Entertainment
FULL LIST: AFRIMA Releases 2025 nominations As Shallipopi, Moliy, Ayra Star, Jux, Himra, Davido, El Grande Toto, Rema, Fally Ipupa, Others make list …voting starts on September 10
This year’s nominations followed a record-breaking 10,717 entries, the highest since the inception of AFRIMA 12 years ago. A 13-member International Jury, after 10 days of adjudication, shortlisted 343 nominees across 40 categories, representing Africa’s five regions and the diaspora.
The International Committee of AFRIMA confirmed that public voting will open globally on September 10, 2025, via the official AFRIMA website (www.afrima.org). Music lovers across Africa and the diaspora will be able to participate in determining the winners in the various categories. Voting will close on the eve of the main awards on November 30.
Nigeria’s Burna Boy and Davido both secured five nominations each. Burna Boy’s album No Sign of Weakness and Davido’s 5ive were both nominated for Album of the Year, while their hit singles also earned them spots in Song of the Year and Best Collaboration.
South Africa’s DJ Maphorisa matched them with five nods, including Best African DJ and Album of the Year. Morocco’s rap star El Grande Toto also secured five nominations, with his album Salgoat and hit Diplomaticocatching global attention.
Nigeria’s fast-rising street-pop sensation Shallipopi also stood tall with four nominations, including Artiste of the Year and Song of the Year for his collaboration Laho.
Senegal’s Mia Guissé and Ghana’s Moliy joined the top bracket with five nominations each, proving that female acts are now commanding major influence on the continent’s music stage.
One of the best-selling artists in the whole of the Middle East, Egypt’s Amr Diab scooped four nominations, just as Côte d’Ivoire’s Himra picked up three nominations, including Album of the Year. His album Big Aka 4 Aka Kai and hip-hop collaborations have made him one of the strongest newcomers in this year’s race.
Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz grabbed four nominations, continuing his dominance in East Africa. South Africa’s breakout star Tyla and Eswatini’s Uncle Waffles each earned four nominations, confirming the rising power of Amapiano and Afro-house sounds.
Cote d’Ivoire’s Didi B got three nominations, including Best Male Artiste in West Africa and Album of the Year, while Gabon’s Eboloko was listed for Breakout Artiste of the Year among his three nods, just as Emma’a also received three nominations, including Best Female Artiste in Central Africa.
DR Congo’s heavyweights are not left out. Fally Ipupabagged three nominations, including Artiste of the Year, while Ferre Gola earned three nods, among them Songwriter of the Year.
In North Africa, Morocco’s Jaylann received three nominations, while Tanzania’s Juma Jux also scored three, including Song of the Year for Ololufe mi. South Africa produced two triple nominees: Mawhoo, recognised for her hit Bengicela, and rap star Nasty C, who got three nods for his track Soft.
Nigeria’s Rema also emerged with three nominations, including Artiste of the Year and Best Male in West Africa.
Ayra Starr has two nominations, but she is contesting for the Artiste of the Year Award with big stars including Davido, Burna Boy and El Grande Toto.
The diaspora also shone brightly on the list, with male nominees such as DJ Snake, Gazo, Niska, Tayc, Tiakola, Tif, Werenoi, WizTheMC, L’Algérino, and Odeal making the cut. On the female side, the nominees include Aya Nakamura, Annatoria, Choisie Basolua, Darkoo, Deborah Lukalu, Faouzia, Ronisia, The Unveiled, Theodora, and Zaho.
AFRIMA jury member Delani Makhalima, who represents the Southern African region on the panel, described the 2025 nominees’ list as proof of how far African music has come.
“It’s been a dream of ours for a long time to work this hard to get to a place where African music can be heard by everyone. We were marginalised for so many years; our voices were not heard as artists, as creators, as songwriters, as producers, as engineers, as video makers, as filmmakers. Twelve years in, we’re now here. This is global. This is AFRIMA, the biggest music entity on the face of the continent,” he said.
In collaboration with the African Union Commission, AFRIMA 2025 is being organised alongside the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Official Host City, Lagos State.
The 2025 celebration will run from November 25 to 30, 2025, featuring the Welcome Soiree, the AFRIMA Music Village, the Africa Music Business Summit, a Host City Tour, the Nominees Party, and the Main Awards Ceremony. The grand finale on November 30 will be broadcast live to over 84 countries worldwide.
See the official list below:
AFRIMA2025 NOMINEES LIST
THE REGIONAL CATEGORY
BEST MALE ARTISTE IN CENTRAL AFRICA
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
C4 PEDRO
SEM QUERER
ANGOLA
2
EBOLOKO
SATANANA (FT. DRE-A)
GABON
3
GIMS
NINAO
DRC
4
GERILSON INSRAEL
AROMA INSANO
ANGOLA
5
KOCEE
STRANGER (WITH KS BLOOM)
CAMEROON
6
L’OISEAU RARE
NIAMATOS
GABON
7
FALLY IPUPA
LE TEMPS
DRC
8
MAGASCO
DIRTY WHINE (FT. MIMIE)
CAMEROON
9
SINGUILA
ON FAIT COMMENT
THE CONGO
10
WERRASON
TOUT SE PAIE ICI-BAS
DRC
BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN CENTRAL AFRICA
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
ANNA JOYCE
OUTRA VEZ
ANGOLA
2
BLANCHE BAILLY
LÈVE TOI (FT. LADY PONCE)
CAMEROON
3
CHARLOTTE DIPANDA
DIS MOI (FT. TAYC)
CAMEROON
4
CINDY LE COEUR
POUPIYE (FT. KOFFI OLOMIDÉ)
DRC
5
DEBORAH LUKALU
GOD IS GOOD
DRC
6
EMMA’A
ÇA M’A LAISSÉ
GABON
7
JESSY B
LA VIE EST BELLE (FT. BLACK M)
THE CONGO
8
KRYS M
MERCI
CAMEROON
9
LIRIANY
SUPER HOMEM
ANGOLA
10
REBO
MOBAMBO
DRC
BEST MALE ARTISTE IN EASTERN AFRICA
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
BIEN
ALL MY ENEMIES ARE SUFFERING
KENYA
2
DIAMOND PLATNUMZ
BABU (FT. MASTERPIECE_YVK)
TANZANIA
3
ELEMENT ELEÉEH
TOMBE
RWANDA
4
JOSHUA BARAKA
WRONG PLACES
UGANDA
5
JUX
GOD DESIGN (WITH PHYNO)
TANZANIA
6
MARIOO
HA HA HA
TANZANIA
7
MBOSSO
OVA
TANZANIA
8
BRUCE MELODIE
BEAUTY ON FIRE (FT. JOEBOY)
RWANDA
9
SAT-B
KIRISESE (FT. CHAMPURU MAKHENZO)
BURUNDI
10
YARED NEGU
ALEMDIM
ETHIOPIA
BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN EASTERN AFRICA
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
ABIGAIL CHAMS
ME TOO (WITH HARMONIZE)
TANZANIA
2
BRIDGET BLUE
I CHOOSE YOU (WITH BIEN)
KENYA
3
DENISE
MATOKY ZAGNAHARY
MADAGASCAR
4
HALELUYA TEKLETSADIK
YELEBE
ETHIOPIA
5
LADY JAYDEE
PO PO
TANZANIA
6
MAHLET WENDIMU
ZIM
ETHIOPIA
7
SALEMIA
ALEM BIRE
ETHIOPIA
8
WEEHA
DIMAMA
ETHIOPIA
9
WINNIE NWAGI
CONTROL IT
UGANDA
10
ZUCHU
AMANDA
TANZANIA
BEST MALE ARTISTE IN NORTHERN AFRICA
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
A.L.A.
MAKINA (FT. MOOTJEYEK)
TUNISIA
2
ADVISER
NDILLEN (FT. MIA GUISSÉ)
MAURITANIA
3
AMR DIAB
BABA
EGYPT
4
CHEB MOMO
ATITEHA L’AMOUR
ALGERIA
5
EL GRANDETOTO
DIPLOMATICO
MOROCCO
6
HAMZA NAMIRA
SHAMS W HAWA
EGYPT
7
LBENJ
RWINI (FT. MOUNIM SLIMANI)
MOROCCO
8
MOHAMED RAMADAN
ANA ENTA
EGYPT
9
STORMY
PIRATE
MOROCCO
10
WEGZ
ELWA3D
EGYPT
BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN NORTHERN AFRICA
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
CHIRINE LAJMI
ECHEH ECHEH
TUNISIA
2
INEZ
AH MIN HALA
MOROCCO
3
JANNAT
K2NAK ROH
EGYPT
4
JAYLANN
HA WLIDI
MOROCCO
5
MANAL
CABARET
MOROCCO
6
MERYEM ABOULOUAFA
HORSES
MOROCCO
7
SHERINE
BATMANA ANSAK
EGYPT
8
ZINA DAOUDIA
SUR SCÈNE
MOROCCO
BEST MALE ARTISTE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
ANDERSON MÁRIO
CHOROU
MOZAMBIQUE
2
JAH PRAYZAH
MANDIONEI
ZIMBABWE
3
MANANA
LITTLE THINGS
ESWATINI
4
NASTY C
SOFT (WITH USIMAMANE)
SOUTH AFRICA
5
TEDDY MAKADI
DESIRE
MALAWI
6
TYLER ICU
AWUNGEKE (WITH VISCA FT. LEEMCKRAZY, MR NATION THINGZ, VEERSA, CUBA BEATS, BUDDY KAY, TYRONE DEE & 2WOSHORT)
SOUTH AFRICA
7
WANITWAMOS
MFAZI WEPHEPHA (WITH NKOSAZANA DAUGHTER & MASTER KG FT. BIGZULU & ZEE NXUMALO )
SOUTH AFRICA
8
YO MAPS
MR & MRS
ZAMBIA
9
ZEZE KINGSTON
ACHISALE (WITH LEUMAS FT. NAE RAE)
MALAWI
10
KAZBA DE SMALL
NGYOZAMA (WITH DLALA THUKZIN FT. SYKES, YOUNG STUNNA, NKOSAZANA DAUGHTER, TRACY & THATOHATSI)
SOUTH AFRICA
BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
BABALWA M
BO THATA (FT. STIXX & NVCHO)
SOUTH AFRICA
2
HANNA
CAN’T STOP
ZIMBABWE
3
MAKHADZI
JEALOUS DOWN (FT. DR SKARO)
SOUTH AFRICA
4
NKOSAZANA DAUGHTER
EMSAKAZWENI (FT. NOBUHLE & ESSA KAY)
SOUTH AFRICA
5
NONTOKOZO MKHIZE
ESANDLENI
SOUTH AFRICA
6
SHA SHA
EGLASINI (FT. TYLER ICU, 2WOSHORT, SCOTTS MAPHUMA & TYRONE DEE)
ZIMBABWE
7
TEMWAH
MONEY ANTHEM (FT. MIC MASH)
MALAWI
8
TYLA
PUSH 2 START
SOUTH AFRICA
9
UNCLE WAFFLES
BAPHI (FT. ROYAL MUSIQ, COWBOII, MARK KHOZA & UNCOOL MC)
ESWATINI
10
ZEE NXUMALO
NGISAKUTHANDA (WITH TBO, PYY LOG DRUM KING FT. DJ TEARZ & DR. THULZ)
SOUTH AFRICA
BEST MALE ARTISTE IN WESTERN AFRICA
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
ASAKE
UHH YEAH
NIGERIA
2
AXEL MERRYL
TITULAIRE (FT. MIA GUISSÉ & BASS THIOUNG)
BENIN
3
BLACK SHERIF
REBEL MUSIC
GHANA
4
BURNA BOY
UPDATE
NIGERIA
5
DAVIDO
WITH YOU (FT. OMAH LAY)
NIGERIA
6
DIDI B
HOLIDAY SEASON
COTE D’IVOIRE
7
DJODJE
LUA
CAPE VERDE
8
REMA
BABY (IS IT A CRIME)
NIGERIA
9
VJ
KAAY WAAY
SENEGAL
10
WIZKID
KESE
NIGERIA
BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN WESTERN AFRICA
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
AMAARAE
S.M.O
GHANA
2
AYRA STARR
ALL THE LOVE
NIGERIA
3
DJELYKABA BINTOU
UNIQUE (FT. MIA GUISSÉ)
GUINEA
4
JOSEY
NE TOUCHE PAS MA SŒUR (WITH NEJ)
COTE D’IVOIRE
5
MARIAM BA LAGARÉ
MON CHOIX (FT. WALLY SECK)
MALI
6
MIA GUISSÉ
CHOIX (FT. WALLY SECK)
SENEGAL
7
MOLIY
SHAKE IT TO THE MAX (WITH SILENT ADDY, SKILLIBENG & SHENSEEA)
GHANA
8
TIWA SAVAGE
YOU 4 ME
NIGERIA
9
VIVIANE CHIDID
MANDOU
SENEGAL
10
WENDY SHAY
TOO LATE
GHANA
AFRIMA2025 NOMINEES LIST
CONTINENTAL CATEGORY
Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music
1
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
CHRISTIAN MUKUNA
TOMBWAMA
DRC
2
DJUNNY BEATZ
PRAY FOR MOZ (FT. NIKOTINA KF)
MOZAMBIQUE
3
GAISE BABA
NO TURNING BACK II (WITH LAWRENCE OYOR)
NIGERIA
4
ISRAEL MBONYI
KAA NAMI
RWANDA
5
JAH PRAYZAH
MIBVUNZO
ZIMBABWE
6
JOEL LWAGA
OLODUMARE
TANZANIA
7
KOCEE
STRANGER (WITH KS BLOOM)
CAMEROON/COTE D’IVOIRE
8
LAWRENCE OYOR
FAVOUR
NIGERIA
9
MILO
C’EST MON ANNÉE
COTE D’IVORIE
10
SJAVA
UYENA
SOUTH AFRICA
BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN AFRICAN INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC
2
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
ADA EHI
YES SIR (MERCY CHINWO)
NIGERIA
2
CHOISIE BASOLUA
EKOMAMA
DRC
3
KRYS M
MERCI
CAMEROUN
4
MARTHA MWAIPAJA
KUSHINDA LAZIMA
TANZANIA
5
MERCY CHINWO
WE MOVE
NIGERIA
6
MORIJAH
ADN DU TRÈS HAUT
COTE D’IVOIRE
7
NONTOKOZO MKHIZE
ESANDLENI
SOUTH AFRICA
8
ROSELINE LAYO
ZOE
COTE D’IVOIRE
9
VESTINE & DORCAS
YEBO (NITAWALE)
RWANDA
BEST AFRICAN ARTISTE, DUO OR GROUP IN AFRICAN JAZZ
3
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
ADRIAN YOUNGE & ALI SHAHEED MUHAMMAD
OBI DO WOA (IF SOMEONE LOVES YOU) (FT. EBO TAYLOR)
GHANA
2
HADDINQO
TIZITA THE KEBENA (FT. MOSEB BAND)
ETHIOPIA
3
MÁDÉ KUTI
WAIT AND SEE
NIGERIA
4
RORISANG SECHELE
AFRICAN ORCHID
SOUTH AFRICA
5
SIBUSISO MASH MASHILOANE
KWANDEBELE
SOUTH AFRICA
6
THE CAVEMEN
MEDICINE
NIGERIA
7
ALUNE WADE
BOOGIE & JUJU
SENEGAL
8
NOMFUNDO XALUVA
WENDILE
SOUTH AFRICA
9
KYLE SHEPHERD TRIO
TEARDROP
SOUTH AFRICA
BEST AFRICAN ARTISTE, DUO OR GROUP IN AFRICAN POP
4
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
ADVISER
NDILLEN (FT. MIA GUISSÉ)
MAURITANIA
2
AMADEUS
JËLI (FT. WALLY B. SECK)
SENEGAL
3
AMR DIAB
BABA
EGYPT
4
BURNA BOY
CHANGE YOUR MIND (FT. SHABOOZEY)
NIGERIA
5
GIMS
NINAO
CONGO DRC
6
LBENJ
RWINI (FT. MOUNIM SLIMANI)
MOROCCO
7
MANAMBA KANTÉ
KOUMA
GUINEA
8
SEYI VIBEZ
SHAOLIN
NIGERIA
9
MOHAMED RAMADAN
ANA ENTA
EGYPT
10
SAAD LMJARRED
RISKIN
MOROCCO
BEST ARTISTE, DUO OR GROUP IN AFRICAN CONTEMPORARY
5
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
FIREBOY DML
ISEOLUWA
NIGERIA
2
AXEL MERRYL
TITULAIRE (FT. MIA GUISSÉ & BASS THIOUNG)
BENIN
3
ESPE BASS
LE TEMPS DES NOCES (FT. EXTRA MUSICA
CONGO B
4
BIEN
ALL MY ENEMIES ARE SUFFERING
KENYA
5
JAYLANN
HA WLIDI
MOROCCO
6
KIZZ DANIEL, ANGÉLIQUE KIDJO & JOHNNY DRILLE
POLICE
NIGERIA
7
MBOSSO
OVA
TANZANIA
8
FERRE GOLA & RAYVANNY
MOBONDO
DRC
9
DIDINE CANON 16
SMAHT OU MCHIT
ALGERIA
10
WENDY SHAY
TOO LATE
GHANA
BEST SOUNDTRACK IN MOVIE, SERIES, OR DOCUMENTARY
6
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
IGHO’LE TRAP MIX VERSION (“TO KILL A MONKEY”: SERIES)
OSCAR HEMAN-ACKAH (FT. PRESIDENT EMS & UZIKWENDU)
GHANA
2
EL MA2AS (“THE START”: FILM)
TAMER HOSNY, REDA ELBAHRAWY
EGYPT
3
YOU ARE (“IYANU”: THE ANIMATED SERIES)
YEMI ALADE
NIGERIA
4
TIMPI TAMPA (“TIMPI TAMPA”: THE FILM)
ISMAËL LO
SENEGAL
5
TORI IFE (“SEVEN DOORS”: SERIES)
TOLU OBANRO
NIGERIA
6
SAATTE RAGOUJ (“THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS” FILM)
KAFON
TUNISIA
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
7
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
BAKHAW DIOUM
CHOIX (MIA GUISSÉ FT. WALLY B. SECK)
SENEGAL
2
EMEL, JEHNNY BETH & CAMILLE BERTHOMIER
FALL IN THE LIGHT (EMEL FT. JEHNNY BETH)
TUNISIA
3
EMMA’A
TROP D’AMOUR
GABON
4
EMMANUEL AYOBAMI ALLI-HAKEEM
ZA (ANENDLESSOCEAN)
NIGERIA
5
FERRE GOLA
AMOUR ILLUSOIRE (FERRE GOLA)
DRC
6
MOHAMMED ISMAIL SHARRIF
REBEL MUSIC (BLACK SHERIF)
GHANA
7
MUGISHA FRED ROBINSON
TOMBÉ (ELEMENT ELEÉEH)
RWANDA
8
OLAMIDE ADEDEJI
HASSIBUNALLAH (OLAMIDE)
NIGERIA
9
PRINCE OMOFERI & NWAMU FRANCIS CHUKWUDUBEM
IT HURTS (JOHNNY DRILLE & DON JAZZY)
NIGERIA
10
VICTOR NGATUVESE KAUNE
OPUTURI “QUEENS” (ONE BLOOD NAMIBIA)
NAMIBIA
BEST GLOBAL ACT
8
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
ROSÉ
APT (WITH BRUNO MARS)
SOUTH KOREA/USA
2
JOÉ DWÈT FILE
4 KAMPÉ
HAITI
3
LADY GAGA & BRUNO MARS
DIE WITH A SMILE
USA
4
FANTOMEL & KATE LINN
DAME UN GRR
ROMANIA
5
DRAKE
NOKIA
CANADA
6
ALEX WARREN
ORDINARY
USA
7
DOECHII
ANXIETY
USA
8
ED SHEERAN
AZIZAM
UK
9
YUNG BREDDA
THE GREATEST BEND OVER
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
AFRICAN FANS’ FAVOURITE
9
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
ALI JITA
HUBBI AISHA
NIGERIA
2
BARNABA
SALAMA (FT. DIAMOND PLATNUMZ)
TANZANIA
3
BNXN & REMA
FI KAN WE KAN
NIGERIA
4
CHELLA
MY DARLING
NIGERIA
5
DLALA THUKZIN
SOHLALA SISONKE
SOUTH AFRICA
6
INNOSS’B
CHILLING
DRC
7
KIZZ DANIEL
MARHABA
NIGERIA
8
PARAZAR
GHIR HAK
ALGERIA
9
FACELESS
VENUS (FT. SERØTONIN)
NIGERIA
10
TUL8TE
MATEEGY A3ADY ALEIKY
EGYPT
10
BEST AFRICAN DJ
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
DJ MALVADO
MUSSOLA (WITH & DJ AKA-M FT. DODY)
ANGOLA
2
DJ MAPHORISA
DLALA KA YONA (WITH XDUPPY & ENNY MAN DA GUITAR FT. FOCALISTIC, RICKY LENYORA, UNCOOL MC)
SOUTH AFRICA
3
DJ MOH GREEN
KELELE
ALGERIA
4
DJ MOMBOCHI
LIFOLI (FT. PATERNE MAESTRO)
THE CONGO
5
DJ TUNEZ
ONE CONDITION (DJ TUNEZ, WIZKID & FOLA)
NIGERIA
6
DJ YK MULE
OBLEE REMIX (FT. SLIMCASE, QDOT & CASH COMING)
NIGERIA
7
KELVIN MOMO
BO GOGO (WITH DA MUZIQAL CHEF FT. TRACY AND THATOHATSI)
SOUTH AFRICA
8
OSCAR MBO
VUKA (WITH JAZZWORX FT. THUKUTHELA)
SOUTH AFRICA
9
UNCLE WAFFLES
ZENZELE ( FT. COWBOII, ROYAL MUSIQ, UNCOOL MC & XDUPPY)
ESWATINI
10
WOODBLOCK DJS
SKUTA BABA (FT. BUZZI LEE, KANE KEID, CASSPER NYOVEST, KWESTA, TONY DAYIMANE, MVELOST, SET OFF & SOMOLOLO)
SOUTH AFRICA
11
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
BENETH SERAPHIN AKATCHÉ KOFFI
KAAY WAAY (VJ)
SENEGAL
2
BUTTERNUT, XOLANI MAJOZI
SKUTA BABA (REMIX) (WOODBLOCK DJS FT. BUZZI LEE, KANE KEID, CASSPER NYOVEST, KWESTA, TONY DAYIMANE, MVELOST, SET OFF & SOMOLOLO]
SOUTH AFRICA
3
DINA ONE
KOUMA (MANAMBA KANTÉ)
MALI
4
ELEMENT ELEÉEH & MUGISHA FRED ROBINSON
TOMBÉ ELEMENT ELEÉEH
RWANDA
6
JAZZWORX
BENGICELA (MAHWOO, GL CEEJAY & THUKUTHELA FT. JAZZWORX))
SOUTH AFRICA
7
PROGREX
LAHO (SHALLIPOPI)
NIGERIA
8
DAVINCI
SUPER HOMEM (LIRIANY)
ANGOLA
9
TEMPOE
WITH YOU (DAVIDO FT. OMAH LAY)
NIGERIA
10
THEMBA SEKOWE, GOMOLEMO JOY GUMEDE, KABELO MOTHA
ABANTWANA BAKHO (DJ MAPHORISA, XDUPPY, KABZA DE SMALL FT. THATOHATSI, YOUNGSTUNNA, NKOSAZANA DAUGHTER)
SOUTH AFRICA
12
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
AMR DIAB
EBTADENA
EGYPT
2
BURNA BOY
NO SIGN OF WEAKNESS
NIGERIA
3
DAVIDO
5IVE
NIGERIA
4
DIDI B
DIYILEM & BAZARHOFF: GENIUS
COTE D’IVOIRE
5
DJ MAPHORISA & XDUPPY
NGOMOYA
SOUTH AFRICA
6
EL GRANDE TOTO
SALGOAT
MOROCCO
7
HIMRA
BIG AKA 4 AKA KAI
COTE D’IVOIRE
8
KELVIN MOMO
THATO YA MODIMO
SOUTH AFRICA
10
TINARIWEN
IDRACHE (TRACES OF THE PAST)
MALI
13
BEST AFRICAN VIDEO OF THE YEAR
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
BABS DIRECTION (AWUDU MUSA)
REBEL (BLACK SHERIF)
GHANA
2
BONGANI TSHABALALA AND VUYO MPANTSHA
META (NOMCEBO ZIKODE & SOFIYA NZAU FT. FIREBOY DML)
SOUTH AFRICA
3
DIRECTOR PINK
KI LO WA WA (YEMI ALADE)
NIGERIA
4
EDRINE PAUL DIRECTOR
SOMEBODY (SHEEBAH)
UGANDA
5
FOLE X
OVA (MBOSSO)
TANZANIA
6
FOLE X
OLOLUFE (JUMA JUX & DIAMOND PLATNUMZ)
TANZANIA
7
TG OMORI
SHAOLIN (SEYI VIBEZ)
NIGERIA
8
WLDRB
STK STK (DIZZY DROS, KEKRA & NORFAFRICA)
MOROCCO
14
SONG OF THE YEAR
S/NO
TRACK TITLE
ARTISTE
COUNTRY
1
ISAKA (6AM)
CIZA, JAZZWORX & THUKUTHELA
SOUTH AFRICA
2
BENGICELA
MAWHOO GL CEEJAY & THUKUTHELA (FT. JAZZWORX)
SOUTH AFRICA
3
CHOIX
MIA GUISSÉ (FT. WALLY SECK)
SENEGAL
4
DIPLOMATICO
EL GRANDE TOTO
MOROCCO
5
KAAY WAAY
VJ
SENEGAL
6
LAHO
SHALLIPOPI
NIGERIA
7
OLOLUFE MI
JUX & DIAMOND PLATNUMZ
TANZANIA
8
PUSH 2 START
TYLA
SOUTH AFRICA
9
SHAKE IT TO THE MAX
MOLIY, SHENSEEA, SKILLIBENG & SILENT ADDY
GHANA
10
WITH YOU
DAVIDO (FT. OMAH LAY)
NIGERIA
15
BEST AFRICAN DANCE/CHOREOGRAPHY
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
JAYLANN
HA WLIDI
MOROCCO
2
LADY PONCE
JE VEUX DANSER
CAMEROON
3
REBO
MOBAMBO
DRC
4
SERGE BEYNAUD
TAPER DEDANS
COTE D’IVOIRE
5
TOOFAN
DEODORANT
TOGO
6
TYLA
PUSH 2 START
SOUTH AFRICA
7
UNCLE WAFFLES & ROYAL MUSIQ
ZENZELE (FT. COWBOII, XDUPPY & UNCOOL MC)
ESWATINI
8
WEEHA
DIMAMA
ETHIOPIA
9
WERRASON
TOUT SE PAIE ICI BAS
DRC
10
WIZKID
KESE
NIGERIA
16
BEST AFRICAN ACT REGGAE, RAGGA & DANCEHALL
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
MAGASCO
DIRTY WHINE (FT. MIMIE)
CAMEROON
2
MOLIY, SHENSEEA, SKILLIBENG & SILENT ADDY
SHAKE IT TO THE MAX REMIX
GHANA
3
RUGER & KRANIUM
DUDU
NIGERIA
4
SEAN MORGAN
VUU
MALAWI
5
BLACK SHERIF
REBEL MUSIC
GHANA
6
TAKANA ZION
ON MY EYES
GUINEA
7
TIWA SAVAGE
FORGIVENESS
NIGERIA
8
WAKADINALI
KUM BABA (FT. ABBAS KUBAF, WAKUU, PEPELA & MASTERPIECE KING)
KENYA
9
YEMI ALADE
BADDIE (REMIX) (FT. KONSHENS AND FEMI ONE)
NIGERIA
10
IYANII, MWANAA (VIJANA BARUBARU) & CEDO
KIFO CHA MENDE
KENYA
17
BEST AFRICAN ARTISTE, DUO OR GROUP IN AFRICAN ROCK
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
LAEKE
ESKENEKA
ETHIOPIA
2
IZLAN
AMEZYAN
ALGERIA
3
FRANCK BIYONG
STRUGGLE 4 MONEY
CAMEROON
4
RASH
DO OR DIE
KENYA
5
MDOU MOCTAR
IMOUHAR (INJUSTICE VERSION)
NIGER
6
CHRISSY ZEBBY TEMBO & THE NGOZI FAMILY
I AM NOT MADE OF IRON
ZAMBIA
18
BEST ARTISTE, DUO OR GROUP IN AFRICAN TRADITIONAL
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
BIG ZULU
NG’SALE NOBANI (FT. ZEH MCGEBA & ZEE NXUMALO)
SOUTH AFRICA
2
CHIRINE LAJMI
ECHEH ECHEH
TUNISIA
3
LADY PONCE
JE VEUX DANSER
CAMEROON
4
LAMA SHREIF
JAYEK LAHSSEB (FT. CHEB BACHIR)
TUNISIA
5
LARRY GAAGA, FLAVOUR & QUEEN THERESA ONUORAH
OBODO (FT. PHYNO)
NIGERIA
6
SONA TATA
NAINAI BANA
GUINEA
7
STONEBWOY
JEJEREJE (WITH GINTON)
GHANA
8
TINARIWEN
AMOSS IDJRAW
MALI
9
TONTON PAL & BINGUINI BAKHAGA
COURONNE
MALI
10
VERONICA ADANE
KANTE LELA
ETHIOPIA
19
BEST AFRICAN COLLABORATION
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
BLANCHE BAILLY & LADY PONCE
LÈVE TOI
CAMEROUN
2
GOON FLAVOUR, MASTER KG & EEMOH
NGISHUTHENI
SOUTH AFRICA
3
MIA GUISSÉ FT. WALLY SECK
CHOIX
SENEGAL
4
MOLIY, SILENT ADDY, SKILLIBENG & SHENSEEA
SHAKE IT TO THE MAX (FLY) (REMIX)
GHANA
5
PAKI CHENZU FT. HIMRA
ASSAUT (ENCORE ET ENCORE)
TOGO/COTE D’IVOIRE
6
SHALLIPOPI FT. BURNA BOY
LAHO
NIGERIA
7
UNCLE WAFFLES FT. COWBOII, ROYAL MUSIQ, UNCOOL MC & XDUPPY
ZENZELE
ESWATINI
8
DAVIDO FT. OMAH LAY
WITH YOU
NIGERIA
9
MAWHOO, GL CEEJAY & THUKUTHELA FT. JAZZWORX
BENGICELA
SOUTH AFRICA
10
BENNY ADAM & KHADIJA EL WARZAZIA
MOK YA MOK
MOROCCO
20
MOST PROMISING ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
CYSOUL
KOULOS
CAMEROUN
2
JOSHUA BARAKA
WRONG PLACES
UGANDA
3
KING LUCA
FRAGILE
CAMEROUN
4
L’OISEAU RARE
NIAMATOS
GABON
5
LWAH NDLUNKULU
MNAKWETHU
SOUTH AFRICA
6
MASSAMBA AMADEUS
DAARU DUNYA
SENEGAL
7
QING MADI, VALORANT
EGO
NIGERIA
8
RYM
TAJ LI WATANI
MOROCCO
9
KUNMIE
ARIKE
NIGERIA
10
FOLA
WHO DOES THAT? (FT BELLA SHMURDA)
NIGERIA
21
ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
S/NO
ARTISTE
TRACK TITLE
COUNTRY
1
AMR DIAB
KHATFOONY (FT. JANA DIAB)
EGYPT
2
AYRA STARR
ALL THE LOVE
NIGERIA
3
BURNA BOY
UPDATE
NIGERIA
4
DAVIDO
WITH YOU (FT. OMAH LAY)
NIGERIA
5
DJ MAPHORISA
DLALA KA YONA (WITH XDUPPY & ENNY MAN DA GUITAR FT. FOCALISTIC, RICKY LENYORA, UNCOOL MC)
SOUTH AFRICA
6
EL GRANDE TOTO
DIPLOMATICO
MOROCCO
7
FALLY IPUPA
LE TEMPS
DRC
8
JUX
OLOLUFE MI (WITH DIAMOND PLATNUMZ)
TANZANIA
9
REMA
BABY (IS IT A CRIME)
NIGERIA
10
SHALLIPOPI
LAHO
NIGERIA
TYLA
PUSH 2 START
SOUTH AFRICA
22
BREAKOUT ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
S/NO
Artist
Track Title
Country
1
BLAQ MAJOR
SDAKIWE SBALI (FT. BLESS THE GENTLEMAN & DJ KAP)
SOUTH AFRICA
2
CIZA
ISAKA (6AM) WITH JAZZWORX & THUKUTHELA
SOUTH AFRICA
3
EBOLOKO
SATANANA (FT. DRE-A)
GABON
4
HIMRA
YOROBO
COTE D IVOIRE
5
MARIOO
NAIROBI
TANZANIA
6
MAWHOO
BENGICELA (WITH GL CEEJAY & THUKUTHELA FT. JAZZWORX)
SOUTH AFRICA
7
MOLIY
SHAKE IT TO THE MAX (WITH SHENSEEA, SKILLIBENG & SILENT ADDY )
GHANA
8
SHALLIPOPI
LAHO
NIGERIA
9
TRAP KING
HUSTLIN
ALGERIA
10
VJ
KAAY WAAY
SENEGAL
23
BEST AFRICAN LYRICIST RAPPER
S/NO
Artiste
Track Title
Country
1
ALA
TFADHEL
TUNISIA
2
DIDI B
PADRÉ VELI
CôTE D’IVOIRE
3
JESSY B
LA VIE EST BELLE (FT. BLACK M)
CONGO B
4
KLASSAFAN LE MELANGEUR
WON SOUKHOU
GUINEA
5
NASTY C & USIMAMANE
SOFT
SOUTH AFRICA
6
NYASHINSKI
BUSY
KENYA
7
REMINISCE
KUPE
NIGERIA
8
SARKODIE
VIOLENCE (FT. KWEDU SMOKE
GHANA
9
SWITCH
ZENZANA
LIBYA
10
YACOU B OG
KILIMANDJARO
MALI
24
BEST AFRICAN ARTISTE, DUO OR GROUP IN AFRICAN HIPHOP
S/NO
Artiste
Track Title
Country
1
ALA FT. MOOTJEYEK
MAKINA
TUNISIA
2
CASSPER NYOVEST
KUSHO BANI
SOUTH AFRICA
3
EBOLOKO
3X NDOSS (FT. YORSSYANTF)
GABON
4
EL GRANDE TOTO
DIPLOMATICO
MOROCCO
5
HIMRA
YOROBO
COTE D IVOIRE
6
PHYNO
TROUBLE MAKER
NIGERIA
7
NASTY C & USIMAMANE
SOFT
SOUTH AFRICA
8
ODUMODUBLVCK
LEGOLAS
NIGERIA
9
SARKODIE
MESSIAH (FT. KWEKU FLICK)
GHANA
10
SUSPECT 95
MONLISA (FT. HIMRA)
COTE D’IVORIE
25
BEST AFRICAN ARTISTE, DUO OR GROUP IN AFRICAN RNB & SOUL
S/NO
Artiste
Track Title
Country
1
BENSOUL & V- BE
KAUTAMU FLANI
KENYA
2
BIG ZULU FT. MALUNGELO
AZALA
SOUTH AFRICA
3
BRAYE
I WISH I HAD MORE TIME
NIGERIA
4
CALEMA
AMAR PELA METADE
SAO TOME
5
EMMA’A
ÇA M’A LAISSÉ
GABON
6
KUNMIE
ARIKE
NIGERIA
7
MANAL
CABARET
MOROCCO
8
NALEDI APHIWE & MAWELELE
ROMEO & JULIET
SOUTH AFRICA
9
REMA
BABY (IS IT A CRIME)
NIGERIA
10
WEGZ FT. TAYC
GIRLFRIEND
EGYPT
26
BEST AFRICAN ARTISTE, DUO OR GROUP IN AFRICAN EDM, HOUSE, TECHNO
S/NO
Artiste
Track Title
Country
1
ASAKE
UHH YEAH
NIGERIA
2
BLACK COFFEE, BILLIE EILISH
CHHIRO
SOUTH AFRICA
3
DJ MAPHORISA, XDUPPY & ENNY MAN DA GUITAR FT. FOCALISTIC, RICKY LENYORA, UNCOOL MC.
DLALA KA YONA
SOUTH AFRICA
4
GOON FLAVOUR, MASTER KG & EEMOH
NGISHUTHENI
SOUTH AFRICA
5
KVNG VINCI FT. ZERRYDL
HAUSAPIANO (REMIX)
NIGERIA
6
MAWHOO, GL CEEJAY & THUKUTELA FT. JAZZWORX
BENGICELA
SOUTH AFRICA
7
MBOSSO
AVIOLA
TANZANIA
8
NOMCEBO ZIKODE & SOFIYA NZAU FT. FIREBOY DML
META
SOUTH AFRICA/KENYA/NIGERIA
9
SAT-B FT. CHAMPURA MAKHENZO
KIRISESE
BURUNDI
10
YEMI ALADE
KI LO WA WA
NIGERIA
27
BEST AFRICAN ACT IN DIASPORA MALE
S/NO
Artiste
Track Title
Country
1
DJ SNAKE
NOVENTA (FT. J BALVIN)
FRANCE/ALGERIA
2
GAZO
NANANI NANANA
FRANCE/GUINEA
3
NISKA
ADRIANO
FRANCE/DRC
4
TAYC
FORÉVÀ
FRANCE/CAMEROON
5
TIAKOLA
MBIFE (WITH GENEZIO)
FRANCE/DRC
6
TIF
KAFINI (WITH EL GRANDE TOTO)
FRANCE/ALGERIA/MOROCCO
7
WERENOI
PONEY
FRANCE/CAMEROON
8
WIZTHEMC
SHOW ME LOVE (WITH BEES & HONEY)
SOUTH AFRICA/CANADA
9
L’ALGÉRINO
AU SOLEIL (WITH JOSAS)
ALGERIA/FRANCE
10
ODEAL
BLAME U
NIGERIA/UK
28
BEST AFRICAN ACT IN DIASPORA FEMALE
S/NO
Artiste
Track Title
Country
1
AYA NAKAMURA
BADDIES (WITH JOÉ DWÈT FILÉ)
MALI/FRANCE
2
ANNATORIA
HARK NOW HEAR
ZIMBABWE/ENGLAND
3.
DARKOO
FAVOURITE GIRL (FT. REMA)
NIGERIA/UK
4
DEBORAH LUKALU
GOD IS GOOD
DRC/USA
5
FAOUZIA
UNETHICAL
CANADA/MOROCCO
6
RONISIA
SWIPE
CAPE VERDE/FRANCE
7
THEODORA
KONGOLESE SOUS BBL (FT. JEEZ SUAVE)
DRC/FRANCE
8.
ZAHO
DIOR AND ZAWAJ (WITH YOUV)
ALGERIA/CANADA
29
BEST AFRICAN DUO, GROUP OR BAND
S/NO
Artiste
Track Title
Country
1
BABYLONE
TELLEMENT NDARIT
ALGERIA
2
BLAQ DIAMOND
PIKI PIKI
SOUTH AFRICA
3
CELEMA
AMAR PELA METADE
SAO TOME & PRINCIPE
4
TEAM PAIYA
MAISON B FT. TEAM MAISON B, TEAM 2 POY
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
5
THE CAVEMEN
MEDICINE
NIGERIA
6
TINARIWEN
TENHERT
MALI
7
TOOFAN
DEODORANT
TOGO
8
VESTINE & DORCAS
YEBO -NITAWALE
RWANDA
9
WAPENDWA MUZIKI
AMEFANYA MUNGU
KENYA
10
WE ARE NUBIA
DND (FT. ZAITUNI WAMBUI)
KENYA
