Afrobeats star, Rema, beat heavyweights like Davido, Burna Boy, Tyla, DJ Maphorisa and Egypt’s Amr Diab to emerge the Artiste of the Year at the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) held on Sunday, January 11 at Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Organised in conjunction with the African Union, with the support of Lagos State government, the 9th edition of Africa’s global music awards was a weeklong of activities that began with Welcome Soiree hosted by the British High Commission on Wednesday, January 7, and followed by Africa Music Business Summit on January 8.
The Ikeja City Mall was a beehive of activities on Friday, January 9, as more than 20,000 people thronged the venue for the AFRIMA Music Village that paraded more than two dozens A-list African artistes including Femi Kuti, Seyi Vibez, Mr P, Odumodublvck, Yemi Alade, Wande Coal, 9ice, Zlatan Ibile, Diamond Platinumz, KCee, Moliy, Adewale Ayuba, Jeriq, Juma Jux, Oritsefemi, Stonebwoy, Innos’ B and Saheed Osupa.
Rema’s victory in the top category crowned an exceptional year for the singer, and beyond the biggest prize of the night, he also won awards for Best Male Artiste in Western Africa and Best African Artiste in African R&B and Soul.
Tanzania’s Juma Jux, Nigeria’s fast-rising star Shallipopi, as well as established acts like Yemi Alade, also recorded notable wins. Jux was named Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa, beating other top names from the region. He further celebrated success in the technical categories, as Ololufe, his collaboration with Diamond Platnumz, won Best African Video of the Year.
Street-pop sensation Shallipopi continued his impressive rise with two significant awards. His hit song, Laho won Song of the Year, one of the night’s most competitive categories. The remix of the song, featuring Burna Boy, also earned him Best African Collaboration, highlighting the song’s widespread appeal across the continent.
Though, he missed out of the top individual prize, Burna Boy still made a strong statement. His album, No Sign of Weakness, was named Album of the Year. Ivorian lyricist, Didi B, also made a strong statement on the night with the Best African Lyricist or Rapper Award, just as Ciza from South Africa walked away with the Breakout Artiste of the Year award.
Other highlights included Rwanda’s Element Eleéh and Mugisha Fred Robinson winning Producer of the Year, Senegal’s Bakhaw Dioum taking Songwriter of the Year, and Nigeria’s Chella winning African Fans’ Favourite. Yemi Alade took home Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary for her song, You Are from the animated series, Iyanu.
Winners in other Regional categories are Singuila, who won Best Male Artiste in Central Africa, while Cindy Le Coeur emerged as Best Female Artiste in Central Africa. Denise claimed Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa, while Adviser (Mauritania) and Sherine of Egypt won the male and female awards in Northern Africa.
In Southern Africa, Yo Maps and Nontokozo Mkhize topped the male and female categories respectively, while Wendy Shay emerged as Best Female Artiste in Western Africa.
In her remarks at the award ceremony, Head of Culture Division at African Union Commission, Angela Martins, appreciated the Lagos State Government, and most especially, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the immense support given to the 9th AFRIMA.
“This partnership has demonstrated what is possible when government, continental institutions, and creative platforms collaborate. Our collaboration with AFRIMA has not only strengthened unity across Africa, it has also elevated our culture, amplified African creativity and showcased Lagos as a true cultural capital of the continent,” she declared.
THE AWARDEES
LIST OF WINNERS:
REGIONAL CATEGORY
Best Male Artist in Central Africa
C4 Pedro (Angola)
Eboloko (Gabon)
Gims (DRC)
Gerilson Insrael (Angola)
Kocee (Cameroon)
L’Oiseau Rare (Gabon)
Fally Ipupa (DRC)
Magasco (Cameroon)
Singuila (The Congo) – Winner
Werrason (DRC)
Best Female Artiste in Central Africa
Anna Joyce (Angola)
Blanche Bailly (Cameroon)
Charlotte Dipanda (Cameroon)
Cindy Le Coeur (DRC) – Winner
Deborah Lukalu (DRC)
Emma’a (Gabon)
Jessy B (The Congo)
Krys M (Cameroon)
Liriany (Angola)
Rebo (DRC)
Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa
Bien (Kenya)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Element Eleéh (Rwanda)
Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
Jux (Tanzania) – Winner
Marioo (Tanzania)
Mbosso (Tanzania)
Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
Sat-B (Burundi)
Yared Negu (Ethiopia)
Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa
Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
Bridget Blue (Kenya)
Denise (Madagascar) – Winner
Haleluya Tekletsadik (Ethiopia)
Lady Jaydee (Tanzania)
Mahlet Wendimu (Ethiopia)
Salemia (Ethiopia)
Weeha (Ethiopia)
Winnie Nwagi (Uganda)
Zuchu (Tanzania)
Best Male Artiste in Northern Africa
A.L.A. (Tunisia)
Adviser (Mauritania) – Winner
Amr Diab (Egypt)
Cheb Momo (Algeria)
El Grande Toto (Morocco)
Hamza Namira (Egypt)
Lbenj (Morocco)
Mohamed Ramadan (Egypt)
Stormy (Morocco)
Wegz (Egypt)
Best Female Artiste in Northern Africa
Chirine Lajmi (Tunisia)
Inez (Morocco)
Jannat (Egypt)
Jaylann (Morocco)
Manal (Morocco)
Meryem Aboulouafa (Morocco)
Sherine (Egypt) – Winner
Zina Daoudia (Morocco)
Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa
Anderson Mário (Mozambique)
Jah Prayzah (Zimbabwe)
Manana (Eswatini)
Nasty C (South Africa)
Teddy Makadi (Malawi)
Tyler ICU (South Africa)
Wanitwamos (South Africa)
Yo Maps (Zambia) – Winner
Zeze Kingston (Malawi)
Kazba De Small (South Africa)
Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa
Babalwa M (South Africa)
Hanna (Zimbabwe)
Makhadzi (South Africa)
Nkosazana Daughter (South Africa)
Nontokozo Mkhize (South Africa) – Winner
Sha Sha (Zimbabwe)
Temwah (Malawi)
Tyla (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles (Eswatini)
Zee Nxumalo (South Africa)
Best Male Artiste in Western Africa
Asake (Nigeria)
Axel Merryl (Benin)
Black Sherif (Ghana)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Davido (Nigeria)
Didi B (Côte d’Ivoire)
Djodje (Cape Verde)
Rema (Nigeria) – Winner
VJ (Senegal)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Best Female Artiste in Western Africa
Amaarae (Ghana)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Djelykaba Bintou (Guinea)
Josey (Côte d’Ivoire)
Mariam Ba Lagaré (Mali)
Mia Guissé (Senegal)
Moliy (Ghana)
Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
Wendy Shay (Ghana) – Winner
CONTINENTAL CATEGORY
Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music
Christian Mukuna (DRC)
Djunny Beatz (Mozambique)
Gaise Baba (Nigeria)
Israel Mbonyi (Rwanda)
Jah Prayzah (Zimbabwe)
Joel Lwaga (Tanzania)
Kocee (Cameroon)
Lawrence Oyor (Nigeria)
Milo (Côte d’Ivoire) – Winner
Sjava (South Africa)
Best Female Artiste in African Inspirational Music
Ada Ehi (Nigeria)
Choisie Basolua (DRC)
Krys M (Cameroon)
Martha Mwaipaja (Tanzania)
Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)
Morijah (Côte d’Ivoire) – Winner
Nontokozo Mkhize (South Africa)
Roseline Layo (Côte d’Ivoire)
Vestine & Dorcas (Rwanda)
Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Jazz
Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad (Ghana)
Haddinqo (Ethiopia) – Winner
Made Kuti (Nigeria)
Rorisang Sechele (South Africa)
Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane (South Africa)
The Cavemen (Nigeria)
Alune Wade (Senegal)
Nomfundo Xaluva (South Africa)
Kyle Shepherd Trio (South Africa)
Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Pop
Adviser (Mauritania)
Amadeus (Senegal)
Amr Diab (Egypt)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Gims (Congo DRC)
Lbenj (Morocco)
Manamba Kanté (Guinea) – Winner
Seyi Vibez (Nigeria)
Mohamed Ramadan (Egypt)
Saad Lmjarred (Morocco)
Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Contemporary
Fireboy DML (Nigeria)
Axel Merryl (Benin) – Winner
Espe Bass (Congo B)
Bien (Kenya)
Jaylann (Morocco)
Kizz Daniel, Angélique Kidjo & Johnny Drille (Nigeria)
Mbosso (Tanzania)
Ferre Gola & Rayvanny (DRC)
Didine Canon 16 (Algeria)
Wendy Shay (Ghana)
Best Soundtrack in Movie, Series or Documentary
Igho’le Trap Mix Version (To Kill a Monkey: Series) – Oscar Heman-Ackah (Ghana)
El Ma2as (The Start: Film) – Tamer Hosny, Reda Elbahrawy (Egypt)
You Are (Iyanu: The Animated Series) – Yemi Alade (Nigeria) – Winner
Timpi Tampa (Timpi Tampa: The Film) – Ismaël Lo (Senegal)
Tori Ife (Seven Doors: Series) – Tolu Obanro (Nigeria)
Saatte Ragouj The Last of the Mohicans Film) – Kafon (Tunisia)
Songwriter of the Year
Bakhaw Dioum – Choix (Mia Guissé ft. Wally B. Seck) (Senegal) – Winner
Emel, Jehanny Beth & Camille Berthomier – Fall in the Light (Tunisia)
Emma’a – Trop d’amour (Gabon)
Emmanuel Ayobami Alli-Hakeem – Za (Anendlessocean) (Nigeria)
Ferre Gola – Amour Illusoire (DRC)
Mohammed Ismail Sharrif – Rebel Music (Black Sherif) (Ghana)
Mugisha Fred Robinson – Tombé (Element Eleéh) (Rwanda)
Olamide Adedeji – Hassibunallah (Olamide) (Nigeria)
Prince Omoferi & Nwamu Francis Chukwudubem – It Hurts (Johnny Drille & Don Jazzy) (Nigeria)
Victor Ngatuvese Kaune – Oputuri Queens (One Blood Namibia) (Namibia)
Best Global Act
Rosé (South Korea/USA)
Joé Dwèt File (Haiti)
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars (USA)
Fantomel & Kate Linn (Romania)
Drake (Canada)
Alex Warren (USA)
Doechii (USA)
Ed Sheeran (UK)
Yung Bredda (Trinidad & Tobago)
African Fans’ Favourite
Ali Jita (Nigeria)
Barnaba (Tanzania)
BNXN & Rema (Nigeria)
Chella (Nigeria) – Winner
Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
Innoss’b (DRC)
Kizz Daniel (Nigeria)
Parazar (Algeria)
Faceless (Nigeria)
Tul8te (Egypt)
Best African DJ
DJ Malvado (Angola)
DJ Maphorisa (South Africa)
DJ Moh Green (Algeria)
DJ Mombochi (The Congo)
DJ Tunez (Nigeria)
DJ YK Mule (Nigeria)
Kelvin Momo (South Africa)
Oscar Mbo (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles (Eswatini)
Woodblock Djs (South Africa)
Producer of the Year
Beneth Seraphin Akatché Koffi (Senegal)
Butternut, Xolani Majoz (South Africa)
Dina One (Mali)
Element Eleéh & Mugisha Fred Robinson (Rwanda) – Winner
Jazzworx (South Africa)
Progrex (Nigeria)
DaVinci (Angola)
Tempoe (Nigeria)
Themba Sekowe, Gomolemo Joy Gumede, Kabelo Motha (South Africa)
Album of the Year
Ebtadena – Amr Diab (Egypt)
No Sign of Weakness – Burna Boy (Nigeria) – Winner
5ive – Davido (Nigeria)
Diyilem & Bazarhoff: Genius – Didi B (Côte d’Ivoire)
Ngomoya – DJ Maphorisa & XDuppy (South Africa)
Salgoat – El Grande Toto (Morocco)
Big Aka 4 Aka Kai – Himra (Côte d’Ivoire)
Thato Ya Modimo – Kelvin Momo (South Africa)
Idrache (Traces of the Past) – Tinariwen (Mali)
Best African Video of the Year
Rebel – Black Sherif (Ghana)
Meta – Nomcebo Zikode & Sofiya Nzau (South Africa)
Ki Lo Wa Wa – Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
Timpi Tampa – Ismaël Lo (Senegal)
Tori Ife – Tolu Obanro (Nigeria)
Ova – Mbosso (Tanzania) –
Ololufe – Juma Jux & Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) – Winner
Shaolin – Seyi Vibez (Nigeria)
Stk Stk – Dizzy Dros, Kekra & Norfafrica (Morocco)
Song of the Year
Isaka (6AM) – Ciza, Jazzworx & Thukuthela (South Africa)
Bengicela – Mawhoo Gl Ceejay & Thukuthela (South Africa)
Choix – Mia Guissé (Senegal)
Diplomatico – El Grande Toto (Morocco)
Kaay Waay – VJ (Senegal)
Laho – Shallipopi (Nigeria) – Winner
Ololufe Mi – Jux & Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Push 2 Start – Tyla (South Africa)
Shake it to the Max – Moliy, Shenseea, Skillibeng & Silent Addy (Ghana)
With You – Davido (Nigeria)
Best African Dance/Choreography
Jaylann – Ha Wlidi (Morocco)
Lady Ponce – Je veux danser (Cameroon)
Rebo – Mobambo (DRC)
Serge Beynaud – Taper Dedans (Côte d’Ivoire)
Toofan – Deodorant (Togo)
Tyla – Push 2 Start (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles & Royal Musiq – Zenzele (Eswatini)
Weeha – Dimama (Ethiopia) – Winner
Werrason – Tout se paie ici bas (DRC)
Wizkid – Kese (Nigeria)
Best African Act Reggae, Ragga & Dancehall
Magasco – Dirty Whine (Cameroon)
Moliy, Shenseea, Skillibeng & Silent Addy – Shake it to the Max (Ghana)
Ruger & Kranium – Dudu (Nigeria)
Sean Morgan – Vuu (Malawi)
Black Sherif – Rebel Music (Ghana)
Takana Zion – On My Eyes (Guinea) – Winner
Tiwa Savage – Forgiveness (Nigeria)
Wakadinli – Kum Baba (Kenya)
Yemi Alade – Baddie (Nigeria)
Iyani, Mwanaa & Cedo – Kifo cha Mende (Kenya)
Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Rock
Laeke – Eskeneka (Ethiopia)
Izlan – Amezyan (Algeria) – Winner
Franck Biyong – Struggle 4 Money (Cameroon)
Rash – Do or Die (Kenya)
Mdou Moctar – Imouhar (Niger)
Chrissy Zebby Tembo & The Ngozi Family – I Am Not Made of Iron (Zambia)
Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Traditional
Big Zulu – Ng’sale Nobani (South Africa)
Chirine Lajmi – Echeh Echeh (Tunisia)
Lady Ponce – Je veux danser (Cameroon)
Lama Shreif – Jayek Lahsseb (Tunisia)
Larry Gaaga, Flavour & Queen Theresa Onuorah – Obodo (Nigeria)
Sona Tata – Nainai Bana (Guinea)
Stonebwoy – Jejereje (Ghana)
Tinariwen – Amoss Idjraw (Mali)
Tonton Pal & Binguini Bakhaga – Couronne (Mali)
Veronica Adane – Kante Lela (Ethiopia)- Winner
Best African Collaboration
Blanche Bailly & Lady Ponce – Lève toi (Cameroon)
Goon Flavour, Master Kg & Eemoh –Ngishutheni (South Africa)
Mia Guissé ft. Wally Seck – Choix (Senegal)
Moliy, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea – Shake It to the Max (Ghana)
Paki Chenzu ft. Himra – Assaut (Togo/Côte d’Ivoire)
Shallipopi ft. Burna Boy – Laho (Nigeria) – Winner
Uncle Waffles ft. Cowboii, Royal Musiq, Uncool MC & Xduppy – Zenzele (Eswatini)
Davido ft. Omah Lay – With You (Nigeria)
Mawhoo, GL Ceejay & Thukuthela ft. Jazzworx – Bengicela (South Africa)
Benny Adam & Khadija El Warzazia – Mok Ya Mok (Morocco)
Most Promising Artiste of the Year
Cysoul (Cameroon)
Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
King Luca (Cameroon)
L’Oiseau Rare (Gabon)
Lwah Ndlunkulu (South Africa)
Massamba Amadeus (Senegal)
Qing Madi, Valorant (Nigeria) – Winner
Rym (Morocco)
Kunmie (Nigeria)
Fola (Nigeria)
Artiste of the Year
Amr Diab (Egypt)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Davido (Nigeria)
DJ Maphorisa (South Africa)
Fally Ipupa (DRC)
Jux (Tanzania)
Rema (Nigeria) – Winner
Shallipopi (Nigeria)
Tyla (South Africa)
Breakout Artiste of the Year
Blaq Major (South Africa)
Ciza (South Africa) – Winner
Eboloko (Gabon)
Himra (Côte d’Ivoire)
Marioo (Tanzania)
Mawhoo (South Africa)
Moliy (Ghana)
Shallipopi (Nigeria)
Trap King (Algeria)
VJ (Senegal)
Best African Lyricist Rapper
ALA (Tunisia)
Didi B (Côte d’Ivoire) – Winner
Jessy B (Congo B)
Klassafan le Melangeur (Guinea)
Nasty C & Usimamane (South Africa)
Nyashinski (Kenya)
Reminisce (Nigeria)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Switch (Libya)
Yacou B OG (Mali)
Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Hiphop
ALA ft. Mootjeyek (Tunisia)
Eboloko (Gabon)
El Grande Toto (Morocco)
Himra (Côte d’Ivoire)
Phyno (Nigeria) – Winner
Nasty C & Usimamane (South Africa)
Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Suspect 95 (Côte d’Ivoire)
Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African RnB & Soul
Bensoul & V- Be (Kenya)
Big Zulu ft. Malungelo (South Africa)
Braye (Nigeria)
Calema (Sao Tome)
Emma’a (Gabon)
Kunmie (Nigeria)
Manal (Morocco)
Naledi Aphiwe & Mawelele (South Africa)
Rema (Nigeria) – Winner
Wegz ft. Tayc (Egypt)
Best African Duo, Group or Band
Babylone (Algeria)
Blaq Diamond (South Africa)
Celema (Sao Tome & Principe)
Team Paiya (Côte d’Ivoire) – Winner
The Cavemen (Nigeria)
Tinariwen (Mali)
Toofan (Togo)
Vestine & Dorcas (Rwanda)
Wapendwa Muziki (Kenya)
We Are Nubia (Kenya)