Popular singer, Ayodeji Balogun, aka Wizkid, has been nominated for the Artiste of the Year in Africa category in the forthcoming Africa Music Awards. With his hit song, ‘Essence’ featuring Tems, the afrobeats star got five other nominations which include ‘Best Male Artiste in Western Africa,’ ‘Album of the Year, Song of the Year in Africa’, ‘Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African R n B Soul’ and ‘Best African Collaboration’.
Self-acclaimed African Giant, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, got three nominations— ‘Best Male Artiste in West Africa, ‘Album of the Year, and Artiste of the Year. Fem’ singer, David Adeleke, aka Davido, bagged nominations for ‘Song of the Year’, ‘Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Electro, ‘Best Artiste’, ‘Duo or Group in African Pop’.
Meanwhile, the nominees list features over 400 songs by artistes from 10 regional and 28 continental categories, which cut across African creatives living on the continent and in the diaspora.
Fast-rising Nigerian singer, Omah Lay, also bagged four nominations— ‘Artiste of the Year in Africa’, ‘Best Artiste in Western Africa’, ‘Best Artiste’, ‘Duo or Group in African Pop’ and ‘Breakout Artiste of the Year’.
Other nominees are Blaq Diamond (South Africa), Bella Shmurda (Nigeria), Nikita Kering (Kenya), Nata (Sierra Leone), Abir (Morocco), Olakira (Nigeria), Calema (Sao Tome & Principe), Casper Nyovest (South Africa), DJ Moh Green (Algeria), Djelykaba Bintou (Guinea), Ferre Gola (DRC Congo), Gyakie (Ghana), Kamo Mphela (South Africa), Kelly Khumalo (South Africa), Loco (Cameroon), Nasty C (South Africa), Rebo (DR Congo), Tems (Nigeria), Tiwa Savage (Nigeria), Adekunle Gold (Nigeria), Cavemen (Nigeria) and Vector (Nigeria).
In a statement made available to Saturday Beats, the Head of Culture, African Union Commission on the Jury, Angela Martins noted that the nominees were selected through a ‘rigorous’ selection process. She also added that the Legend Award Category will be announced at the ceremony, while the ‘Best Soundtrack in a Movie/Series/Documentary film’ category was suspended due to low-quality entries for this year’s edition.
A member of the 13-man AFRIMA International Jury, Hadja Kobele, noted that a total of 8,880 songs were received for this year’s edition of the awards.
The awards ceremony will be held in Lagos, Nigeria, from November 19 to 21, 2021.
