AFRIMAs 2019 announce regional nominees

The remaining 25 categories will be released on 23 August 2019 after an external audit.

The first announcement was made at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos by AFRIMA associate producer Aderele Niyi.

The nominees were carefully picked by a jury of music professionals from across the African continent based on creativity, excellence, integrity and originality.

The AFRIMAs recently pulled out of Ghana where the awards were planned to take place between 21 and 23 November. The organisers cited the country's lack of capacity in meeting its financial and contractual obligations.

Niyi said the event was established to reward and celebrate musical talent across the continent while promoting African culture.

“The platform is to position Africa as a musical hub for the world, as Africans are seen as talented and highly creative. This is going to be the sixth edition of the AFRIMAs and I can say that it has been getting better each year. This year’s edition promises to be a unique one,” she said.

Niyi also called for support from African leaders to assist in broadening the scope of the event in terms of international acceptance.

Below are the regional nominees:

Best Male Artist in Western Africa

• Burna Boy (Nigeria) – 'Ye'
• Davido (Nigeria) – 'Wonder Woman'
• Kizz Daniel (Nigeria) – 'Madu'
• Wizkid (Nigeria) – 'Fever'
• King Promise (Ghana) – 'Abena'
• Salif Keita (Mali) – 'Gnamale' ft. Ladysmith Black Mambazo
• Shatta Wale (Ghana) – 'My Level'
• Sidiki Diabate (Mali) – 'I Love You'
• DJ Arafat (Ivory Coast) – 'Moto Moto'

Best Female Artist in Western Africa

• Aya Nakamura (Mali) – 'Pookie'
• Simi (Nigeria) – 'I Dun Care'
• Jossey (Ivory Coast) – 'Mise Au Point'
• Tiwa Savage (Nigeria) – 'One'
• Kanvee Adams (Liberia) – 'Daily Prayer'
• Teni (Nigeria) – 'Case'
• Manamba Kante (Guinea) – 'Nany Baly'
• Yemi Alade (Nigeria) – 'Oh My Gosh'
• MzVee (Ghana) – 'Bend Down' ft. Kuame Eugene
• Niniola (Nigeria) – 'Bana'

 Best Male Artist in Southern Africa

• AKA (South Africa) – 'Jika' ft. Yanga Chief
• Prince Kaybee ft Busiswa and TNS (South Africa) – 'Banomoya'
• Casper Nyovest (South Africa) – 'Move For Me' ft. Boskasie
• Black Coffee and David Guetta (South Africa) – 'Drive' ft. Delilah Montagu
• Sjava (South Africa) – 'Umama'
• Jah Prayzah (Zimbabwe) – 'Dzamutsana'
• Winky D (Zimbabwe) – 'MuGarden' ft. Gemma
• Nasty C (South Africa) – 'SMA' ft. Rowlene

Best Female Artist in Southern Africa

• Ammara Brown (Zimbabwe) – 'Svoto' ft. Mr Eazi
• Tamy Moyo (Zimbabwe) – 'Kwandinobva'
• Zonke (South Africa) – 'Tonight'
• Kelly Khumalo (South Africa) – 'Jehova' ft. J FLo
• Nadia Nakai (South Africa) – 'Imma Boss'
• Sho Madjozi (South Africa) – 'Idhom'
• Trina South (Zambia) – 'Weka'
• Chikune ft. Mbosso (Namibia) – 'Pieces'

Best Male Artist in Eastern Africa

• Boy Black (Madagascar) – 'Hitambarako'
• Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) – 'Inama' ft. Fally Ipupa
• Harmonize (Tanzania) – 'Never Give Up'
• Khaligraph Jones (Kenya) – 'Leave Me Alone'
• Shyn (Madagascar) – 'Ngoma' ft. Denise
• Rayvanny (Tanzania) – 'Tetema' ft. Diamond Platnumz
• Mbosso (Tanzania) – 'Hodari'
• Nyashinski (Kenya) – 'Hello'

Best Female Artist in Eastern Africa

• Irene Namatovu (Uganda) – 'Tweyanze'
• Maua Sama (Tanzania) – 'Lokote'
• Nandy (Tanzania) – 'Aibu'
• Nikita Kering (Kenya) – 'Happy With You'
• Rosa Ree (Tanzania) – 'Dip n' Wine It' ft. G Nako
• Sheeba (Uganda) – 'Wankona'
• Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania) – 'Moyo'
• Queen Darleen (Tanzania) – 'Mbali' ft. Harmonize

Best Male Artist in Central Africa

• C4 Pedro (Angola) – 'Se Eu Soubesse'
• Fally Ipupa (DRC) – 'Aime Moi'
• Locko (Cameroon) – 'Let Go'
• Magasco (Cameroon) – 'Calling My Driver' ft. Mimie
• Maitre Gims (DRC) – 'Hola Senorita' ft. Maluma
• Rui Orlando (Angola) – 'Me Leva Contigo' ft. Barbara Bandeira
• Niska (Congo Brazzaville) – 'Medicament'
• Salatiel (Cameroon) – 'Anita'
• Ya Levis (DRC) – 'Katchua'

Best Female Artist in Central Africa

• Anna Joyce (Angola) – 'Destino'
• Blanche Bailly (Cameroon) – 'Ton Pied Mon Pied'
• Bruna Tatiana (Angola) – 'Musica Para Ti'
• Charlotte Dipanda (Cameroon) – 'Un Jour Dans Ma Vie'
• Daphne (Cameroon) – 'Ne Laches Pas'
• Duda (Angola) – 'Fica So' ft. Landrick
• Shan’L (Gabon) – 'Ces't Pas Les Gbes'
• Titica (Angola) – 'Giro De Bicycleta' ft. Laton Cordeiro

Best Male Artist in Northern Africa

• Ahmed Soultan (Morocco) – 'Draw My Life'
• Amiinux (Morocco) – 'Bini W Biwaen'
• Amr Diab (Egypt ) – 'Bahebo'
• Cairokee (Egypt) – 'Kan Lak Ma 'Ya'
• DJ Moh Green (Algeria) – 'Africa Proud' ft. Wally B. Seck, IbaOne, Josey, Fanicko, Stanley, Kafon, Heritier, Dub Africa and BGMFK
• Mostafa Hagag (Egypt) – 'Khatwa'
• Soolking (Algeria) – 'Esperance'
• Tamer Hosny (Egypt) – 'Naseny Lay'
• Yann'Sine (Morocco) – 'J'essaie'

Best Female Artist in Northern Africa

• Jaylann (Morocco) – 'Allo allo'
• Kenza Morsli (Algeria) – 'Kettal'
• Nada Azhari (Morocco) – 'Jrit'
• Psychoqueen (Morocco) – 'Enta' Habibi'
• Salma Rachid (Morocco) – 'Ma Gazzelle' ft. Mok Saib
• Sherine (Egypt) – 'Kadabeen'
• Souhila Ben Lachhab (Algeria) – 'Donia Gdeda'