Nigeria’s singers Davido, Tiwa Savage and Falz won awards at the 5th Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA held in Accra, Ghana Saturday night.
But one of the greatest honours of the night was won by Ethiopian singer Betty G. She won Africa’s best album of the year and also was rated the best female artiste in East Africa.
Davido scooped Africa’s artiste of the year, with his album, FIA. He also won the best male artiste in West Africa. Tiwa Savage won West Africa’s best female artiste and Falz ran away with best African rapper award.
The night of honours did not belong solely to the active artistes. There were also awards for Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state and two veterans South African Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Ghana’s Teddy Ossei, the leader of the Osadebe group, created in 1969.
Chaka Chaka, dubbed Princess of Africa, won the 5th Afrima legendary award. She has has a career spanning over 30 years with several hit albums.
Ambode was awarded a special recognition for his contributions towards the growth and development of the Arts and Tourism sector of Lagos state, most importantly the role Lagos state played as official host of AFRIMA in its last 4 years from 2014 – 2017.
Teddy Osei who was helped to the stage in a wheelchair was overwhelmed by the honour. He had suffered a mild stroke.
The award night, which had in attendance music stars, dignitaries, and music lovers across the continent, seeks to celebrate and reward African talents who have done exceedingly well in the year.
Artistes were given awards based on 36 categories.
All the winners:
REGIONAL CATEGORY
Best Female Artiste in Central Africa
-Daphne / Cameroon / Jusqu’à La Gare
Best Male Artiste in Central Africa
-Fally Ipupa / DRC / Mannequin Ft Keback & Naz
Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa
-Betty G / Ethiopia / Mengedegna
Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa
-Bebe Cool / Uganda / Freedom
Best Female Artiste in Northern Africa
-Lyna Mahyem ft Medi Meyz /Algeria / Bye Bye
Best Male Artiste in Northern Africa
-Hamza El Fadly / Morocco / Ya Mraya
Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa
-Shekhinah / South Africa / Please Mr
Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa
-Nasty C / South Africa / Jungle
Best Female Artiste in Western Africa
-Tiwa Savage / Nigeria / Ma Lo Ft. Wizkid & Spellz
Best Male Artiste in Western Africa
-Davido / Nigeria / Fia
5TH AFRIMA WINNERS CONTINENTAL CATEGORY
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
-Betty G / Ethiopia / Wegegta
ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
-Davido / Nigeria / FIA
BEST AFRICAN VIDEO
-Sesan / Gringo (Shatta Wale) / Nigeria
BEST AFRICAN ACT IN DIASPORA
-Hazel Mak / Malawi / Jaiva Ft. Roberto & Tay Grin
BEST AFRICAN COLLABORATION
-GuiltyBeatz, Mr. Eazi, Patapaa & Pappy Kojo / Ghana-Nigeria / Akwaaba
-Kidi / Ghana / Odo Remix Ft. Mayorkun & Davido
BEST AFRICAN DJ
-Afrotronix / Chad / OyO
-Master KG / South Africa / Skeleton Move Ft. Zanda Zakuza
BEST AFRICAN DUO, GROUP OR BAND
– Toofan / Togo / Money
-M.ANIFEST FT KING PROMISE / Ghana / ME NE WOA
BEST AFRICAN RAPPER OR LYRICIST
-Falz / Nigeria / La Fête
– Maryam Saleh, Maurice Louca, Tamer Abu Ghazaleh / Egypt / Ekaa Maksour
-Irene Namatovu / Uganda / Nsambila Nyuma Nga Janzi
BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN AFRICAN INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC
-Sandra Nankoma / Uganda / Kaddugala
BEST MALE ARTISTE IN AFRICAN INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC
-Sarkodie / Ghana / Glory Ft. Yung
MOST PROMISING ARTISTE IN AFRICA
-Kuami Eugene / Ghana / Confusion
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
-Fresh VDM / Togo / Fia
REVELATION OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENT
-Betty G / Ethiopia / Ere Manew
SONG OF THE YEAR
-GuiltyBeatz, Mr. Eazi, Patapaa & Pappy Kojo / Akwaaba / Ghana
SONG WRITER OF THE YEAR
-Shekhinah Donell, Amon Taulo Chibiya II / South Africa / Different Ft. Mariechan
AFRICAN FANS’ FAVOURITE
-Nedy Music / Tanzania / One and Only Ft. Ruby