Multi-platinum US rapper, The Game is to headline the debut edition of the MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain (MAMA) on 22 November 2008. The West Coast rapper, who is also nominated in the Best Hip Hop category at the awards, will perform live in Nigeria for the first time, joining Nigeria’s D’Banj, Tanzanian hip hop sensation Professor Jay, and Ghanaian hip life star, Kwaw Kese, on stage at The Velodrome, Abuja for Africa’s most spectacular celebration of contemporary music.

Born Jayceon Terrell Taylor, The Game is one of hip hop's most successful artists with two #1 US albums under his belt including 2005 debut major-label album The Documentary. Featuring a star-studded lineup including Mary J. Blige, Busta Rhymes, Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent and Kanye West, the album received instant critical acclaim, and attracted a Grammy nomination for The Game for smash hit single release Hate It or Love It.

With worldwide album sales topping seven million, The Game dropped his third album, L.A.X, through Geffen/Interscope Records in Summer 2008. The album features production credits from a roster of hip hop ‘royalty’ including: Kanye West, JR Rotem, Scott Storch, Jellyroll, 1500, Tone and Poke, Hi Tek. Plus Cool and Dre, and guest appearances from Lil Wayne, Keyshia Cole, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Ne-Yo, Common, Ice Cube, Raekwon and Marsha from Floetry.

No stranger to controversy himself, The Game grew up in gang-ridden Compton, California, often considered the toughest streets in the USA. While rap music has proved his own personal salvation, The Game never forgets his roots and is not afraid to use his music to address real issues that other artists might be scared to talk about on record. The first single from L.A.X., My Life, featuring Lil Wayne is now released (20 October 2008).

According to a press release from MTV networks, further performers for the MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain, including international and African artists, will be announced shortly.