Johannesburg, Monday, 24 February 2025: Get ready to party because MTV Base is celebrating 2 decades on the continent! For 20 years, MTV Base has been the ultimate platform for amplifying African music, culture, and talent to the world. From Angola to Zanzibar, MTV Base has proudly showcased Africa’s diverse beats and voices, making a massive impact across generations. We live the culture!
Since its launch in February 2005, MTV Base has been at the forefront of shaping the sound of the continent. The channel has provided a stage for African artists and youth to embrace their culture and express themselves through music. From Hip Hop, Afrobeats, Gengetone and Asakaa to Bongo Flava, Gospel and Amapiano, MTV Base has been there every step of the way, championing Africa’s biggest stars from their first hit to global fame.
Remember when MTV Base aired 2Face Idibia’s “African Queen” as the very first music video? Or when the channel brought together legends like Lebo Mathosa, Seun Kuti, Will Smith, and Ludacris at the 100th LIVE! Concert? MTV Base facilitated reggae-dancehall artist Patoranking’s debut album and made history with Bonang Matheba, Nomzamo Mbatha, and Yemi Alade hosting the 2016 MTV Africa Music Awards.
MTV Base has always been a catalyst for cultural connection, bridging the gap between African artists and global audiences through music, art, and culture. The channel has promoted Pan-Africanism by exposing Africans to music from across the continent, and its events and programming have driven some of the most iconic pop culture moments. Including Wizkid’s BET Awards, Ayra Starr’s MOBO Awards, Riky Rick and AKA’s BET Hip Hop Awards and Tems, Burna Boy, Black Coffee and Tyla Grammy Awards.
The appreciation for talent extends to the on-air personalities who have thrived alongside MTV Base’s rise. From the discovery of presenters like Sandile GQ, Moozlie, and Sizwe Dhlomo through the MTV Base VJ Search, to the fresh faces of today like Lerai, Shamiso, and Fresh by Caddy, MTV Base has always been about celebrating the next generation.
“It’s an honour to walk in the footsteps of people who brought us the continent’s coolest pop culture moments,” says Fresh by Caddy. “Being mentioned amongst those legendary names shows that our generation can accomplish great stuff in fresh ways too.”
Catch these fresh faces on MTV Base’s lineup of upcoming shows like the finance-geared Capitec collab Base Sparks (starting 26 February at 17:30), the revamped round-up show Newsish (kicking off on 24 February), DJ-spotlighting Mixology (coming in March), and the chat-based Ones to Watch Roundtable (coming in April).
MTV Base has been a home to Africa’s biggest stars and a platform for discovering new talent. The channel has propelled the careers of award-winning alumni like Jah Prayzah, D’Banj, C4 Pedro, P-Square, Amani, Nameless, Mo’Cheddah, and Cassper Nyovest. MTV Base’s events and programming have contributed to cross-cultural exchange, enabling Africans to engage with each other’s culture and breaking creative barriers through cross-border collaboration.
Monde Twala, Senior Vice-President and GM of Paramount Africa and Lead of BET International, says, “We are proud to have played an essential part in the origin story of Africa’s 21st-century music and youth culture renaissance. This year, we have exciting events lined up to celebrate the impact of MTV Base, so watch this space! We look forward to the next 20 years of celebrating Africa’s young, powerful voices.”
As MTV Base marks this joyous moment of celebration, the brand has grown from a channel to a continental powerhouse with both on and offline reach. Through its expansive mission, MTV Base continues to live the culture, champion African talent, and celebrate African music and culture on global stages because now is Africa’s time.
ENDS
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