Following a grueling three-week process of screening and resolution, 13-man jury of the prestigious All Africa Music Awards,AFRIMA, representing the five regions of Africa, the Diaspora and the African Union Commission, Tuesday, announced nominees for regional categories ahead of its November 9-12, awards ceremony.
Africa’s prominent pop stars, Davido and Wizkid are to clash for the Best Male category in West Africa. The duo also has the likes of Runtown, Drake, Tekno, Ycee, Mr. Eazi, Guinean MHD and DJ Arafat from Ivory Cost to beat in order to clinch the 23.9karat Gold plate AFRIMA trophy.
South African rappers, AKA and Nasty C are up for the same category in the Southern Africa region, just as Kenyan hip hop star, Octopizzo will battle with Tanzanian Diamond Platnumz and Ethiopian Sinishaw Legesse among others for the Best Male Artiste in the East African region.
While the likes of Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade and Babes Wodumo, Aramide,Viviane Chidid, Seyi Shay, Becca and Zeynab have also been nominated for Best Female Act in their respective regions.
Mr. Chris Cyren, the juror from Southern Africa said 4,816 entries from African music professionals and music artistes were received at the close of a two-month entry submission window on July 17, this year. He described the nominations process as rigorous and thorough, as he emphasized on the Jury’s resolve to be fair and transparent in line with the AFRIMA values of FACEIT (fairness, authenticity, creativity, excellence, integrity, transparency).
Charles Tabu, AFRIMA’s juror from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), harped on the need for music lovers in Africa to explore different genre of music from all regions on the continent.