The 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) concluded in spectacular fashion on Sunday night in Lagos, with Nigeria's music elite leading the continent's victory charge. The star-studded ceremony saw a host of Nigerian artists, including Rema, Burna Boy, Yemi Alade, Shallipopi, Phyno, Qing Madi, and Chella, walk away with some of the night's most coveted honours.
Nigerian Dominance on the Continental Stage
The event, which celebrates musical excellence across Africa, was a clear testament to Nigeria's influential sound. Rema emerged as the biggest winner of the night, securing a remarkable three awards. His accolades included the prestigious Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, and Best African Artiste in RnB and Soul, solidifying his status as a continental powerhouse.
Burna Boy continued his award-winning streak by clinching the Album of the Year award for his project 'No Sign of Weakness'. Yemi Alade also shone brightly, winning Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary for her song 'You Are' from the animated series 'Iyanu'.
New and Established Talents Celebrate
The awards also highlighted the rise of new voices alongside established acts. Shallipopi won the highly competitive Song of the Year award for 'Laho' and also took home the Best African Collaboration trophy for the same track featuring Burna Boy. Veteran rapper Phyno was crowned Best African Artiste in African Hip-Hop.
In the fan-voted category, fast-rising singer Chella was named the African Fans' Favourite, while the promising Qing Madi beat out a strong field to win Most Promising Artiste of the Year.
A Pan-African Celebration of Music
While Nigerian artists enjoyed significant success, the awards truly represented the breadth of African talent. Winners hailed from across the continent, showcasing the diversity of its music scenes.
In the regional categories, Singuila (The Congo) won Best Male Artiste in Central Africa, while Cindy Le Coeur (DRC) took the female equivalent. Jux (Tanzania) and Denise (Madagascar) were tops in Eastern Africa. In Northern Africa, Wegz (Egypt) and Sherine (Egypt) won the male and female categories respectively.
Southern Africa celebrated Yo Maps (Zambia) as Best Male Artiste and Nontokozo Mkhize (South Africa) as Best Female Artiste. Ghana's Wendy Shay was named Best Female Artiste in Western Africa.
Other notable continental winners included Milo (Côte d'Ivoire) for Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music, Morijah (Côte d'Ivoire) in the female category, and Haddinqo (Ethiopia) for Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Jazz. The award for Best African DJ went to DJ Moh Green from Algeria.
The 9th AFRIMA awards not only rewarded past achievements but also set the stage for the future of African music, recognizing a blend of legendary figures and the next generation of stars poised to carry the sound of the continent forward.
