MTV Africa and MTV Base have announced the return of continental flagship awards show, MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs), in 2021. The awards ceremony will be held in a re-imagined virtual format in partnership with Uganda on February 20^th,2021. The MAMAs, Kampala Edition will be broadcast on MTV and MTV Base, with a repeat show airing on BET Africa and BET International as a one-hour MAMA-themed world stage feature.The event recognizes and rewards musicians, trailblazers and those shining a light on the continent's diverse talent and creativity by instilling positive impact on African music and youth culture over the past year. Vibrant performances from leading African and international artists can be expected alongside some of the biggest cross-genre and cross-border collaborations.20 award categories are up for grabs at the 2021 MTV MAMAs, including Best Male and Female, Best Song and Collaboration. The contribution of artists from Portuguese and French-speaking Africa will also be recognized in the Best Lusophone and Francophone categories. Additional categories included are the MAMA Generation Change Award, Best Fan Base, Alone Together: Best Lock-down Performance and Personality of the Year.The MAMA Generation Change award will recognize young, inspiring, pacesetters of the continent tackling some of the world's most challenging social problems. The Alone Together: Best Lock-down Performance will honor outstanding performances that took place virtually, by celebrating artists who released music that united society during the unprecedented lockdown period amid the coronavirus pandemic. The category selection criteria will be between the period of October 1,2019 and October 1,2020. The fan-voted awards show will have their nominations announcement this December."It is an incredible honor to announce that the seventh MTV Africa Music Awards Kampala 2021 will be hosted by the vibrantly diverse Uganda, The Pearl of Africa for the first time on February 20th 2021. We are excited to bring this amazing showcase to audiences across the continent and globally with an innovatively re-imagined awards show and celebration. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, content production has embraced innovation as the new gold and we are excited to take Africa to the world and showcase its immense talent and culture as we stage the biggest music awards show on the continent," said Monde Twala, Senior Vice President & General Manager, VCNA. "It is an incredible achievement for Uganda to host the continent and International stakeholders for the MAMA Kampala 2021 for the first time. The awards are an extraordinary African cultural experience, and we understand the important role it plays in driving awareness, cross culture education and profiling the continent's rich leisure tourism offerings on the international stage," said Godfrey Kiwanda, State Minister for Tourism Uganda in his maiden speech. MAMAs 2021 will encompass three pulsating Road to MAMA broadcasts featuring MAMA nominees from across the continent. Check out the 2021 MAMAs categories below.

1. Best Female
2. Best Male
3. Best Group
4. Best Breakthrough Act
5. Best Collaboration
6. Best Hip Hop
7. Best Alternative
8. Best Ugandan Act
9. Best Lusophone Act
10. Best Francophone Act
11. Best International Act
12. Video of the Year
13. Song of The Year
14. Artist of the Year
15. Alone Together Lockdown Performance
16. Listeners Choice
17. Best Fan-Base Award
18. Personality of the Year
19. MAMA Legend Award
20. MAMA Generation Change Award