ADDING yet another feather to their already attractive cap, MTV Network Africa and Bharti Airtel are holding the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards in Nigeria.

Affectionately called the Mamas, the awards, which were held in the West African country in 2008, are returning to Lagos. Last year, Kenya hosted the event.

This celebration of contemporary African music and creativity will be held at the EKO Expo Hall on December 11.

Be prepared to be blown away. The showbiz grapevine insists that the event will be a live music extravaganza and a global television spectacular.

To make it even more memorable it will feature performances by contemporary African and international music giants, who are to be hosted by major celebrity artists from around the continent.

The stakes are high, with musos competing in the 12 categories to win a Mama for Best Male, Best Female, Best Video, Best Group, Artist of the Year, Best Lusophone Act, Best Anglophone Act, Best Francophone Act, Song of the Year, Brand: New Act, Best International Act and Mama Legend.

Telecommunications giant Bharti Airtel comes on board as headline sponsor, signalling their commitment to African music and youth culture after buying Zain Africa's business operations earlier this year.

The sponsorship was announced by André Beyers, chief marketing officer, Airtel Africa and Alex Okosi, senior vice-president and managing director, MTV Networks Africa.

Conceived in 2008 as the ultimate celebration of African contemporary music talent, the awards provide a major platform for the industry, championing, supporting and empowering African talent by broadcasting their music around the world via MTV's global multimedia network.