September 23, (THEWILL) – The 2021 nominations of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) have been released by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the International Committee.
The list was selected from over 8,880 songs submitted for adjudication and features over 400 songs from artistes in the 30 continental and 10 regional categories.
South Africa’s duo, Blaq Diamond tops the chart with eight nominations for their song, ‘SummerYoMuthi’.
Following them is fellow South African singer, Focalistic, who has seven nominations with hit single, ‘Ke Star’ [Remix], featuring Davido and Vigro Deep.
Focalistic is in for Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa; Artiste of the Year in Africa; Song of the Year in Africa; Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Dance or Choreography; Best African Collaboration; Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Electro; Breakout Artiste of the Year.
THEWILL writes that the categories for the awards include Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa, Artiste of the Year in Africa; Song of the Year in Africa; Producer of the Year in Africa; Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music; Breakout Artiste of the Year; Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Pop; Best African Duo, Group or Band.
Also, Wizkid, with his hit song ‘Essence’ featuring Tems, has six nominations including Artiste of the Year in Africa; Best Male Artist in Western Africa; Album of the Year; Best African Collaboration; Song of the Year in Africa; Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African R n B Soul.
Popular Tanzania singer, Diamond Platnumz has five nominations.
Fast rising Nigerian singer, Omah Lay has four nominations – Artiste of the Year in Africa; Best Artiste in Western Africa; Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Pop; Breakout Artiste of the Year.
Davido (Nigeria); Fally Ipupa (DRC Congo); MHD (Guinea); Patoranking (Nigeria); and Rayvanny (Tanzania) were also nominated in four categories.
Ghana’s Gyakie, Bella Shmurda (Nigeria); Nikita Kering (Kenya); Nata (Sierra Leone); Abir (Morocco); Olakira (Nigeria); Burna boy (Nigeria); Calema (Sao Tome & Principe); Cassper Nyovest (South Africa); DJ Moh Green (Algeria); Djelykaba Bintou (Guinea) also have three nominations.
Ditto Ferre Gola (DRC Congo); Gyakie (Ghana); Kamo Mphela (South Africa); Kelly Khumalo (South Africa); Loco (Cameroon); Lojay & Sarz; Makhadzi (South Africa); Nasty C (South Africa); Rebo (DR Congo); Tems (Nigeria); Tiwa Savage (Nigeria); and Vector (Nigeria) are also on the nomination list.
Shan’L (Gabon); Tayc (Cameroon); The Isomers (Nigeria); T’neeya (Cameroon); Cavemen (Nigeria); Afrie (Uganda); Solking (Algeria); Ko-C (Cameroon); Salatiel & Rutshelle Guillaume (Cameroon); Djodje (Cape Verde); Adekunle Gold (Nigeria); Bensoul (Kenya); Blxckie (South Africa); Franck Biyong (Cameroon); and Innoss’B (DR Congo) received two nominations.
Others on the nomination list are Kidi (Ghana); Ladipoe (Nigeria); Major League DJZ (South Africa); Manal (Morocco); Mapara A Jazz (South Africa); Mi Casa (South Africa); Nandy (Tanzania); Nelson Freitas (Cape Verde); Nomcebo Zikode (South Africa); Sauti Sol (Kenya); Stonebwoy (Ghana); Toofan (Togo); Yaw Tog (Ghana); Yemi Alade (Nigeria) and Zuchu (Tanzania).
Hadja Kobele, a member of the 13-man AFRIMA jury, stated that the committee gave Africans and the world the very best nominations and songs in the year under review.
Angela Martins, Head of Culture, AUC, announced that the Legend award category will be announced at the awards, while Best Soundtrack in a movie/series/documentary film category was suspended because of the low quality of entries for this year’s edition.
THEWILL writes that AFRIMA will be televised from Lagos between November 19-21, 2021.
