By T Mochama

You may feel encouraged looking at all those Kenyan artistes you see lining the nomination list, like stars across an African galaxy — but just telescope into the actual constellation of celebrities represented there, and you begin to realise just how tough the competition is for our local lads and ladettes at this year’s MTV MAMA awards.

STL

Nameless is, without doubt, the best known of our (Kenyan) male artistes on the continent, but we daresay when it comes to being king of the jungle on the MTV MAMAs, he’a little bit mane-less. This year, he faces tough competition in the likes of D’Banj (Nigeria) and 2 Face (Nigeria). But unless the judging is Janus-faced, Nameless’s toughest competition is going to come in the name of South Africa’s HHP — who may just clinch it.

Do you like Jay Z, or prefer Kanye West with all his drunken MTV (USA) melodramatics (blame it on the Hennessey)? Well, Kanye won’t be in Kenya to diss Jay Z should he be beaten on the hip-hop award. But then, again, we don’t expect Jay Z to be given this category.

Nor should AY, (especially after his horrible show on Big Brother House on Sunday) expect to win this one. It’s between Zulu Boy of SA, and MI of Nigeria — and MI might just about nick it.

"The winner takes it all, the loser stands alone," Abba sang. Watching Amani sit alone (at last Sunday’s Blankets & Wine event) for a while, this lonely simile came to mind.

Wahu

Amani is not going to be given ‘Best Female, MTV MAMA’ awards, not never ever, but not this year — not after Wahu went off with the last one. Lira of South Africa is gonna lick her (Amani) in this category — and nick it.

Ahhh, here comes Nameless again, in search of another trophy, in yet another category. But I’m afraid we’ve got tough news for our hero, Ka-Monski. He faces a monster challenge in the turbulent twin duo commonly known as P-Square. Their performances are electrifying, and it is gravity-defying not to see them taking off with the Best Performer award. But if are a little regional and gender politiks is brought into the equation, then there is the glimmer of a chance for dark horses Blu 3 of Uganda (why do they sound like high-tech Gal-Level) clinching this award.

Nameless

Here, the ‘brodas’ from Nigeria (P Square) square it off against Loyiso Bala (South Africa), Beyonce (USA) and Akon (USA) for the Best R&B Award. Do the math! MTV is flying in Akon for performance at the MAMAs — you think they’re going to let anyone else walk with the award? Go figure.

P-Square in the town square again. The final showdown at high noon (or high moon, in this case) for Best Group in Africa sees them face Blu 3 of Uganda, Gang of Instrumentals (SA), Mo Hits Allstars (mouthful) and Gal Level of Namibia — but we do think the twins and the rest will see double as the Gang of Instrumentals gangs up on this award (although outsiders Gal Level may still have it in their handbag as fringe-market favourites by the MTV people).

As a rocker, I can say with certainty that Green Day are one of the greatest alternative rock bands on the planet. As for Coldplay, you only have to listen to a song like Viva la Vida ( ‘I used to roll the dice, feel the fear in my enemies’ eyes/ now I sleep alone, sweep the streets I usedta own’) to know you are in the audio-presence of a brilliant global band. So to be fair to Africa, the MTV MAMA in the alternative category ought to go to SA’s Cassette — and let the real rockers go get their own awards in the Western world, Northern Hemisphere.

Amani

Da LES of SA may ‘Be On Fire, HHP imagine they have a winner in ‘Mpitse’ and 2 Face ‘Enter The Place’ ( Kasarani Complex) with hopes of winning in the MTV ‘Best Video’ category. But seeing as MTV sponsored Wahu’s video (Little Things You Do) featuring Bobi Wine, why not let her be a winner — second year in a row? So that her competitor XOD of UG may have a chance to sing their ‘I Want You Back’ in the coming year?

In Kenya’s eyes, there is no doubt which Best New Act is as high as the African skies. STL!

Her competition MI and Shaa aren’t up to (her) scratch, Nigeria may big up Bigiano (but it’s still a ‘no’) and STL, at the top of her rhyme element, is far better than SA’s Rhythmic Elements. So, for the second year in a row, let’s hope for another female singer to scoop that MAMA.