AfriMusic Song Contest 2020 receives record number of entries

The organisers said contestants from 28 African countries had submitted entries, with 24 countries qualifying for the contest. They had also seen a 300% rise in entries compared to the 2019 edition. Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa received the most entries, followed by Zambia and Zimbabwe.

"The AfriMusic Song Contest is the largest music competition platform in Africa to include all 54 countries, creating equal opportunities for emerging musical talent throughout our continent," they said.

"The AfriMusic Song Contest is geared to educate, empower and enable untapped songwriters, composers and singers across Africa, by constructing a positive and confident image of Africa in unity through music, across the continent and on an international stage."

The contest has also announced that public voting is now open via the AfriMusic official website. Voting for national selections will close on 20 March and the overall winner will be announced on 27 April.

Voting for both the national selections and finals will be tallied on a 50:50 ratio, where judges' and public scores will decide the finalists.

“The public and judges will have the opportunity to listen to the approved songs via the AfriMusic digital platform and cast their vote for their favourite song," AfriMusic said. "Votes from the AfriMusic judging panel and public votes are combined and the top 24 artists will make it through to the finals, which will be announced on 10 April.”

In 2019, South African singer Nonzwakazi won the competition with her song 'Phakama Mbokodo' (Rise Women). As part of her prize, she got to travel to Tel Aviv in Israel where she performed at the Eurovision Village in front of some 105 000 music fans.

“The trip was a huge success and the support of the Eurovision fans overwhelming," AfriMusic Song Contest co-founder Suzie Vicente said. "Fans approached the AfriMusic singer-songwriter in crowds, asking for a photo opportunity and autographs, as they warmly welcomed the African beauty to their beautiful city.

"The audience excitement when Nonzwakazi walked onstage was electric, as she represented South Africa and Africa as a whole, in an engaging and inspiring manner. Fans are now excited to know who AfriMusic will be taking to Europe next.”