By Taiye Olayemi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Nigeria continues to enjoy victory and international attention as young creatives continue to spring up in the entertainment industry which has accounted for the country’s ability to sustain victory in various entertainment-related award platforms.
This was the story from the just concluded 8th All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), tagged: ‘The Teranga Edition’, held Jan.15 at the 15,000 capacity Dakar Arena, in Dakar, Senegal.
The voting period for the awards began on Sept. 25, 2022 and ended Jan. 13.
The voting procedure and results were reviewed and collated by an international auditor of great repute, Pricewaterhousecoopers (PwC) – auditors of the Oscars.
The award night had superstars across the African continent clinch trophies and Nigerian artistes were seen to be the most successful on the african soil.
Burna Boy, known as Nigeria’s surprise success story, bagged the album of the year award as well as the artiste of the year 2022 award.
With his fusion of dancehall, raggae, afrobeat and pop, Burna Boy has emerged as one of Nigeria’s fastest-rising stars.
Also, for the African fans favourite category, Oxlade emerged winner and for the best African video, T.G Omori, also from Nigeria, clinched the award.
Nigerian Afrobeats singer and songwriter, Ahmed Ololade, popularly known as “Asake” won the African breakout artiste of the year.
The artiste who coined his stage name trying to pay homage to his mother whose first name is Asake, has been able to put Nigeria on the entertainment global stage with his inspirational music which will remain evergreen due to the morals embedded in his music.
The icon of Nigerian pop music and culture, David Adeleke, popularly known as “Davido”, won big during the award night as he won the best African collaborations and best artiste duo or group in African Electro, along with a South African rapper, Focalistic.
Davido also emerged winner for the best male artiste in African inspirational music as he featured the Sunday Service Choir in the music, “Stand Strong”.
He emerged winner alongside Adekunle Gold as best artistes duo or group in African pop.
Adekunle Gold also won the best artiste duo or group in African contemporary.
Omah Lay clinched the award of the best artiste duo or group in African RnB and Soul while Nigerian alternative/Pop Rock artiste, Clayrocksu, won the award as the best artiste duo or group in African Rock.
Also, the biggest and most influencial African artiste of all time, Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as “Wizkid”, bagged the award for the best male artiste in West Africa.
Similarly, Nigerian platinum record producer, disk Jockey and Songwriter, Oluwaseyi Akerele, popularly known as “Shizzi”, won the award for the producer of the year 2022.
Nigerian highlife band, “The Cavemen”, got the award as best African band duo or group featuring Made Kuti in one of their tracks.
Nigeria’s Tems and Marvel won the award for the best soundtrack in movies, series and documentaries.
As Nigerian musicians continue to blaze the trail in projecting the nation positively, it is important that they are encouraged through certain incentives.
This can be in form of subsidising the rate for government owned properties which they intend to use for their concerts, it can be either subsidised or given free of charge.
Taking a look at the other countries that won during AFRIMA, Côte d’Ivoire’s Didi B won for song of the year award in his music “Tala”, while Iba One from Mali won the songwriter of the year 2022.
Marwan Moussa from Egypt bagged the award for the best African rapper or lyricist, as well as the best artiste duo o group in African Hip-Hop.
Faouzia from Morocco won the best African famale act in diaspora.
For the best female artiste in African inspirational music, Irene Roberts from Tanzania won, while Ethiopia’s Teddy Afoo got the award for the best artiste duo or group in African Raggae, Ragga and dancehall music.
Gutu Abera from Ethiopia emerged winner of the best artiste duo or group in African Jazz and Azaya from Guinea won the award for the best duo or group in African traditional music.
Ans-T Crazy, also from Guinea got the award for the best artiste duo or group in African dance or choreography while Anitta from Brazil bagged the award for the best global act.
AFRIMA also looked into winners from the four African regions , this had Kassmasse from Ethiopia emerge winner as the best male artiste in Eastern Africa while Muthaka won the female category.
For the central Africa region, Fally Ipupa from the Democratic Republic of Congo won the award for the best male artiste and Vernyuy Tina from Cameroon got the female category.
A.L.A. from Tunisia bagged the award for the best male artiste in Northern Africa while Faouzia from Morocco won the female category
From Southern Africa, Winky D from Zimbabwe got the award for the best male artiste and Makhadzi won the female category.
While Nigerian Wizkid bagged the best male artiste in Western Africa, Josey from Côte d’Ivoire won the female category.
In the non-voting category, the International Executive Committee bestowed the “Legend Award” for the 8th AFRIMA to three iconic Senegalese veterans including Youssou N’dour, Baaba Maal, and Ismail Lo.
In all sense of fun, Dakar remains a city to visit in the West African region.
It is a sane city with the observation of the Senegalese residents living peacefully and hospitable with visitors.
The city is endowed with numerous beaches as it sits on the Atlantic ocean. (NANFeatures)
