ELIZABETH MUSYIMI ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST

16 September 2022

• Only entries within the validity period of August 20, 2021 to August 5, 2022, were considered for n omination for this year’s awards.

• Public voting commences globally September 25th.

Kenyan superstar, Bridget Blue is honoured for the first time to receive three nominations from the Afrimas.

The singer has been nominated under best RnB and Soul, best female artiste in African inspirational music and songwriter of the year.

Culled from a total of 9,067 entries submitted- the highest number ever recorded by the awards, since its inception - the AFRIMA jury selected a total of 382 nominations across 39 categories, to represent all five regions in Africa, as well as in the diaspora.

Only entries within the validity period of August 20, 2021 to August 5, 2022, were considered for nomination for this year’s awards.

Dominating the list with the most nominations, this year, is the South African maverick and Congolese maestro, Dadju both with six nominations.

Bien Aime Baraza, Diamond Platnumz, Eddy Kenzo, Mbosso, Marioo will be battling for the best male in Easter Africa award.

Nikita Kering, Nandy, Tanasha Donna, Zuchu, Spice Diana are nominated under the best female in Eastern Africa catergory

Here's the full list of nominees;

Best Male Artist in Eastern Africa

Addis Legesse - Ethiopia

Bien -Kenya

Diamond Platnumz - Tanzania

Eddy Kenzo - Uganda

Kassmasse - Ethiopia

King Saha - Uganda

Marioo - Tanzania

Mbosso - Tanzania

Nyashinski - Kenya

Rayvanny – Tanzania

Best Female artist in East Africa

Betty G - Ethiopia

Tanasha Donna - Kenya

Frida Amani - Tanzania

Hewan Gebrewold - Ethiopia

Muthaka - Kenya

Nandy - Tanzania

Nikita Kering - Kenya

Rosa Ree - Tanzania

Spice Diana – Uganda

Zuchu - Tanzania.

Album of the Year

Brymo - Nigeria

Burna Boy - Nigeria

Dadju - DRC

Diamond Platnumz - Tanzania

Didi B - Cote d'Ivoire

Kabza De Small - South Africa

Nomfundo Moh - South Africa

Oumou Sangare - Mali

Soolking - Algeria

Rema – Nigeria

Artiste of the Year

Burna Boy - Nigeria

CKay - Nigeria

Dadju - DRC

Diamond Platnumz - Tanzania

Fireboy DML - Nigeria

Kabza De Small - South Africa

Manal - Morroco

Tiwa Savage - Nigeria

Wegz - Egypt

Zakes Batwini - South Africa

Best Africa Act in Diaspora (Male)

Aya Nakamura - Mali

Bey T - Kenya

Darkoo - Nigeria

Faouzia - Morocco

Moha K - Morocco

Nata - Sierra Leone

Rimon - Eritrea

Ronisia - Cape Verde

Shay - DRC

Soraia Ramos - Cape Verde

Best African Band, Duo, Group

Calema - Sao Tome & Principe

Disco Misr - Egypt

Jano Band - Ethiopia

Mafikizolo - South Africa

MAJOR LEAGUE DJz - South Africa

Ridimz - South Africa

The Cavemen - Nigeria

Toofan - Togo

Umoja Sounds - Happy Kenya

Wanavokali - Kenya

Songwriter of the year

Bridget Blue - Kenya

Daniel Baron - South Africa

Lloyiso Mandlovandile Gigana - South Africa

Martin Obudho, Muthaka - Kenya

Matias Damasio - Angola

Mordecai 'Dex' Mwini - Kenya

Olawale Olofo'ro - Nigeria

Rokia Kone – Mali

Iba One - Mali

Sidy Diop – Senegal

Best Female Artiste in Inspirational Music

Bridget Blue - Kenya

Chaama - Morocco

Diana Hamilton - Ghana

DJ Zinhle - South Africa

Irene Robert - Tanzania

Janet Otieno - Kenya

Makhadzi - South Africa

Manal - Morocco

TY Bello – Nigeria

Best Male Artiste Africa in Inspirational Music

Davido - Nigeria

Grace Lokwa - DRC

Kassmasse - Ethiopia

KS Bloom - Cote d'Ivoire

Majoos - DRC

Masterkraft - Nigeria

Nathaniel Bassey - Nigeria

Noel Nderitu - Kenya

Samthing Soweto - South Africa

Wave Rhyder - Lesotho

Best African DJ

DJ Lito - Uganda

DJ P2N - DRC

DJ Snake - Algeria

DJ Tarico - Nigeria

DJ Yessonia - Namibia

DJ Zinhle - South Africa

MAJOR LEAGUE DJz - Ghana

Spinall Pallazo - Nigeria

Uncle Waffles - South Africa

Zakes Batwini - South Africa

Best Male Artiste in Central Africa

C4 Pedro - Angola

Dadju - DRC

Fally Ipupa - DRC

Innoss'B - DRC

Gaz Mawete - DRC

Matias Damasio - Angola

Ninho - DRC

Roga Roga - DRC

Tayc - Cameroon

Tenor – Cameroon

Best Female Artiste in Central Africa

Asaba - Cameroon

Blanche Bailly - Cameroon

Emma'a - Gabon

Espoir La Tigresse - Gabon

Pérola - Angola

Shay - DRC

Vernyuy Tina - Cameroon

Zara Williams - DRC

Best Male Artiste in Northern Africa

Ali Loka - Egypt

Ahmed Saad - Egypt

A.L.A - Tunisia

DJ Snake - Algeria

Dragano - Morocco

El Grande Toto - Morocco

Marwan Moussa - Egypt

Snor - Morocco

Soolking - Algeria

Wegz – Egypt

Best Female Artiste in Northern Africa

Faouzia - Morocco

Jaylann - Morocco

Kenza Morsli - Algeria

Lyna Mahyem - Algeria

Manal - Morocco

Marwa Loud & Moha K - Morocco

Ruby - Egypt

Rym – Morocco

Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa

A-Reece - South Africa

Blxckie - South Africa

DJ Tarico - Mozambique

Gemini Major - Malawi

Focalistic - South Africa

Kabza De Small - South Africa

Musketeers - Namibia

Master KG - South Africa

Winky D - Zimbabwe

Zakes Bantwini - South Africa

Best Female Artiste in Western Africa

Black Sherif - Ghana

Burna Boy - Nigeria

Didi B - Cote d'Ivoire

Fireboy DML - Nigeria

Kizz Daniel - Nigeria

Rema - Nigeria

Serge Beynaud - Cote d'Ivoire

Sidiki Diabate - Mali

Wally B. Seck - Senegal

Wizkid - Nigeria

Best Female Artiste in Western Africa

Asa - Nigeria

Viviane CHIDI - Senegal

Gyakie -Ghana

Josey - Cote d'Ivoire

Manamba Kante - Guinea

Oumou Sangare - Mali

Simi - Nigeria

Soraia Ramos - Cape Verde

Tems - Nigeria

Tiwa Savage – Nigeria

African Fans favourite

Bello Falcao - Cote d'Ivoire

Ch'cco, Mellow, Sleazy - South Africa

Goya Menor & Nektunez - Ghana & Nigeria

Joeboy - Nigeria

Lojay X - Nigeria

Mavins - Nigeria

Oxlade - Nigeria

The Therapist - Serria Leone

Young John - Nigeria

Young Stunna - South Africa

Best Africa Collaboration

Ahmed Saad - Egypt

Calema x Zé Felipe - Sao Tome and Principe/Brazil

Costa Titch feat. C'buda M, Alfa Kat, Banaba Des, Sdida & Man T - South Africa

Davido feat. Focalistic - Nigeria / South Africa

Fireboy feat. Ed Sheeran Peru (Remix) - Nigeria/Great Britain

Kikimoteleba feat. Franglish Tigini (Remix) - Cote d'Ivoire/DRC

Kizz Daniel feat. Tekno Buga - Nigeria

Marioo feat. Jovial Mi Amour - Tanzania

Mbosso, Costa Titch, Phantom Steeze Moyo - Tanzania/South Africa

Tiwa Savage feat. Brandy Somebody's Son - Nigeria/USA

Best African Act Diaspora Male

Calema - Sao Tome & Principe

Dadju - DRC

Dafencii - Sudan

DJ Snake – Algeria

Gil Semedo - Cape Verde

Jae5 - Ghana

Ninho - DRC

Soolking - Algeria

Tion Wayne - Nigeria

Ya Levis – DRC

Best African Rapper (Lyricist)

A-Reece - South Africa

Dafencii - Sudan

Didi B - Cote d'Ivoire

Dip Doundou Guiss - Senegal

Marwan Moussa - Egypt

Ladipoe feat. Rema -Nigeria

LAMB (Loose Kaynon, A-Q, MI, Blaqbonez) - Nigeria

Nata - Sierra Leone

Nay Wa Mitego - Tanzania

Youssoupha - Cote d'Ivoire

Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Dance or Choreography

Ans-T Crazy - Guinea

Costa Titch - South Africa

Eltee Skhillz - Nigeria

Kamo Mphela - South Africa

Portable X Poco - Nigeria

Roga Roga - DRC

Serge Beynaud - Cote d'Ivoire

Simi - Nigeria

Spice Diana - Uganda

Toofan – Togo

Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Electro

Asake - Nigeria

Costa Titch - South Africa

Davido - Nigeria

DJ Maphorisa - South Africa

DJ Snake - Algeria

DJ Yessonia - Namibia

Felo Le Tee & Myztro - South Africa

Mbosso - Tanzania

Tresor - DRC

Zakes Bantwini - South Africa

Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Pop

Adekunle Gold - Nigeria

Ckay - Nigeria

Kizz Daniel - Nigeria

Kouz1 - Morocco

Matias Damasio - Angola

Pheelz -Nigeria

Ronisia - Cape Verde

Roseline Layo - Cote d'Ivoire

Soraia Ramos - Cape Verde

Tenor – Cameroon

Best Global Act

Anitta (Brazil) - Mon Soleil by Dadju

Brandy (USA) - Somebody's Son by Tiwa Savage

Chris Brown (USA) - Call Me Everyday ft. Wizkid, Monalisa (Remix) by Lojay x Sarz, Nobody Has to Know ft. Davido, Diana by Fireboy DML, Time & Affection by Rema

Drake (Canada) - Fountains ft. Tems, Tresor

Ed Sheeran (Great Britain) - Peru (Remix) by Fireboy DML, For My Hand by Burna Boy

Justin Bieber (Canada) - Essence (Remix) by Wizkid, Attention by Omah Lay

Maluma (Colombia) - Mama Tetema ft. Rayvanny

Popcaan (Jamaica) - Toni-Ann Singh by Burna Boy

Tyga (USA) - Touch It (Remix) by KiDi

Vitaa (France) Prends Ma Main by Maitre Gims & Vitaa

Producer of the year

C4 Pedro - Angola

CKay - Nigeria

Kimambo beats - Tanzania

Nyadjiko & Dadju - DRC