AFRIMA announces first batch of nominees for 2015

The group—consisting regional representatives as well as Executive Producer Mike Dada, Adjudication Director Mike Strano and Chairman International Media Committee Steve Ayorinde­—spoke about the aims and nomination process of the awards.  

‘We receive a link from artists,’ they said. ‘We check every link for production quality, composition, melody…among others and award marks.’

Subsequent to the announcement of nominee list, dominated by Nigeria and South Africa in the general categories, the panel was asked about the recurrence of some names from the previous edition. ‘The more you apply,’ the group said, ‘the better your chances. We can’t give the award to people who have not entered. Also, the key is consistency.’

Another question asked was on the existence of a cash prize. No cash prize, they said. Citing one of last year’s winner, Ghanaian singer Wiyaala recently featured on CNN, the group said ‘winning AFRIMA will take you to the next level.’

Asked how AFRIMA is different from Africa’s other award shows? Ayorinde said, ‘It is unaffiliated to a commercial platform and an industry initiative.’

He added that, ‘AFRIMA rests on a tripod. The music summit, the music village and the award ceremony. Also, AFRIMA has a partnership with the African Union—how relevant is art if it can’t cohabit with politics?’

The nominees for the 2015 edition of AFRIMA are:

Album of the Year Wizkid – Ayo (Joy) – Nigeria P-Square – Double Trouble – Nigeria Charlotte Dipanda – Elle n’a pas vu – Cameroon Mani Bella – Face a Face – Cameroon Yemi Alade – King of Queens – Nigeria Alsarah & Nubatones – Silt – Sudan Brymo – Tabula Rasa – Nigeria Flavour – Thankful – Nigeria Wiyaala – The Lioness – Ghana   Song of the Year Sarkodie – Adonai (Remix) featuring Castro – Ghana Charlotte Dipanda – Elle n’a pas vu – Cameroon Davido – Fans Mi featuring Meek Mill – Nigeria Yemi Alade – Kissing – Nigeria Alikiba – Mwana – Tanzania Diamond Platnumz – Nasema Nawe – Tanzania Wizkid – Ojuelegba – Nigeria P-Square – Shekini – Nigeria Sauti Sol – Sura Yako – Kenya Dr Jose Chameleone – Wale Wale – Uganda   Artist of the Year Alikiba – Tanzania Charlotte Dipanda – Cameroon Davido – Nigeria Diamond Platnumz – Tanzania Flavour – Nigeria Dr Jose Chameleone – Uganda Olamide – Nigeria Sarkodie – Ghana Wizkid – Nigeria Yemi Alade – Nigeria   Best Male Artist (West Africa) Brymo – 1 Pound – Nigeria Davido – Fans Mi feat Meek Mill – Nigeria Flavour – Golibe – Nigeria Olamide – Shakiti Bobo – Nigeria Sarkodie – Adonai (Remix) – Ghana Wizkid – Ojuelegba – Nigeria   Best Female Artist (West Africa) Efya – Forgetting Me – Ghana Niyola – Last Bust Stop – Nigeria Ruby Gyang – Good Man – Nigeria Seyi Shay – Jangilova – Nigeria Wiyaala – Africa – Ghana Yemi Alade – Kissing – Nigeria   Best Male Artist (South Africa) Beatenberg – Beauty like a Tightened Bow – South Africa Cassper Nyovest – Ghetto featuring DJ Drama & Anatii – South Africa DJ Malvado – Toca Ninguem se Mexe featuring The Groove & Equipe Explosao – Angola Djeff Afrozila – Ser Kazukuta featuring Yuri da Cunha – Angola Jeremy Loops – Down South featuring Motheo Moleko – South Africa KO – Son of a Gun – South Africa   Best Female Artist (South Africa) Anna Joyce – Ja Nao Combina – Angola Bucie – Shela – South Africa Busiswa – Lahla featuring DJ Buckz & Uhuru – South Africa Celma Munyavi – Kutsavaga Mari – Zimbabwe Kelly Khumalo – Asine – South Africa   Best Male Artist (North Africa) Ahmed Soultan – This is who I am featuring Wiyaala– Morocco Amr Diab – Gamalo – Egypt Aziz Sahmaoui – Mazal – Morocco Don Bigg – Ghadi Bellour – Morocco Monsif Jilali – Bki ya Layne – Morocco Simo Lagnawi – Bolami – Morocco   Best Female Artist (North Africa) Cheba Sabrine – Oublie Moi – Algeria Jannat – Agbany Shakhsito – Egypt Manal – #Denia – Morocco Samira Said – Mazloom – Morocco Souad Massi – El Boulbouli – Algeria   Best Male Artist (Eastern Africa) Alikiba – Mwana – Tanzania Diamond Platnumz – Nasema Nawe – Tanzania Jaguar – One Centimtre – Kenya Jose Chameleone – Wale Wale – Uganda Kidum & Boda Boda band – Ihorere – Burundi Teddy Afro – Korkuma Africa – Ethiopia   Best Female Artist (Eastern Africa) Alsarah & The Nubatones – Habibi Taal – Sudan Helen Berhe – Gumema Bet – Ethiopia Lilian Mbabazi – Simple Girl – Uganda Linah – Ole Themba – Tanzania Suzanna Owiyo – Wamiel – Kenya Tsedenia – Yet Biye – Ethiopia   Best Male Artist (Central Africa) Awilo Longomba – Bundele – Democratic Republic of Congo Herleo Muntu – Muabilayi – Democratic Republic of Congo Junior Enyango – Belle Mere – Cameroon Locko – Margo – Cameroon Numerica & Bana C4 – Kossa Moi Ca – Cameroon Stanley Enow & DJ Neptune – King Kong – Cameroon   Best Female Artist (Central Africa) Betty Akna – Africa United – Equatorial Guinea Charlotte Dipanda – Elle n’a pas Vu – Cameroon Laurette La Perle – Twist – Democratic Republic of Congo Mani Bella – Face a Face – Cameroon Missy BK – Ndolo – Cameroon