Nigeria’s Davido took home the All Africa Music Awards trophy for artist of the year, leading a strong showing for the West African powerhouse famous for its roster of Afrobeats stars.
Musicians from across the continent came to the Accra International Conference Centre in Ghana’s capital on Saturday to walk the red carpet and celebrate a year of big hits.
Betty G from Ethiopia took home album of the year, while best African DJ went to Afrotronix, who has roots in Chad.
Nigerian rapper Falz took home the award for best African rapper after courting controversy this year when he released “This is Nigeria”, a cover of the Childish Gambino hit that skewered modern Nigeria.
“Akwaaba”, an infectious collaboration between GuiltyBeatz, Mr. Eazi, Patapaa and Pappy Kojo won song of the year and best African collaboration.
Nigeria’s 2Baba won the award for best African pop, Ghana’s Stonebwoy for best reggae, and South Africa’s Sibusiso Mashiloane for best jazz.
Kuami Eugene, a Ghanaian crooner, was named the “most promising” artist in Africa.
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AFRIMA has carved out a space as a platform to showcase the innovative and prolific African music industry that has exploded in the past decade.
All the winners:
REGIONAL CATEGORY
Best Female Artiste in Central Africa
-Daphne / Cameroon / Jusqu’à La Gare
Best Male Artiste in Central Africa
-Fally Ipupa / DRC / Mannequin Ft Keback & Naz
Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa
-Betty G / Ethiopia / Mengedegna
Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa
Bebe Cool / Uganda / Freedom
Best Female Artiste in Northern Africa
-Lyna Mahyem ft Medi Meyz /Algeria / Bye Bye
Best Male Artiste in Northern Africa
-Hamza El Fadly / Morocco / Ya Mraya
Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa
-Shekhinah / South Africa / Please Mr
Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa
-Nasty C / South Africa / Jungle
Best Female Artiste in Western Africa
-Tiwa Savage / Nigeria / Ma Lo Ft. Wizkid & Spellz
Best Male Artiste in Western Africa
-Davido / Nigeria / Fia
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5TH AFRIMA WINNERS CONTINENTAL CATEGORY
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
-Betty G / Ethiopia / Wegegta
ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
-Davido / Nigeria / FIA
BEST AFRICAN VIDEO
-Sesan / Gringo (Shatta Wale) / Nigeria
BEST AFRICAN ACT IN DIASPORA
-Hazel Mak / Malawi / Jaiva Ft. Roberto & Tay Grin
BEST AFRICAN COLLABORATION
-GuiltyBeatz, Mr. Eazi, Patapaa & Pappy Kojo / Ghana-Nigeria / Akwaaba
-Kidi / Ghana / Odo Remix Ft. Mayorkun & Davido
BEST AFRICAN DJ
-Afrotronix / Chad / OyO
-Master KG / South Africa / Skeleton Move Ft. Zanda Zakuza
BEST AFRICAN DUO, GROUP OR BAND
– Toofan / Togo / Money
-M.ANIFEST FT KING PROMISE / Ghana / ME NE WOA
BEST AFRICAN RAPPER OR LYRICIST
-Falz / Nigeria / La Fête
– Maryam Saleh, Maurice Louca, Tamer Abu Ghazaleh / Egypt / Ekaa Maksour
-Irene Namatovu / Uganda / Nsambila Nyuma Nga Janzi
BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN AFRICAN INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC
-Sandra Nankoma / Uganda / Kaddugala
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BEST MALE ARTISTE IN AFRICAN INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC
-Sarkodie / Ghana / Glory Ft. Yung
MOST PROMISING ARTISTE IN AFRICA
-Kuami Eugene / Ghana / Confusion
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
-Fresh VDM / Togo / Fia
REVELATION OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENT
-Betty G / Ethiopia / Ere Manew
SONG OF THE YEAR
-GuiltyBeatz, Mr. Eazi, Patapaa & Pappy Kojo / Akwaaba / Ghana
SONG WRITER OF THE YEAR
-Shekhinah Donell, Amon Taulo Chibiya II / South Africa / Different Ft. Mariechan
AFRICAN FANS’ FAVOURITE
-Nedy Music / Tanzania / One and Only Ft. Ruby
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