah BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW www.mtvbase.com Limited tickets

A photo posted by MTV Base Africa (@mtvbaseafrica) on Sep 20, 2016 at 9:13pm PDT

Nominees for the first half of the show’s 18 award categories were announced at a reveal party this evening in Johannesburg. Caster Semenya, Linda Ikeji, Pearl Thusi, Wizkid and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang are all up for Personality of the Year, an award which Noah claimed in 2015. Black Coffee, Wizkid, AKA, Patoranking and Diamond are in the running for Best Male. Emtee, Riky Rick, Ycee, Olamide and Kiff No Beat are this year’s Best Hip-Hop acts.

The awards will broadcast live on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and MTV (DStv Channel 130) on Saturday 22 October at 21:00 CAT. You’ll be able to stream the show live on www.mtvbase.com.

Stay tuned for a full list of nominees. In the meantime, check out part one below.

MAMA 2016 NOMINATIONS (PART 1)

Best Male

AKA (South Africa)

Black Coffee (South Africa)

Diamond (Tanzania)

Patoranking (Nigeria)

Wizkid (Nigeria)

Best Live

Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)

Eddy Kenzo (Uganda)

Flavour (Nigeria)

Mafikizolo (South Africa)

Stonebwoy (Ghana)

Best Group

Mi Casa (South Africa)

Navy Kenzo (Tanzania)

R2bees (Ghana)

Sauti Sol (Kenya)

Toofan (Togo)

Best Collaboration in partnership with Absolut

AKA feat. Burna Boy, Khuli Chana & Yanga – “Baddest” (South Africa/Nigeria)

DJ Maphorisa feat. Wizkid & DJ Bucks – “Soweto Baby” ((South Africa/Nigeria)

Nasty C feat. Davido, Cassper – “Juice Back Remix” (Nigeria/South Africa)

Patoranking feat. Sarkodie – “No Kissing” (Nigeria/Ghana)

Sauti Sol feat. Alikiba – “Unconditionally Bae” (Kenya/Tanzania)

Best Hip Hop in association with MTN

Emtee (South Africa)

Kiff No Beat (Ivory Coast)

Olamide (Nigeria)

Riky Rick (South Africa)

Ycee (Nigeria)

Best Pop/Alternative

Desmond & The Tutus (South Africa)

LCNVL (South Africa)

Shekinah (South Africa) / Kyle Deutsch (South Africa)

Timo ODV (South Africa)

Tresor (DRC)

Best Lusophone

C4 Pedro (Angola)

NGA (Angola)

Lizha James (Mozambique)

Nelson Freitas (Netherlands/Cape Verde)

Preto Show (Angola)

Personality of the Year in association with DStv

Caster Semenya (South Africa)

Linda Ikeji (Nigeria)

Pearl Thusi (South Africa)

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon)

Wizkid (Nigeria)

Best International

Adele (UK)

Beyoncé (USA)

Drake (Canada)

Future (USA)

Rihanna (Barbados)

#MAMANominees for Best Hip Hop | Tweet or quote using #MAMAVote + (Nominee) + #BestHipHop to vote for your favourite artists. pic.twitter.com/J8walRuEQz

— MTV Base Africa (@MTVbaseAfrica) September 21, 2016

#MAMANominees for Best Collab | Tweet or quote using #MAMAVote + (Nominee) + #BestCollab to vote for your favourite artists. pic.twitter.com/WE1ivw4aYK

— MTV Base Africa (@MTVbaseAfrica) September 21, 2016

#MAMANominees for Best Male | Tweet or quote using #MAMAVote + (Nominee) + #BestMale to vote for your favourite artists. pic.twitter.com/oh9A24qrzI

— MTV Base Africa (@MTVbaseAfrica) September 21, 2016

#MAMANominees for Best INT Act | Tweet or quote using #MAMAVote + (Nominee) + #BestINTAct to vote for your favourite artist. pic.twitter.com/QcTgafnf16

— MTV Base Africa (@MTVbaseAfrica) September 21, 2016

#MAMANominees for Best Lusphone | Tweet or quote using #MAMAVote + (Nominee) + #BestLusphone to vote for your favourite artist. pic.twitter.com/bAdBUj8Oyc

— MTV Base Africa (@MTVbaseAfrica) September 21, 2016

#MAMANominees for Best Group | Tweet or quote using #MAMAVote + (Nominee) + #BestGroup to vote for your favourite artists. pic.twitter.com/u8S1026F0Z

— MTV Base Africa (@MTVbaseAfrica) September 21, 2016

#MAMANominees for Personality of the Year | Tweet or quote using #MAMAVote + (Nominee) + #MAMAPOTY to vote for your favourite artist. pic.twitter.com/QTaHNVwLgw

— MTV Base Africa (@MTVbaseAfrica) September 21, 2016

#MAMANominees for Best Pop | Tweet or quote using #MAMAVote + (Nominee) + #BestPop to vote for your favourite artists. pic.twitter.com/Frc9Obseic

— MTV Base Africa (@MTVbaseAfrica) September 21, 2016

#MAMANominees for Best Live Act | Tweet or quote using #MAMAVote + (Nominee) + #BestLiveAct to vote for your favourite artist. pic.twitter.com/fywV8AfF6v

— MTV Base Africa (@MTVbaseAfrica) September 21, 2016