Culled from a total of 9,067 entries submitted- the highest number ever recorded by the awards, since its inception – the AFRIMA jury selected a total of 382 nominations across 39 categories, to represent all five regions in Africa, as well as in the diaspora. Recall that the jury, composed of a 12-member panel of music experts, as well as the AUC, held a 10-day adjudication, in July, to sieve out the best of entries from the fray to make up the list.
Below is the full list of nominees:
Best Male Artist in Central Africa
- C4 Pedro
- Dadju
- Fally Ipupa
- Innoss’B
- Gaz Mawete
- Matias Damasio
- Ninho
- Roga Roga & Extra Musica
- Tayc
- Tenor ft. Innoss’B
Best Female Artist in Central Africa
- Asaba
- Blanche Bailly ft. Joeboy
- Emma’a
- Espoir La Tigresse
- Pérola
- Shay
- Vernyuy Tina
- Zara Williams ft. C4 Pedro
Best Male Artist in Eastern Africa
- Addis Legesse
- Bien (& Aaron Rimbui)
- Diamond Platnumz ft. Zuchu
- Eddy Kenzo
- Kassmasse
- King Saha
- Marioo ft. Jovial
- Mbosso ft. Costa Titch & Phantom Steeze
- Nyashinski ft. Femi One
- Rayvanny ft. Vjollca
Best Female Artist in Eastern Africa
- Betty G
- Tanasha Donna
- Frida Amani
- Hewan Gebrewold
- C4 Pedro
- Dadju
- Fally Ipupa
- Innoss’B
- Gaz Mawete
- Matias Damasio
- Ninho
- Roga Roga & Extra Musica
- Tayc
- Tenor ft. Innoss’B
Best Female Artist in Central Africa
- Asaba
- Blanche Bailly ft. Joeboy
- Emma’a
- Espoir La Tigresse
- Pérola
- Shay
- Vernyuy Tina
- Zara Williams ft. C4 Pedro
Best Male Artist in Eastern Africa
- Addis Legesse
- Bien (& Aaron Rimbui)
- Diamond Platnumz ft. Zuchu
- Eddy Kenzo
- Kassmasse
- King Saha
- Marioo ft. Jovial
- Mbosso ft. Costa Titch & Phantom Steeze
- Nyashinski ft. Femi One
- Rayvanny ft. Vjollca
Best Female Artist in Eastern Africa
- Betty G
- Tanasha Donna
- Frida Amani
- Hewan Gebrewold
- Muthaka
- Nandy
- Nikita Kering
- Rosa Ree
- Spice Diana ft. DJ Seven
- Zuchu ft. Bontle Smith & Tyler
Best Male Artist in Northern Africa
- Ali Loka
- Ahmed Saad ft. 3enba & Double Zuksh
- A.L.A
- DJ Snake
- Draganov
- El Grande Toto
- Marwan Moussa
- Snor
- Soolking
- Wegz
Best Female Artist in Northern Africa
- Faouzia
- Jaylann
- Kenza Morsli ft. DJ Adel
- Lyna Mahyem
- Manal
- Marwa Loud & Moha K
- Ruby
- Rym
Best Male Artist in Southern Africa
- A-Reece
- Blxckie feat A-Reece
- DJ Tarico
- Gemini Major
- Focalistic
African Fans Favourite
- ‘Dibango Dibanga’ – Bello Falcao
- ‘Tempela’ – Ch’cco, Mellow, Sleazy Nkao
- ‘Ameno Amapiano’ – Goya Menor & Nektunez
- ‘Sip (Alcohol)’ – Joeboy
- ‘Monalisa (Remix)’ – Lojay X Sarz ft. Chris Brown
- ‘Overloading (Overdose)’ – Mavins; Ayra Starr, Boy Spyce, Crayon, Ladipoe, Magixx
- ‘Ku Lo Sa’ – Oxlade
- Nack’ – The Therapist
- ‘Dada’ – Young Jonn
- ‘Adiwele’ – Young Stunna ft. Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa
Album of the Year
- 9: Esan – Brymo
- Love, Damini – Burna Boy
- Cullilan – Dadju
- First of All – Diamond Platnumz
- History – Dadi B
- KOA II – Kabza De Small
- Amagama – Nomfundo Moh
- Timbuktu – Oumou Sangare
- Sans Visa – Soolking
- Rave & Roses – Rema
Artist of the Year
- Burna Boy
- CKay
- Dadju
- Diamond Platnumz
- Fireboy DML
- Kabza De Small
- Manal
- Tiwa Savage
- Wegz
- Zakes Batwini
Best African Collaboration
- ‘Al Moulouk’ – Ahmed Saad ft. 3enba & Double Zuksh
- ‘Onde Anda’ – Onde Anda
- ‘Big Flexa’ – Costa Titch ft. C’buda M, Alfa Kat, Banaba Des, Sdida & Man T
- ‘Champion Sound’ – Davido ft. Focalistic
- ‘Peru Remix’ – Fireboy ft. Ed Sheeran
- ‘Tigini (Remix)’ – Kikimoteleba ft. Franglish
- ‘Buga’ – Kizz Daniel ft. Tekno
- ‘Mi Amour’ – Marioo ft. Jovial
- ‘Moyo’ – Mbosso, Costa Titch, Phantom Steeze
- ‘Somebody’s Son’ – Tiwa Savage ft. Brandy
Best African Act in Diaspora (Female)
- Aya Nakamura
- Bey T
- Darkoo
- Faouzia
- Moha K, Marwa Loud
- Nata
- Rimon
- Ronisia
- Shay
- Soraia Ramos
Best African Act in Diaspora (Male)
- Calema
- Dadju
- Dafencii
- DJ Snake
- Gil Semedo
- Jae5
- Ninho
- Soolking
- Tion Wayne
- Ya Levia
Best African Band, Duo or Group
- Calema & Zé Felipe
- Disco Misr, Aziz Maraka
- Jano Band
- Mafikizolo
- Major League DJz
- Ridimz
- The Cavemen
- Toofan
- Umoja Sounds
- Wanavakali
Best African DJ
- DJ Lito
- DJ P2N
- DJ Snake
- DJ Tarica
- DJ Yessonia
- Major League DJz
- DJ Zinhle
- DJ Spinall
- Uncle Waffles
- Zakes Batwini
Best African Rapper/Lyricist
- A-Reece
- Dafencii
- Didi B
- Dip Doundou Guiss
- Marwan Moussa
- Ladipoe
- LAMB (Loose Kaynon, A-Q, MI, Blaqbonez)
- Nata
- Nay Wa Mitego
- Youssoupha
Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Dance or Choreography
- Ans-T Crazy
- Costa Titch
- Eltee Skhillz
- Kamo Mphela
- Portable X Poco Lee
- Roga Roga & Extra Musica
- Serge Beynaud
- Simi
- Spice Diana
- Toofan
Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Electro
- Asake
- Costa Titch
- Davido
- DJ Maphorisa
- DJ Snake
- DJ Yessonia
- Felo Le Tee
- Mbosso
- Tresor
- Zakes Bantwini
Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Hip Hop
- Black Sherif
- Blxckie
- Cdrik Kodjo
- Darkoo
- Didi B
- KikiMoteleba ft. Franglish
- Marwan Moussa
- Nay Wa Mitego
- Ninho
Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Pop
- Adekunle Gold, Davido
- CKay
- Kizz Daniel & Tekno
- Kouz1
- Matias Damasio
- Pheelz, BNXN
- Ronisia
- Roseline Layo
- Soraia Ramos
- Tenor ft. Innoss’B
Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Reggae, Ragga, Dancehall
- DJ Lito, Bebe Cool, Sheilah Gashumba, SlickStuartRoja
- Fave
- Femi One, King Kaka & Mbithi
- KiDi
- Navy Kenzo
- Nutty O
- Rosa Ree
- Ruger
- Teddy Afro
- Winky D
Best Artist, Duo or Group in African RnB & Soul
- Ahmed Basyoni & Hussein Gamal
- Bridget Blue
- C4 Pedro
- Frida Amani x Mayunga
- Lil Jay
- Tayc
- Tiwa Savage, Amaarae
- Nomfundo Moh, ShaSha & Ami Faku
- Omah Lay
- Ya Levis
Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Rock
- Amir Eid
- Clay
- Daniel Baron
- Franck Biyong
- RASH
- Reën & Refentse Morake
Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Traditional
- Azaya, Djelykaba Bintou
- Betty G
- Josey ft. Bonigo
- Lencho Gemechu
- Manamba Kante
- Flavour
- Oumr Sangare
- Rokia Kone & Jacknife Lee
- Royalty
- Stewart Sukuma
Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Contemporary
- Adekunle Gold ft. Fatoumata Dawara
- Alikiba
- Brymo
- Fadilee Itulya, Fidq & Goemi
- Fally Ipuppa
- Fior 2 Bior
- Roga Roga & Extra Musica
- Sidiki Diabate
- Wallly B. Seck, Viviane
Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Jazz
- Addis Legesse
- Elida Almeida, Jimmy P
- Franck Biyong
- Guta Abera
- Jano Band
- Jimmy Dludlu, Rhodalia Silvestre, Dx Nuvunga, Mano Tsotsi
- Kelvin Momo, TBO, JaySax
- Somi
- Thapelo Lekoane
- The Cavemen, Made Kuti
Best Soundtrack Movies, Series or Documentary
- ‘AlMoulouk’ (Moon Knight) – Ahmed Saad ft. 3enba & Double Zuksh
- ‘A Body, A Coffin’ (Black Panther Wanda Forever Prologue EP) – Amaarae & Marvel
- ‘Ima’ – Dadju
- ‘ODG’ (The Blood Covenant Movie) – Eltee Skhillz
- ‘EL Ghazala Raye2a’ ( Zeko) – Mohamed Osama & Karim Mahmoud (Ahmed Tarik Yahia)
- ‘Speed Life (Sonic 2 Film)
- ‘No Woman, No Cry’ (Black Panther Wanda Forever Prologue EP) – Tems & Marvel
- ‘B3oda Ya Belady’ (Captains of Zaatari) – Wegz
Best African Music Video
- ‘Moustahil’ – Amine Boumediene
- ‘Big Flexa’ – Casta Titch
- ‘Woman’ – Simi
- ‘Nwoke Oma’ – Chike
- ‘Disco Maghreb’ – DJ Snake
- ‘Sewasew’ – Maranta Da Silva
- ‘ Suavamente’ – Soolking
- ‘Buga’ – Kizz Daniel ft. Tekno
Breakout Artist of the Year
- Asake
- Camidoh
- Costa Titch
- Daliwonga
- El Grande Toto
- Fior 2 Bior
- Hewan Gebrewold
- Marwan Moussa
- Nomfundo Moh
- Pheelz
Most Promising Artist
- Ans-T Crazy
- Dafencii
- Fave
- Frida Amani
- Jeeba
- Khanyisa
- Kikimoteleba
- Lloyiso
- Magixx
- Zara Williams
Producer of the Year
- C4 Pedro
- CKay & BMH
- Kimambo Beats
- Nyadjiko & Dadju
- Rahal
- Reward Beatz
- Sdida & Man T
- Serge Beynaud
- Stan-E Kibulu & William Grigahcine
Song of the Year
- ‘Kwaku The Traveller’ – Black Sherif
- ‘Last Last’ – Burna Boy
- ‘Big Flexa’ – Costa Titch ft. C’buda M, Alfa Kat, Banaba Des, Sdida & Man T
- ‘Ambassadeur’ – Dadju
- Tala’ – Didi B
- ‘Disco Maghreb’ – DJ Snake
- ‘Peru’ (Remix) – Fireboy DML ft. Ed Sheeran
- ‘Buga’ – Kizz Daniel ft. Tekno
- ‘Mi Amor’ – Marioo ft. Jovial
- ‘Calm Down’ – Rema
- ‘Suavemente’ – Soolking
- ‘El Bakht’ – Wegz
Songwriter of the Year
- Bridget Blue and Jibril Blessing
- Daniel Baron
- Lloyiso Mandlovandile Gigana, Luke Goliath
- Martin Obudho, Muthaka
- Matias Damasio
- Mordecai ‘Dex’ Mwini
- Olawale Olofo’ro
- Rokia Kone, Garret Lee
- Iba One
- Sidy Diop
Best Global Act
- Anitta
- Brandy
- Chris Brown
- Drake
- Ed Sheeran
- Justin Bieber
- Maluma
- Popcaan
- Tyga
- Vitaa
Best Female Artist in Africa Inspirational Music
- Bridget Blue
- Chaama & Eljoee
- Diana Hamilton
- DJ Zinle
- Irene Robert
- Janet Otieno
- Makhadzi
- Manal
- TY Bello
Best Male Artist in Africa Inspirational Music
- Davido
- Grace Lokwa
- Kassmasse
- KS Bloom, Chike
- Nathaniel Bassey
- Noel Nderitu
- Samthing Soweto
- Wave Rhyder