By Stevens Muendo

The war is on between Nigerian and Kenyan artistes as the journey towards this year’s MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) with Zain come to Nairobi. Nigerian artistes are reportedly unhappy with the assault they received after Wahu scooped the Best Female Artiste Award last year and word is that they see Kenyan musicians as their main rivals. Last week, during a Press and artistes’ briefing conference in Nairobi, Kenyan artistes were optimistic that they will carry the day come October 10, the day of the gala event.

Wahu

Artistes have five weeks to register for the awards. The deadline will be June 30. To be eligible for the pan-African Awards and to have a chance of winning the fabulous MAMA golden trophy, artistes must have had one or more music videos played on MTV base (DStv Channel 322) before June 2009. Alex Okosi, senior Vice-president and managing director, MTV Networks Africa said: "The quality of African music videos is reaching new heights and we want to encourage submissions from every corner of the continent".

Norman Moyo, Group Marketing Director, Zain International said: "Contemporary Africa musicians should take this opportunity to participate in this year’s awards. This is a brilliant platform for helping to promote their music repertoire and develop their careers."