Grammy Award nominated R&B singer Jhené Aiko and rising hip hop star Young Thug are confirmed to perform at the MTV Africa Music Awards KwaZulu-Natal (MAMA) 2015 on Saturday 18 July.

Jhene Aiko and Young Thug join global superstar NE-YO and African artists Bucie, Cassper Nyovest, Davido, Diamond Platnumz and Yemi Alade on stage at the Durban International Convention Centre in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa for the fifth edition of the MAMA. Honouring contemporary artists and achievers from across the continent, MAMA 2015 is sponsored by the KwaZulu-Natal Province in association with Absolut Vodka and in partnership with The City of Durban.

Commented Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, “We are delighted to welcome Jhené Aiko and Young Thug to MAMA 2015, continuing the proud tradition of combining Africa’s finest musicians with exciting international stars.”

Bruce Gillmer EVP, Music, Talent Programming and Events, Viacom International Media Networks, commented: There is great energy around both Jhene and Young Thug following a strong year for both artists. We can’t wait to see them command the MAMA stage in Durban.”

Talented singer-songwriter Jhené Aiko rose to prominence in the early 2000’s and has collaborated with the likes of Drake, Kanye West, Akon and David Guetta. Her debut album, Souled Out, was released in September 2014 to great critical acclaim. In 2015, Aiko received three nominations at the 57th Annual Grammy Award for her EP Sail Out and the tracks ”The Worst” and “Blak Majik”. “The Worst” subsequently took home the Centric Award at the 2014 BET Awards.

Young Thug, a.k.a Jeffrey Williams, will also be performing at the MAMA 2015. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, the rapper is best known for his track “Stoner” and an eccentric, experimental style. He gained major recognition in 2014 with a string of successful singles including “About the Money” and “Lifestyle”, which reached 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart. Following collaborations with many other rappers, most notably Kanye West, in April 2015, Young Thug revealed that his long-awaited debut album is on the way, titled Hy!£UN35 (HiTunes).

Centered around the theme of “Evolution”, the MTV Africa Music Awards KwaZulu-Natal 2015 will honour the efforts and success of contemporary African artists and achievers across a range of music and lifestyle categories.

The MAMA 2015 will simulcast live across Africa on MTV Base (DStv channel 322), MTV (DStv channel 130) and BET (DStv channel 129) on Saturday 18 July at 21:00 CAT. The show will also be transmitted worldwide on partner stations and content platforms including BET International from 18 July. In addition, a special MAMA-themed edition of MTV’s acclaimed World Stage franchise will air globally on MTV channels around the world on 27 August 2015.

For more information on the MTV Africa Music Awards KwaZulu-Natal 2015, please go to www.mtvbase.com or http://mama.mtv.com, like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MTVBaseVerified, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @MTVBaseAfrica. To join the conversation about the awards please use the hashtag #MTVMAMA2015.