Hip Hop Superstar Future to Perform Mesmerising Live Set At the MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016

“The Future of Rap” To Make His African Debut at the Ticketpro Dome On 22 October

Tickets Available Now At ticketpros.co.za Priced From R250

Johannesburg/Lagos, 29 September 2016: Award-winning Hip Hop superstar, visionary mixtape supremo, MAMA 2016 nominee (Best International Act) and mesmerising live performer Future is set to perform at MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016 at the Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg, South Africa on 22 October.

Following his performance at the MAMA award show, as a bonus for fans Future will stage an extra live performance, reprising fan favourites from throughout his recording career from “Turn on the Lights”, to “Same Damn Time” and “Stick Talk”.

Born Navyvadius Cash, in Atlanta, Georgia, Future is known for his signature melodic flow and authentic “street” sound. The rapper first gained fame thanks to a series of classic mixtapes that gave light to his first single “Tony Montana”, before notching up three number one album debuts on the Billboard 200 chart in just 7 months thanks to DS2 (2015), “What a Time to be Alive” (his 2015 collaboration with Drake), and EVOL (2016).

An amazing 2016 has seen Future’s star rise higher than ever before thanks to the release of his critically acclaimed mixtape “Purple Reign”, swiftly followed by the launch of his fourth solo album EVOL. In March 2016, he completed his first, 22-date nationwide tour, then went on to win “Best Group” with Drake at the BET Awards 2016 for their collaboration “Jumpman”, before scoring 10 nominations at the BET Hip Hop Awards 2016, and performing a riveting live rendition of “Commas’ at the MTV VMAs in New York. He is currently nominated in the “Best Hip Hop” category at the 2016 MTV EMAs, which will take place on 6 November.

Commented Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, “Future has an amazing fan following in Africa and we are delighted that he will make his African performance debut on the MAMA 2016 stage in Johannesburg on 22 October.”

Future joins previously announced African performers Diamond, Emtee, Kwesta, Patoranking Alikiba, Babes Wodumo, Cassper Nyovest, Nasty C, Ycee and Yemi Alade.

The MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016 is brought to you by Joburg Tourism in partnership with Absolut Vodka and Google and in association with MTN and DStv.

Highlighting the “gold standard” in contemporary music, creativity and achievement, The MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016 promises to be the biggest and best ever, with more than 15,000 music lovers expected to party up a storm at the Ticketpro Dome for this spectacular showcase. Tickets for the awards are on sale now priced ZAR 250 (standing only), and ZAR 300 (bleachers) via www.ticketpros.co.za, and at Ticketpro retail outlets or dealers. Over the age of 18 only.

The definitive annual celebration of African and international talent and achievement, MAMA 2016 recognises and rewards musicians and achievers who have made the most impact on African music and youth culture over the previous year. The ceremony will feature stunning performances from African and international artists along with the show’s signature cross-genre and cross-border collaborations.

DStv, e.tv and Metro FM are the official South African media partners of the MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016.

For more information on the MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016, please go to www.mtvbase.com or www.mtv.co.za 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 #MTVMAMA2016.

About MTV
MTV is the world’s premiere youth entertainment brand. With a global reach of nearly 785 million households, MTV is the cultural home of the millennial generation, music fans and artists, and a pioneer in creating innovative programming for young people. MTV reflects and creates pop culture with its award-winning content built around compelling storytelling, music discovery and activism across TV, online and mobile. Outside of the United States, MTV is part of Viacom International Media Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all platforms.

About Johannesburg
Johannesburg, also known as Joburg, Jozi or Egoli (“Place of Gold”), is the economic powerhouse of Africa, gateway to many parts of the world – and home to 4.6 million people. Over 55 international airlines link the city to major centres worldwide, making Johannesburg one of the most accessible centres on the continent. Now proudly taking its place as Africa’s most visited city for three consecutive years (2013, 2014 & 2015 – according to the MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index), Joburg is growing at an unprecedented rate, constantly and continuously transforming itself. Joburg, also offers a plethora of cultural, leisure, sporting, fashion and lifestyle activities that are fast making the city the leading destination for both leisure and business tourists. Joburg’s legendary shopping, dining, entertainment and nightlife are complemented by fabulous weather, as well as an astonishing array of facilities including spectacular golf courses, gyms, spas and wellness centres that add to its appeal as a destination.

Aside from being Africa’s Most Visited City, the stature of Johannesburg is underscored by the many accolades that it has received, including:

• The “Most Popular African City” overall for young people aged 15-to-29 in 2015 – Youthful Cities Index
• SA’s wealthiest city
• The Best City in South Africa for Business
• The New Cool Capital of the Southern Hemisphere (GQ Magazine, UK – 2015)

For further information please go to www.joburgtourism.com or contact +27 87 151 2950

About ABSOLUT Vodka
On every bottle of ABSOLUT, you will find the portrait of an extraordinary entrepreneur and the founder of the world’s most iconic vodka brand: Lars Olsson Smith. In 1879, at 43, he created the purest vodka that gave birth to the ABSOLUT brand we know today. His superior vodka blend was made out of a distinct character of grain using a revolutionary distilling method called continuous distillation. ABSOLUT’s reputation as a premium vodka applies the simple concept of “One Source”. This means that the sourcing of all natural ingredients to the bottling of the final product is completed at one location to maintain the highest levels of quality and production, i.e.Åhus, Sweden.

About MTN Group
Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a multinational telecommunications group, operating in 22 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: “MTN.” As of 30 June 2016, MTN recorded 233 million subscribers across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia. Visit us at www.mtn.com.

About Google
Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. For more information, visit Google at Google Africa G+ page or the Google Africa Blog: google-africa.blogspot.com. You can also follow Google’s Africa team on Twitter: twitter.com/googleafrica.

About DStv
Over 5.7 million South Africans invite DStv into their homes every day. With a sporting offering that is unrivalled, blockbuster movies, children’s entertainment, independent news channels and the most awarded series, as well as the best of local content, it’s not surprising that DStv continues to grow its customer base every year. DStv delivers this content through a range of different platforms – from its flagship Explora decoder to its DStv Now app. The additional services it offers such as streaming live television and Catch Up on DStv Now app, its DStv Catch Up and BoxOffice service, puts its offering amongst the best on demand providers in the world.