Nigeria Takes Centre Stage at AFRIMA as Rema, Burna Boy, Yemi Alade Win

Rema

Vanessa Obioha

The 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), held on Sunday night at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, saw Nigerian stars dominate the major categories.

Rema, the ‘Calm Down’ hitmaker, emerged the biggest winner of the night, clinching three awards: Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, Best African Artiste, and Duo or Group in African R&B/Soul. He beat fellow Nigerian heavyweights Wizkid, Asake, Davido and Burna Boy to win Best Male Artiste in Western Africa.

Burna Boy, however, took home Best Album of the Year for his latest project, :No Sign of Weakness.’ Shallipopi won Song of the Year for his viral hit ‘Laho,’ which also earned Best African Collaboration for its remix featuring Burna Boy. Veteran rapper Phyno was named Best African Artiste in Hip-Hop.

Although Nigerian female artistes did not dominate the top categories, they made notable appearances. Yemi Alade won Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary for her song ‘You Are’ from the animated series ‘Iyanu,’ while Qing Madi was named Most Promising Artiste of the Year.Rising talents were also recognised, with Nigerian singer Chella winning African Fans’ Favourite and South Africa’s Ciza picking up Breakout Artiste of the Year.

Across the continent, Tanzania’s Juma Jux and Diamond Platnumz won Best African Video of the Year for their collaboration ‘Ololufe Mi,’ with Jux also taking Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa.

In keeping with tradition, the awards, organised in partnership with the African Union (AU), were hosted in Lagos, following previous editions held in Senegal and Ghana.

See full list of winners below:

Best Male Artist in Central Africa

Best Female Artiste in Central Africa

Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa

Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa

Best Male Artiste in Northern Africa

Best Female Artiste in Northern Africa

Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa

Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa

Best Male Artiste in Western Africa

Best Female Artiste in Western Africa

Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music

Best Female Artiste in African Inspirational Music

Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Jazz

Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Pop

Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Contemporary

Best Soundtrack in Movie, Series, or Documentary

Songwriter of the Year

Best Global Act

African Fans’ Favourite

Best African DJ

Producer of the Year

Album of the Year

Best African Video of the Year

Song of the Year

Best African Dance/Choreography

Best African Act Reggae, Ragga & Dancehall

Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Rock

Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Traditional

Best African Collaboration

Most Promising Artiste of the Year

Artiste of the Year

Breakout Artiste of the Year

Best African Lyricist Rapper

Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Hiphop

Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African RnB & Soul

Best African Duo, Group or Band