The seventh AFRIMA (All Africa Music Awards) winner’s list has been dominated by Nigerian artists including Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid.
At the opulent ceremony held in Dakar, Senegal, the song Tala by Ivorian performer Didi B was named song of the year.
This year, well-known performers included the Nigerian Duo P-Square and Ghanaian rapper Black Sherif. Breakout Artist of the Year was awarded to Nigerian artist Asake.
During his acceptance speech Asake, whose real name is Ahmed Ololade, said winning was a dream come true: “It started as a dream, but today, it’s a reality. Thanks to God, my label and to all my fans listening to my songs.”
With blockbuster songs like Sungba, Peace Be Unto You, and Omo Ope, among others, Asake’s music dominated the Afrobeats music landscape in 2022.
His music is renowned for its memorable lyrics in Pidgin English and Yoruba, as well as for its recognizable beat and his catchy tagline, Ololade mi Asake, which appears at the beginning of many of his songs.
However, the artist faced tragedy in December 2022 when two people died at his concert in London after a crush at the venue.
Burna Boy, who won Artist of the Year and Album of the Year, Davido, who won Best Male Artist in Inspirational African Music, and Wizkid, who won Best West African Act, didn’t appear to be in attendance at AFRIMA to claim their honors.
There had been some controversy in the run-up to AFRIMA, after people signed a petition for Nigerian singer Brymo to not win Songwriter of the Year, after he made a series of insulting tweets about Nigeria’s Igbo ethnic group.
More than 40,000 people signed the petition against the singer, whose real name is Olawale Ashimi. In the end Iba One from Mali won, and Brymo has since apologised, saying he did not mean to offend.
Senegal made history this year by becoming the first French-speaking African country to host the awards, which have a partnership with the African Union.