Tosin Ajirire

Ghana stood still and the stars shone brightly down on this year’s edition of All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) held at International Conference Centre, Accra on Saturday November 24.

Music stars and showbiz celebrities from across the continent had jam-packed the venue of the award platform that seeks to celebrate and reward African talents that have done exceedingly well in the year.

The show kicked off on a colourful note by flag waiving dancers and soon went into overdrive with the performances by Mr Real, Tuface Idibia, Ghanaian King Promise, Congolese Fally Ipupa, and Ethiopian Betty G amongst others.

The revelation of the night was 10-year-old deejay and dancer, DJ Switch, who dazzled on the wheel of steel.

However, the major highlight of the event was iconic South African musician, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, who performed ‘Amazing Man’, a song dedicated to Nelson Mandela.

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Winners emerged from 36 categories spanning all the regions of Africa. In addition, special recognition and legendary awards were awarded to artistes and personalities who have impacted the music world positively.

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The winners include Nigerian Afropop act, Davido, who smiled home with Artiste of The Year award; Hazel Mak
(Malawi) Best African Act in Diaspora; GuiltyBeatz, Mr. Eazi, Patapaa and Pappy Kojo (Ghana-Nigeria) Best African Collaboration; Afrotronix (Chad) Best African DJ; Toofan (Togo) Best African Duo, Group or Band; Falz (Nigeria) Best African Rapper/Lyricist; Tuface (Nigeria) Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Pop; Stonebwoy (Ghana) Best
Artiste, Duo or Group in African Ragga, Reggae & Dancehall; Praiz (Nigeria) Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African R&B & Soul; and Sandra Nankoma (Uganda) Best Female Artiste in African Inspirational Music.

Others are Sarkodie (Ghana) Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music; Kuami Eugene (Ghana) Most Promising Artiste in Africa; Fresh VDM (Togo) Producer of the Year; Guilty Beatz, Mr. Eazi, Patapaa & Pappy Kojo (Ghana) Song of the Year; Nedy Music (Tanzania) African Fans’ Favourite; Mr P (Nigeria) Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Dance or Choreography; Betty G (Ethiopia) Album of the Year; Tiwa Savage (Nigeria) Best Female Artiste Western Africa; Nasty C (South Africa) Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa; Hamza El Fadly (Morocco) Best Male Artiste in Northern Africa; Daphne (Cameroon) Best Female Artiste in Central Africa; Fally Ipupa (DRC) Best Male Artiste in Central Africa; and Shekhinah (South Africa) Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa.

For a career spanning over 30 years and with several hit albums to her credit, the acclaimed ‘Princess of Africa’, Yvonne Chaka Chaka went home with the AFRIMA Legend award. Also, for his contributions to the growth and development of the arts and tourism sector of Lagos State, and most importantly for hosting AFRIMA in the last four years.

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Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode was honoured with a special recognition award. In what turned out to be an emotional moment for the guests, the surviving member and leader of world-renowned Ghanaian Afropop band, Osibisa, octogenarian Teddy Osei, was assisted onto the stage in a wheelchair having
been suffering from a stroke, to receive a special recognition award.

Among Nigerian celebrities who graced the award ceremony were Tuface Idibia, Kunle Afolayan, Mr. P of PSqau- are, Steve Ayorinde, Sound Sultan, Kenny Ogungbe, Falz, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Fathia Balogun, Praiz, Femi Branch, Dayo Amusa, Yomi Fash-Lanso, and Teniola.