The humongous success recorded by the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), which held in Lagos, Nigeria from January 7 to 11 in an atmosphere of unity, colour and creativity, has further portrayed the award platform as the biggest on the continent.
To buttress this assertion, 1,216 artistes, delegates and industry stakeholders from 48 African countries had besieged Lagos for the awards. According to the President/Executive Producer, Mike Dada, AFRIMA is not just about giving awards. It is about bringing Africa together under one roof to celebrate the continents stories, culture and future through music.
“I am happy that we had delegates from at least 48 countries, including 1,216 artistes, delegates and production team members. Looking at the winners, all regions of Africa are represented, showing the growth of our music industry. Artistes from South Africa, Côte dIvoire, Algeria and Ethiopia were among those who led in the major categories,” he enthused.
Cote dIvoire recorded multiple wins, with Milo and Morijah taking the male and female African Inspirational categories, Didi B emerging as Best African Lyricist or Rapper, and Team Paiya winning Best African Duo, Group or Band.
From Ethiopia, Haddinqo won Best African Jazz, Weeha claimed Best African Dance/Choreography, while Veronica Adane won Best African Traditional. Guinea celebrated Manamba Kanté as Best African Pop and Takana Zion as Best African Reggae, Ragga & Dancehall.
Benins Axel Merryl won Best African Contemporary, while Senegals Bakhaw Dioum was named Songwriter of the Year. Algeria produced winners in DJ Moh Green (Best African DJ) and Izlan (Best African Rock), while Rwandas Element Eleéh and Mugisha Fred Robinson won Producer of the Year.
In East Africa, Juma Jux (Tanzania) won Best Male Artiste, while Fole X claimed Best African Video of the Year for Ololufe. Denise from Madagascar won Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa.
Northern Africa winners included Adviser (Mauritania) and Sherine (Tunisia), while Southern Africa celebrated Yo Maps (Zambia), Nontokozo Mkhize and Ciza (South Africa). Central Africa honours went to Singuila (Republic of Congo) and Cindy Le Cur (DRC), while Ghanas Wendy Shay won Best Female Artiste in Western Africa.
The weeklong celebration began with a Welcome Soiree to formally receive nominees and guests. It held at the residence of the Deputy British High Commissioner on Wednesday, January 7. Activities continued with Africa Music Business Summit at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, and on Friday, January 9, attention shifted to AFRIMA Music Village at Ikeja City Mall where over 25 A-list artistes treated more than 20,000 people to the best of music at the high-octane concert.
The Eko Convention Centre was filled beyond capacity as thousands thronged the venue to witness the grand finale of the 9th AFRIMA Awards where artistes, producers, video and sound directors, among others were honoured with the prestigious 23.9-carat gold-plated AFRIMA trophy.