Encomium
…Yemi Alade, Charlotte Dipanda, Davido, Diamond Platnumz, Brymo, Alikiba, Dr.Jose Chameleone, Psquare, Sauti Sol and Joy Gitau top nomination list
…As music lovers show readiness and excitement to begin voting on August 21
It was a phenomenal moment for all music lovers across Africa as the International Committee of All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, in partnership with African Union Commission, AUC, announced the nominees for the 2015 edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) at an international media conference which took place on Friday, August 14,, 2015 at Victoria Crown Plaza Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
Nominees are contending for the coveted AFRIMA 23.9 karat gold-plated trophy in 33 categories divided into the regional and continental categories and including the AFRIMA Legend Award and music/entertainment journalist of the year award. Well-known sensational African music names on the AFRIMA nominees list include: Amr Dab (Egypt) 1 nomination, Olamide (Nigeria) 2 nominations, Davido (Nigeria) 4 nominations, Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) 4 nominations, Psquare (Nigeria) 3 nominations, Charlotte Dipanda (Cameroon) 5 nominations, Sauti Sol (Kenya) 3 nominations, Sakordie (Ghana) 3 nominations, Yemi Alade (Nigeria) 5 nominations and Casper Nyovest (South Africa) 2 nominations. The budding music acts to earn nominations include: Kiss Daniel (Nigeria) 2 nominations; Wiyaala (Ghana) 3 nominations; Patoranking (Nigeria) 1 nomination; Joy Gitau (Kenya) 2 nomination, Ruby Gyang (Nigeria) 2 nominations and THT (Madagascar) 1 nomination, among others.
Ace music video director, Clarence Peters (Nigeria) made it into the the Africa video of the Year category for the video of the song ‘Golibe’ by Flavour and ‘Shekini’ by Psquare alongside other great music video directors like: Enos Olik (Kenya) for ‘Sura Yako’ by Sauti Sol and Stanley Ajjetey (Ghana) for ‘Africa’ by Wiyaala, John Njaga Demps & Unlimited L.A (Senegal & Nigeria) for “Time is now” by J. Martins, featuring Youssou N’dour and Gyo Gyimah (Ghana) for “The One” by Edem featuring Sway.
Jury members and AFRIMA International Committee were present to unveil the nominees after a rigorous six day screening exercise which started on Sunday, August 9 and ended on Friday, August 14. Also present at the conference were media practitioners, artistes’ managers, label owners, artistes and other stakeholders who were all excited and expectant as the nominees were being announced.
Giving insight into the criteria by which the nominees list was reached, AFRIMA juror and BBC Radio 3 presenter, Rita Ray explained that the jury panel adhered strictly to the entry submission requirements while being guided by AFRIMA’s core values of FACE IT –Fairness, Authenticity, Creativity, Excellence, Integrity and Transparency. she also went further to explain the voting process which is scheduled to begin on the Friday, August 21, 2015 and also said the AFRIMA voting online platform will open for an 11 week voting process, while encouraging the public, fans and followers of African music to visit the AFRIMA website, www.afrima.org, to view the nominees in the 29 (open for public voting) categories of the award and vote for their favourite artiste (s).
Revealing programmes of AFRIMA 2015 event, the President/Executive Producer of AFRIMA, Mike Dada said: “Recipients of the AFRIMA Legendary Award and the Africa Entertainment/Music Journalist Award will be decided by the International Committee of AFRIMA and revealed at the main awards ceremony on Sunday, November 15 while songwriter and producer of the year will be wholly decided by the academy.
He added that: “The five star awards ceremony will be preceded by the AFRIMA Music Village between November 13 and 14, a two-day festival style outdoor concert of non-stop music, funfair and exhibition from countries in Africa and performances by African artistes. There will also be an African Music Summit on November 13, themed “Reviving the Business of Music in Africa”. The one-day conference will be a platform for the music industry stakeholders to engage and deliberate on how the industry can be nurtured and be a major contributor to national and continental economies.”
“AFRIMA in partnership with the African Union Commission is aimed at celebrating the rich musical heritage of the African continent. We want to use AFRIMA as a pedestal to explore the power of music as a tool of integration and prosperity in Africa despite the challenges it faces” Mr Dada concluded.
AFRIMA will be held in Nigeria to be broadcast to 84 countries on 109 television stations across the world with the support of its media partners.
AFRIMA 2015 FINAL NOMINEES LIST
CONTINENTAL CATEGORIES
Best Female Artist in Inspirational.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Becky Joe How Great Nigeria
Betty Akna Africa United Equatorial Guinea
Lab’l Ma ve wa Ngan Cameroon
MoniQue Na You Dey Reign Nigeria
Ogecha Dumimaja Nigeria
Best Male Artist in Inspirational.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Darey Pray for Me Nigeria
Difference Hosanna Nigeria
Juliani One Day Kenya
Prince Eyango Merci Seigneur Cameroon
Timi Dakolo Wish Me Well Nigeria
Vumomse Rakata Cameroon
Best Artist in African RnB & Soul.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Ben Pol Sophia Tanzania
Danny Kalima Dusty City Malawi
Efya Forgetting Me Ghana
Joy Gitau Are You Gonna Love Me? Kenya
Liron Lonliness Kenya
Praiz If I Fall Nigeria
Ruby Gyang Good Man Nigeria
The Soil Susan South Africa
Best Artist in African Contemporary.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Brymo 1 Pound Nigeria
Charlotte Dipanda Elle n’a pas Vu Cameroon
Diamond Platnumz Nasema Nawe Tanzania
Linah Ole Themba Tanzania
Makadem Nipe Denda Moja Kenya
Mani Bella Face a Face Cameroon
Best Artist in African Hip-Hop.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Cassper Nyovest Ghetto South Africa
Edem The One (Remix) Ghana
Jovi Big Vulture Cameroon
Juliani One Day Kenya
M.anifest Forget Dem Ghana
Stanley Enow King Kong Cameroon
NG Bling Parle a ma Main Gabon
Kiff No Beat Ca Gate Coeur Ivory Coast
Best Artist in African Electro.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Blade Deep Perfectly South Africa
Boddhi Satva Mama Kosa Democratic Republic of Congo
Busiswa Lahla South Africa
Flavour Power to Win Nigeria
Gazza Shuna Namibia & South Africa
Best Artist in African Pop.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
DJ Arafat Gbobolor Côte d’Ivoire
Don Bigg Ghadi Bellour Morocco
Meezo L Fadly M’Wooppy Morocco
Toofan Orobo Togo
Vanessa Mdee Hawajui Tanzania
Wande coal Baby Hello Nigeria
YCee Condo Nigeria
Best Artist in African Rock.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Bebe Cool Love You Everyday Uganda
Dark Suburb I Dey Feel You Die Ghana
Lulu & The Zakaleo Band Thembassa Kenya
M’vula Volume 10 Angola
Prime Circle Doors South Africa
Wiyaala Angel Ghana
Best Artist in African Reggae, Ragga & Dancehall
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Cindy Dat Dat Uganda
Erick Kristal Ile Ife Africa Benin
Nneka My Love, My Love Nigeria
Timaya Sanko Nigeria
Patoranking Daniella Whine Nigeria
Stonebwoy Pull Up (Remix) Ghana
Teddy Afro Korkuma Africa Ethiopia
Best Artist in African Jazz.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Abdullah Ibrahim The Song is my Story South Africa
Abel Mulugeta Leb Barbamet Ethiopia
Kunle Ayo Joromi Nigeria
Joel Sebunjo Nakato Uganda
Gabacho Maroconnection Moussaoui Morocco
Gangbe Brass Band Yoruba Benin
Best Artist in African Traditional.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Aziz Sahmaoui Mazal Morocco
Gangbe Brass Band Yoruba Benin
Irene Namatovu Okuzaala Kujagaana Uganda
Saava Karim Akalulu Uganda
Sekou Kouyate Dela Guinea
Simo Lagnawi Bolami Morocco
Best African Collaboration.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Davido, featuring Uhuru & DJ Buckz The Sound Nigeria & South Africa
AKA, featuring Burna Boy, Da Les & Jr All Eyes on Me South Africa & Nigeria
Dibi Dobo, featuring Angelique Kidjo Ekomole Benin
J. Martins, featuring Youssou N’dour Time is Now Nigeria & Senegal
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, featuring Salif Keita United We Stand South Africa & Mali
Waje, Victoria Kimani, Vanessa Mdee, Arielle T, Gabriela, Yemi Alade, Selmor Mtukudzi, Judith Sephuma, Blessing Nwafor and Omotola Jalade Ekeinde Strong Girl Kenya, Tanzania, Gabon, Mozambique, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa
Sauti Sol, featuring Amos & Josh Nerea Kenya
Toofan, featuring DJ Arafat Apero Togo & Ivory Coast
VVIP, featuring Idris Elba & Phyno Selfie (Remix) Ghana, Nigeria & Sierra Leone
Yemi Alade, featuring Dil Temperature Nigeria
Best African Group.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Dark Suburb Jump Off a Cliff Ghana
Featurist Babaah Cameroon
P-Square Shekini Nigeria
Sauti Sol Sura Yako Kenya
The Soil Susan South Africa
VVIP Skolom Ghana
Most Promising Artist in Africa.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Aramide Iwo Nikan Nigeria
Ben Pol Sophia Tanzania
H_Art the Band Uliza Kiatu Kenya
Joy Gitau Are You Gonna Love Me? Kenya
Kiss Daniel Woju Nigeria
Liron Loneliness Kenya
Lulu & The Zakaleo Band Thembassa Kenya
Video of the Year in Africa.
VIDEO VIDEO DIRECTOR (ARTIST) COUNTRY
Africa Stanley Ajjetey (Wiyaala) Ghana
Time is Now John Njaga Demps & Unlimited L.A (J. Martins, featuring Youssou N’dour) Nigeria & Senegal
Sura Yako Enos Olik (Sauti Sol) Kenya
Golibe Clarence Peters (Flavour) Nigeria
The One Edem Ft. Sway (Gyo Gyimah) Ghana
Shekini Clarence Peters (P-Square) Nigeria
Revelation of the Year in Africa.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Adekunle Gold Sade Nigeria
Amantle Moratiwa Botswana
Daphne Gunshot Cameroon
H_Art the Band Uliza Kiatu Kenya
Kiss Daniel Woju Nigeria
THT Week end Madagascar
Album of the Year in Africa
ALBUM ARTIST COUNTRY
Ayo (Joy) Wizkid Nigeria
Double Trouble P-Square Nigeria
Elle n’a pas vu Charlotte Dipanda Cameroon
Face a Face Mani Bella Cameroon
King of Queens Yemi Alade Nigeria
Silt Alsarah & The Nubatones Sudan
Tabula Rasa Brymo Nigeria
Thankful Flavour Nigeria
The Lioness Wiyaala Ghana
Song of the Year in Africa
TRACK ARTIST COUNTRY
Adonai (Remix) Sarkodie, featuring Castro Ghana
Elle n’a pas vu Charlotte Dipanda Cameroon
Fans Mi Davido, featuring Meek Mill Nigeria
Kissing Yemi Alade Nigeria
Mwana Alikiba Tanzania
Nasema Nawe Diamond Platnumz, featuring Khadija Kopa Tanzania
Ojuelegba Wizkid Nigeria
Shekini P-Square Nigeria
Sura Yako Sauti Sol Kenya
Wale Wale Dr. Jose Chameleone Uganda
Artist of the Year in Africa
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Alikiba Mwana Tanzania
Charlotte Dipanda Elle n’a pas vu Cameroon
Davido Fans Mi Nigeria
Diamond Platnumz Nasema Nawe Tanzania
Flavour Golibe Nigeria
Dr. Jose Chameleone Wale Wale Uganda
Olamide Shakiti Bobo Nigeria
Sarkodie Adonai (Remix) Ghana
Wizkid Ojuelegba Nigeria
Yemi Alade Kissing Nigeria
REGIONAL CATEGORIES
Best Male Artist in Central Africa.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Awilo Longomba Bundelele Democratic Republic of Congo
Herleo Muntu Muabilayi Democratic Republic of Congo
Junior Eyango Belle Mere Cameroon
Locko Margo Cameroon
Numerica Kossa Moi Ça Cameroon
Stanley Enow King Kong Cameroon
Best Female Artist in Central Africa.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Betty Akna Africa United Equatorial Guinea
Charlotte Dipanda Elle n’a pas Vu Cameroon
Laurette La Perle Twist Democratic Republic of Congo
Mani Bella Face a Face Cameroon
Missy BK Ndolo Cameroon
Best Male Artist in Eastern Africa.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Alikiba Mwana Tanzania
Diamond Platnumz Nasema Nawe Tanzania
Dr. Jose Chameleone Wale Wale Uganda
Jaguar One Centimetre Kenya
Kidum Ihorere Burundi
Teddy Afro Korkuma Africa Ethiopia
Best Female Artist in Eastern Africa.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Alsarah Habibi Taal Sudan
Helen Berhe Gumema Bet Ethiopia
Lilian Mbabazi Simple Girl Uganda
Linah Ole Themba Tanzania
Suzanna Owiyo Wamiel Kenya
Tsedenia Yet Biye Ethiopia
Best Male Artist in Northern Africa.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Ahmed Soultan This is Who I Am Morocco
Amr Diab Gamalo Egypt
Aziz Sahmaoui Mazal Morocco
Don Bigg Ghadi Bellour Morocco
Monsif Jilali Bki Ya L’ayne Morocco
Simo Lagnawi Bolami Morocco
Best Female Artist in Northern Africa.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Cheba Sabrine Oublie Moi Algeria
Jannat Agbany Shakhsito Morocco
Manal #Denia Morocco
Samira Said Mazloom Morocco
Souad Massi El Boulbouli Algeria
Best Female Artist in Southern Africa.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Anna Joyce Ja Nao Combina Angola
Bucie Shela South Africa
Busiswa Lahla South Africa
Celma Ribas Fato Angola
Cindy Munyavi Kutsvaga Mari Zimbabwe
Kelly Khumalo Asine South Africa
Best Male Artist in Southern Africa.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Beatenberg Beauty Like a Tightened Bow South Africa
Cassper Nyovest Ghetto South Africa
DJ Malvado Toca Ninguém se Mexe Angola
Djeff Afrozila Ser Kazukuta Angola
Jeremy Loops Down South South Africa
KO Son of a Gun South Africa
Best Male Artist in Western Africa.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Brymo 1 Pound Nigeria
Davido Fans Mi Nigeria
Flavour Golibe Nigeria
Olamide Shakiti Bobo Nigeria
Sarkodie Adonai (Remix) Ghana
Wizkid Ojuelegba Nigeria
Best Female Artist in Western Africa.
ARTIST TRACK COUNTRY
Efya Forgetting Me Ghana
Niyola Last Bus Stop Nigeria
Ruby Gyang Good Man Nigeria
Seyi Shay Jangilova Nigeria
Wiyaala Africa Ghana
Yemi Alade Kissing Nigeria
