MTV has unveiled the nominees for the prestigious Listener’s Choice Award at the MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain (MAMA). Reflecting the importance of radio to the African music industry and music fans, the Listener’s Choice Award celebrates the tracks and artists who triumphed on the radio airwaves in 2007/8.

The nominees for the Listener’s Choice awards, chosen exclusively by radio listeners across Africa are:

Jax Panik (South Africa) - ‘Cigarettes and Cinnamon’

D’Banj (Nigeria) – ‘Why Me’

Naakaya (Tanzania) - ‘Mr. Politician’

JB Mpiana (DRC) – ‘Zadio Kongolo’

P Unit (Kenya) – ‘Una‘

Toniks (Uganda) ‘Beera Nange’

Ofori Amponsah Featuring Samini (Ghana) - ‘Odwo’

Commented Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, MTV Networks Africa, ‘The Listener’s Choice award adds a fascinating dimension to the MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain, by focusing as much on the song as on the artist.

This opens up the scope of the Awards to brilliant emerging artists such as Naakaya, Jax Panik and Toniks, and puts them in the running alongside established heavyweights like D’Banj.”

Nigerian ‘Koko’ master, D’Banj’s nomination brings his total nominations haul to four, while Ghanaian artist Samini is now recognised in two categories, as featured artist on Ofori Amponsah’s ‘Odwo’ and in his own right for ‘Best Live Performer’.

Nominees for the Listener’s Choice Award were chosen by listeners of radio stations across the continent including RTGA FM (DRC), Joy FM (Ghana), Homeboyz Radio (Kenya), Kiss FM (Kenya), Cool FM (Nigeria), 5fm (South Africa), Clouds FM (Tanzania), Sanyu FM (Uganda) and KFM (Uganda).

The winner of the Listener’s Choice Award will be announced at the MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain in Abuja, Nigeria on 22 November 2008. To vote for your favorite Listener’s Choice artist, or artists in other award categories, go to the official MAMA website at mama.mtvbase.com. Voting closes on 18 November 2008.