The African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMAs) announced the 2023 winners at a ceremony held in Texas, US, on September 17.
KAMPALA, UGANDA | NOW THEN DIGITAL — The African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMAs) unveiled the winners of their 2023 edition at a ceremony held in Texas, US, on 17 September.
Marking its 10th year, the awards platform honors and celebrates outstanding musical achievements and artists from across Africa.
This year’s notable victors include Congolese singer Fally Ipupa, who secured the Best Francophone award and a Lifetime Achievement Award. Nigerian singer Timaya also received a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Rema clinched the Artist of the Year accolade, while Afrobeats sensation Davido’s “Timeless” was crowned Album of the Year.
Late South African rapper AKA earned posthumous acclaim at the Afrimma Awards, winning the prestigious Best Male Southern Africa award. Born Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, his enduring influence on the global music industry stands as a testament to his lasting legacy.
The rapper’s nomination placed him in competition with other renowned artists such as Sjava, Maphorisa, Musa Keys, and Costa Titch.
In addition, Ghanaian musician King Promise triumphed by being named “Best Male West Africa” at the 2023 African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA).
In a competitive field featuring West Africa’s top musical talents, King Promise, known for his chart-topping track “Terminator,” emerged as the victor.
King Promise outshone formidable contenders, including Adekunle Gold, Black Sherif, Buju, Asake, Omah Lau, Didibo, Tonton, and Satrinos Raphael, to claim this prestigious award.
Here is the comprehensive list of winners at the African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA):
Artist of the Year
- Asake – Nigeria
- Fally Ipupa – DR Congo
- Diamond Platnumz – Tanzania
- Burna Boy– Nigeria
- Rema – Nigeria (Winner)
- SoolKing – Algeria
- Aya Nakamura – Mali
- Davido – Nigeria
Best Male West Africa
- Adekunle Gold – Nigeria
- Black Sherif – Ghana
- Bnxn – Nigeria
- Santrinos Raphael – Togo
- Asake – Nigeria
- Didi B – Côte d’Ivoire
- King Promise – Ghana (Winner)
- Tonton Pal – Mali
- Omah Lay – Nigeria
Best Female West Africa
- Ammarae – Ghana
- Tems – Nigeria
- Josey – Côte d’Ivoire
- Manamba Kante – Guinea
- Ayra Starr – Nigeria (Winner)
- Gyakie – Ghana
- Tiwa Savage – Nigeria
- Fatoumata Diawara – Mali
Best Male East Africa
- Lij Michael – Ethiopia
- Nyashinski – Kenya
- Eddy Kenzo – Uganda
- Diamond Platnumz – Tanzania (Winner)
- Mbosso – Tanzania
- Bien – Kenya
- Harmonize – Tanzania
- Meddy – Rwanda
- Single Dee – South Sudan
Best Female East Africa
- Maua Sama – Tanzania
- Nadia Mukami – Kenya (Winner)
- Zuchu – Tanzania
- Azawi– Uganda
- Nikita Kering – Kenya
- Spice Diana – Uganda
- Fena Gitu – Kenya
- Nandy – Tanzania
- Hewan Gebrewold – Ethiopia
Best Male Central Africa
- T-Rex – Angola
- Fabregas – DR Congo (Winner)
- TayC – Cameroon
- Fally Ipupa – DR Congo
- Calema – São Tomé
- Mic Monsta – Cameroon
- Gerilson Israel – Angola
- Djodje – Cape Verde
Best Male Southern Africa
- Costa Titch – South Africa
- DJ Tarico – Mozambique
- Macky2 – Zambia
- Musa Keys – South Africa
- DJ Maphorisa – South Africa
- Winky D – Zimbabwe
- AKA – South Africa (Winner)
- Han C – Botswana
- Sjava – South Africa
Best Female Southern Africa
- Ami Faku – South Africa
- Tamy Moyo – Zimbabwe
- Mpho Sebina – Botswana
- DJ Zinhle – South Africa
- Sha Sha – Zimbabwe
- Nadia Nakai – South Africa (Winner)
- Towela – Zambia
- Makhadzi – South Africa
- Tyla – South Africa
Best Newcomer
- Hewan Gebrewold – Ethiopia
- Guchi – Nigeria
- Jyzno – Liberia
- Young Jonn – Nigeria
- Lavalava – Tanzania
- Odumodu Blvck – Nigeria (Winner)
- Lisandro Cuxi – Cape Verde
- Lasmid – Ghana
- Shalipopi – Nigeria
Best Gospel
- Mercy Chinwo – Nigeria
- Piesie Esther – Ghana
- Christina Shusho – Tanzania
- Miguel Buila – Angola
- Bidemi Olaoba – Nigeria
- KS Bloom – Côte d’Ivoire
- Mike Kalambay – DRC (Winner)
- Joel Lwaga – Tanzania
- Pulani Maphari – South Africa
- Sumisola Agbebi Okeleye – Nigeria
Best Live Act
- Sauti Sol – Kenya
- Burna Boy – Nigeria
- Diamond Platnumz – Tanzania
- Flavour – Nigeria (Winner)
- Barnaba – Tanzania
- Fally Ipupa – DR Congo
- Calema – Sao Tomé
- C4 Pedro – Angola
Best Male Rap Act
- Odumodu Black – Nigeria
- Yung Lunya – Tanzania
- Ninho – DR Congo
- Black Sherif – Ghana
- A-Reece – South Africa
- Blaqbonez – Nigeria (Winner)
- Blxckie – South Africa
- Marwan Moussa – Egypt
Best Collaboration
- Mbosso ft. Costa Titch & Alfa Kat – ‘Shetani’
- Spyro x Tiwa Savage – ‘Who’s Your Guy?’ (Winner)
- Davido x Musa Keys – ‘Unavailable Musa Keys’
- Rema ft. Selena Gomez – ‘Calm Down Remix’
- Wegz x AshMusic – ‘Amira’
- Fally Ipupa ft. Charlotte Dipanda – ‘Garde du Coeur’
- Joshua Baraka ft. Joeboy, King Promise & Bien – ‘Nana Remix’
- Boutross ft. Juiceer Mann – ‘Angela’
Best DJ Africa
- DJ Spinall – Nigeria
- DJ Dollar – Sénégal
- Waffles – South Africa
- Ms DSF – Nigeria (Winner)
- DJ Danni Gato – Cape Verde
- DJ Faculty – Ghana
- DJ Nelasta– Angola
- Major League DJz – South Africa
- DJ Consequence – Nigeria
Best African DJ USA
- DJ Nani – Nigeria
- DJ Akua – Ghana
- DJ Prince – Nigeria
- DJ Shinski – Kenya
- DJ Birame BB l’amour – Côte d’Ivoire
- DJ Yas Meen Selectress – Egypt
- Lex and Answer – Zimbabwe
- DJ Freshy K– Nigeria (Winner)
Music Producer of the Year
- C4 Pedro – Angola
- Andre Vibez – Nigeria
- 207 – Uganda
- Ayo Lizzer – Tanzania
- Magicstickz – Nigeria
- MOGBeatz – Ghana
- Kabza De Small – South Africa
- Maajabu Gospel (Winner)
- London – Nigeria
Best Francophone
- Fally Ipupa – DR Congo (Winner)
- Serge Beynaud – Côte d’Ivoire
- Josey – Côte d’Ivoire
- Wally B. Seck – Sénégal
- TayC – Cameroon
- Innos B – DR Congo
- Tenor – Cameroon
- Dadju – DR Congo
Best African Group
- Disco Misr – Egypt
- Sauti Sol – Kenya
- Calema – São Tomé
- The Cavemen – Nigeria
- Show Dem Camp – Nigeria
- Toofan – Togo (Winner)
- Jano Band – Ethiopia
- Mafikizolo – South Africa
AFRIMMA Album of the Year
- Davido – Timeless (Winner)
- AKA – Mass Country
- Ammarae – Fountain Baby
- Fatoumata Diawara – London Ko
- Stonebwoy – 5th Dimension
- Asake – Work of Art
- Nomfundo Moh – Ugcobo
- Omah Lay – Boy Alone Deluxe
Lifetime Achievement Award
Fally Ipupa (DR Congo) and Timaya (Nigeria)
AFRIMMA Legendary Award
Kcee – Nigeria
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