Nigerian music stars Rema, Yemi Alade, and Davido were among the winners at the 2023 Trace Awards held in Kigali, Rwanda.
Rema received two awards, including Song of the Year for his global hit “Calm Down” and Best Global African Artist.
Davido won Best Male and Best Collaboration for his song “Unavailable” with Musa Keys.
Other winners included Burna Boy for Album of the Year, Yemi Alade for Video of the Year, Kel P for Best Producer of the Year.
The awards ceremony featured more than 150 nominees, showcasing the diversity and excellence of Afro-centric music across various genres.
Hosted by Nigerian music veteran D’banj and Angolan global supermodel Maria Borges, the event featured performances by top artists like Davido, Yemi Alade, Black Sherif, and Kizz Daniel.
More than 150 artistes were nominated in the awards ceremony, which showcased the excellence and diversity of Afro-centric music in genres such as Afrobeat, Dancehall, Hip Hop, Afro-pop, Mbalax, Amapiano, Zouk, Kizomba, Genge, Coupé Décalé, Bongo Flava, Soukous, Gospel, Rap, Rai, Kompa, R&B, and Rumba.
The Trace Awards included performances by approximately 50 African and Afro-inspired artists from around the world, including Davido, Yemi Alade, Mr Eazi and Diamond Platnumz.
In addition to the competitive categories listed below, awards were presented in three categories in which no nominees were announced. They were: a lifetime achievement award to 2Face, a Change Maker award to Mr Eazi (Nigeria).
The Trace Awards are a new awards franchise created by Trace, a global TV and multimedia platform.
The purpose of the awards is to recognize African and Afro-influenced musicians from Africa and around the African diasporas.
Here’s the full list of winners and nominees from the 2023 Trace Awards:
Song of the Year
Calm Down – Rema
Album of the Year
Love Damini – Burna Boy
Best Music Video
Baddie – Yemi Alade
Best Male
Davido
Best Female
Viviane Chidid (Senegal)
Best Collaboration
“Unavailable” – Davido (Nigeria) with Musa Keys (South Africa)
Best Newcomer
Roseline Layo (Ivory Coast)
Best DJ
Michael Brun (Haiti)
Best Producer
Tam Sir (Ivory Coast)
Best Gospel Artist
KS Bloom (Ivory Coast)
Best Live
Fally Ipupa (DRC)
Best Dancer
Robot Boii (South Africa)
Best Artist Africa – Anglophone
Asake (Nigeria)
Best Artist Africa – Francophone
Didi B (Ivory Coast)
Best Artist Africa – Lusophone
Lisandro Cuxi (Cape Verde)
Best Artist – Rwanda
Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
Best Artist – East Africa
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Best Artist – France & Belgium
Tayc (France)
Best Artist – UK
Central Cee (UK)
Best Artist – The Caribbean
Rutshelle Guillaume (Haiti)
Best Artist – Indian Ocean
Goulam (Comoros)
Best Artist – Brazil
Ludmilla (Brazil)
Best Artist – North Africa
Dystinct (Morocco)
