AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Nigeria’s Davido won the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) trophy for artist of the year, leading a strong showing for West Africa’s Afrobeats stars.
Musicians from across the continent traveled to the Accra International Conference Centre in Ghana’s capital in November 2018 to walk the red carpet and celebrate a year of big hits.
Betty G from Ethiopia took home album of the year, and best African DJ went to Afrotronix, who has roots in Chad.
Nigerian rapper Falz won the award for best rapper after courting controversy this year when he released This is Nigeria, which skewered modern Nigeria. It was based on the Childish Gambino hit, This is America.
Akwaaba, an infectious collaboration between GuiltyBeatz, Mr. Eazi, Patapaa and Pappy Kojo, won song of the year and best African collaboration. Nigeria’s 2Baba won for best African pop, Ghana’s Stonebwoy for best reggae, and South Africa’s Sibusiso Mashiloane for best jazz.
Kuami Eugene, a Ghanaian crooner, was named ”most promising” artist in Africa.
AFRIMA has carved out a space as a platform to showcase the innovative and prolific African music industry that has exploded in the past decade. After a 15-year career in banking and marketing, Nigerian Mike Dada established the awards as Africa’s version of the Grammys. The 2018 edition was the fourth ceremony.