MAMA 2008 Best Live Performer winners Jozi, from Johannesburg, notched up another ‘nod’ from the MAMA academy with a nomination for Artist of the Year 2010.  Six further South African artists were recognised by the MAMA Academy, with nominations for Teargas (Best Group), JR (Song of the Year), Black Coffee (Best Male), Big Nuz (Best Anglophone), Liquideep (Song of the Year) and The Parlotones (Best Video).

The nominees for the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) with Zain were shortlisted by the MAMA Academy on 30 October – a handpicked group of music industry experts and taste makers from across the African continent.  The winners for the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain will be revealed on Saturday 11 December 2010 at the Eko Expo Centre, Lagos, Nigeria. South African rap kwaito group Teargas is the only SA act confirmed to perform at the awards ceremony.

Held in a different African city every year, the MAMAs celebrate musicians from across the continent. This is the third edition of the annual awards ceremony, held previously in Abuja, Nigeria (2008) and Nairobi, Kenya (2009). The MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain is open to all soloists or groups , from African countries, who have received airplay on MTV base or MTV during the qualifying period (30 June 2009 to 31 August 2010).

Past South African winners have included Zebra & Giraffe (Best Alternative Act 2009), HHP (Best Video 2009) and Lucky Dube (MAMA LEGEND 2009).

12 separate MAMA awards will be awarded in 2010: Artist of the Year, Best Male, Best Female, Best Group, Best Video, Song of the Year, Best Anglophone, Best Francophone, Best Lusophone, Brand:New, Best International and MAMA Legend.

The winners of MAMA 2010 will be chosen by members of the public and music fans voting online and via SMS, except Best Video and MAMA Legend which are chosen by MTV.