The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) is an annual awards event established by the International Committee AFRIMA, in collaboration with the African Union. AFRIMA is not to be confused with the Afrikan Musik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) – a celebration of African music in the diaspora – which took place in October in Dallas.
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AFRIMA was created with an objective; ‘to promote the distinct rich African music worldwide, engaging millions of fans by propelling African music to glorious pinnacles beyond the borders of Africa.’ AFRIMA is now in its 6th year of celebration, and it held on the 23rd of November at the Eko Convention Centre (Eko Hotel & Suites).
An AFRIMA nominees list was released in August. Nominees fell under either the Continental or Regional category and were further divided according to region. There were 26 awards to be won in the Continental category, and 10 awards to be won in the Regional category. The Regional category celebrates achievements of African acts within Northern, Western, Eastern and Southern regions, while the Continental category recognizes achievements that cut across the continent.
Nigerian acts were nominated in 22 of the 26 Continental categories. Amongst several other Nigerians, Davido had the highest number of nominations (six), including Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, Artiste of the Year in Africa, Song of the Year in Africa, and African Fans’ Favourite. Burna Boy was not far behind with five nominations. Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid were all nominated for Best Male Artiste in Western Africa. Similarly, Niniola, Teni, Tiwa Savage, Simi, and Yemi Alade were all up for Best Female Artiste in Western Africa.
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The most exciting wins at the awards ceremony went to 2Baba, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Kel P and Joeboy. 2Baba was given the 2019 AFRIMA ‘Legendary Award’, alongside the Congolese Awilo Logomba.
See a list of the other Nigerian wins below:
• Producer of the Year in Africa – Kel P, Nigeria
• Song of the Year in Africa – Fever by Wizkid, Nigeria
• Best African DJ – DJ SPINALL, Nigeria
• Artist of the Year in Africa – Burna Boy, Nigeria
• Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Contemporary – 2face Idibia, Nigeria
• Best Male Artiste in Western Africa – Burna Boy, Nigeria
• Best Female Artist in Western Africa – Tiwa Savage, Nigeria
• Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Pop – Joeboy, Nigeria
Full list of Winners at AFRIMA 2019:
· Best Video Director Of The Year – Director Kenny, Tanzania
· Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Rock – Rash, Kenya
· Best Female Artiste Southern Africa – Nadia Nakai, South Africa
· Revelation of the African Continent – Nikita Kering, Kenya
· Best African DJ – DJ SPINALL, Nigeria
· Best Male Artiste in Central Africa – Salatiel, Cameroon
· Best Female Artist in Northern Africa – Nada Azhari, Morocco
· Best Female Artist in Central Africa – Shan’L, Gabon
· Best Male Artiste in Northern Africa – Amiinux, Morocco
· Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa – Khaligraph Jones, Kenya
· Artist of the Year in Africa – Burna Boy, Nigeria
· Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Contemporary – 2face Idibia, Nigeria
· Best Male Artist in Southern Africa – Sjava, South Africa
· African Fans’ Favourite – Mohamed Ramadan, Egypt
· Album of the Year in Africa – Afrikan Sauce by Sauti Sol, Kenya
· Best African Act in the Diaspora – Manno Beats, ft. Afrotronix & Vox Sambou, Chad
· Best Male Artiste in Western Africa – Burna Boy, Nigeria
· Best Female Artist in Western Africa – Tiwa Savage, Nigeria
· Best Female Artist in Eastern Africa – Nikita Kering, Kenya
· Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Pop – Joeboy, Nigeria
· Best African Collaboration – Nasty C ft. Rowlene
· Best African Artist, Duo or Group in African Electro – Manno Beats ft. Afrotronix & Vox Sambou
· Best African Duo, Group or Band – Sauti Sol, Kenya
· Best African Dance or Choreography – Aminux, Morocco
· Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Hip Hop – Nadia Nakai, South Africa
· Best African Rapper/Lyricist – Nasty C, South Africa
· Best Artist, Duo in Group in African Jazz – Owen & Tiana, Gabon
· Best Artist, Duo or Group in African R&B & Soul – Hillzy, Zimbabwe
· Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Reggae, Ragga or Dancehall – Stonebwoy, Ghana
· Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Traditional – Abrham Belanyeh, Ethiopia
· Best Female Artist, Duo or Group in African Inspirational Music – Kanvee Adams, Liberia
· Best Male Artist, Duo or Group in African Inspirational Music – Onesimus, Malawi
· Best African Video – Director Kenny, Tanzania
· Most Promising Artiste in Africa – Bráulio Alexandre, Angola
· Producer of the Year in Africa – Kel P, Nigeria
· Song of the Year in Africa – Fever by Wizkid, Nigeria
· Songwriter of the Year in Africa – Kanvee Adams, Liberia
Sources:
Okayafrica
Afrima
Featured Image Source: Flexty Entertainment