MTV has released the first batch of nominees for the 2021 MTV Africa Music Awards showcasing Africa's best top music acts. The highly acclaimed award show will take place in Kampala, Uganda. The first batch is made up of fifty-two MAMA Kampala 2021 nominees across ten categories. Burna Boy, Busiswa, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Kabza De Small and more are just a few of the nominees revealed in a dazzling show which aired this past Wednesday on MTV Base.

Read: Master KG, Rema, Burna Boy, Simi, Sho Madjozi & More Win at 2020 AFRIMMAs

The most coveted category "Artist of the Year" is tightly contested with Master KG, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy, Diamond Platinumz, Calema and Wizkid running for the win. São Tomé and Príncipe's Calema leads the race with three nominations for "Artist of the Year", "Best Group" and "Best Lusophone Act". "Jerusalema" hit-maker Master KG is nominated for "Best Male" facing off fellow South African DJ Kabza De Small. Nigeria's Afrobeats stars Burna Boy, Rema, Fireboy DML have also been nominated in the "Best Male" category as well Tanzanian artist Harmonize, and Innoss'B from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The "Best Female" nominees are South Africa's rapper Sho Majdozi and dance music queen, Busiswa. Repping Nigeria are Yemi Alade, Simi and Tiwa Savage. Cape Verde singer Soraia Ramos and host country Ugunda's own Sheebah make MAMA 2021 "Best Female" category the most thrilling yet.

The MAMAs Kampala 2021 also announced two new exciting categories. The award show has added "Alone Together: Best Lockdown Performance" which rapper AKA snatched a nomination for AKA TV. "Best Ugandan Act" category has been added to recognise and award the host country's standout emerging artist.

According to The Hollywood Reporter the MAMAs were last held in 2016 in South Africa Johannesburg. The MAMA 2021 Kampala is the seventh edition since MTV initiated the awards in 2008. The second round of nominations, including "Best Collaboration", "Best International, Personality of the Year", "Best Alternative Act", "Best Fan Base Award" and "Song of the Year" will be revealed from the 5 January 2021 on MTV Base. Fans can vote for their favourite artists on MTV MAMA website.

Here is the full first batch list of nominees for MAMA Kamapala 2021:

MAMA 2021 Award Categories 1- 10

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)