Nigeria’s Davido topped the awards list at the eighth All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) ceremony, which celebrates the continent’s best musical talent.
At the event, held at the Dakar Arena in Diamniadio, Senegal, on Sunday (January 15), Davido took home Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music, Best Artist in African Pop, Best Duo Group In African Electro, Best African Collaboration, and Best Male Act in Diaspora.
Other artists from Nigeria who scooped top awards include Grammy award-winning artist Burna Boy who received the Best Album of the Year for ‘Love Damini,’ and Best Act in Africa award for his song ‘Last Last’.
Meanwhile, Wizkid won the Best West African act award, while Asake won the Breakout Artist of the Year.
Ivorian singer Didi B won the Best Song of the Year award for his rap song ‘Tala’, while Gutu Abera from Ethiopia won Best African Jazz Group.
The Best Female Artist in Southern Africa award went to Makhadzi, and Zimbabwe’s dancehall maestro Winky D clinched the Best Male Artist in Southern Africa.
Uganda’s Ronald Ssekitooleko, alias Dj Lito made history by becoming the first East African deejay to win AFRIMA’s Best African DJ award.
Cameroonian singer and songwriter Vernyuy Tina was named Best Female Artist in Central Africa, while Fally Ipupa once again flew the flag of the Democratic Republic of Congo, clinching the award for Best Male Artist in Central Africa.
Senegalese musician Ismael Lo received the Legend of the Year award, while Egyptian rapper Marwan Moussa received Best African Rapper and Best Artist in African Hip-Hop awards.
From Morocco, Singer Faouzia also won two categories: Best Female Artist in North Africa and Best African Art in Diaspora- female.
More than 9,000 entries were submitted for this year’s contest, the highest since its inception in 2014.
The show’s performances included a star-studded lineup featuring Tiwa Savage, P Square, Ghanaian rapper Black Sherif, Mali’s Rokia Kone and Senegalese singers Youssou N’dour and Baaba Maal.
Senegal made history this year by becoming the first French-speaking African country to host the awards.
