Kenya: Willy Paul owns Mdundo Awards 2018

Touted as East Africa’s leading online music service, Mdundo has over the past five years made significant strides in the sector, and its awards show is designed to recognise the most listened-to Kenyan artists on its platform.

The winners were selected according to the number of downloads each artist received last year. Willy Paul was the biggest winner of the night and bagged the Most Downloaded Gospel Artist Award and the overall Most Downloaded Single Award.

ONGEA! once again partnered with the Mdudo Awards this year, slotting it as one of the main activities of the four-day East African music summit.

“ONGEA! is our social enterprise. We do this for the industry to connect the region and create opportunities,” the summit's convenor, Mike Strano, said.

Here is the full list of winners: 

Most Downloaded Afro-pop Artist

• Timmy Tdat  (534 047)
• Avril
• Gilad
• Hart the Band
• Dela
• Sauti Sol
• Nyashinski
• Nameless
• Sudi Boy
• Victoria Kimani

 Most Downloaded Hip Hop Artist 

• Khaligraph Jones (411 056)
• Femi One
• Jua Cali
• E-Sir
• Octopizzo
• The Kansoul
• Frasha
• Kristoff
• Rabbit

Most Downloaded Gospel Artist

• Bahati
• Size 8
• Willy Paul (878 323)
• Mercy Masika
• Gloria Muliro
• Pastor Anthony Musembi
• Daddy Owen
• Kymo and Styga
• Collo
• Everlyne Wanjiru

Most Downloaded Male Single

• Nyashinksi – 'Malaika' (121 605)
• Timeless Noel – 'Odi Dance'
• Jay A – 'Balaa' 
• Naiboi – 'Problem'
• Khaligraph Jones – 'Mazishi'      
• Timmy Dat – 'Trikide'
• Jimmy Gait – 'Kuna Day'
• Willy Paul – 'Fanya'
• King Kaka – 'Swahili Shakespear'
• Pitson – 'Niache Niimbe'

Most Downloaded Female Single

• Dela – 'Mafeelings'
• Mercy Maskia – 'Nikupenedze' (125 759)
• Femi One – 'Tippy Toe'
• Everlyne Wanjiru – 'Mungu Mkuu' 
• Atemi – 'Bebi Bebi'
• Fena Gitu – 'Doing Her Thing Though'
• Gloria Muliro – 'Ndio Yako' 
• Avril – 'Made to Love'
• Alice Kamande – 'Wewe Pekee '
• Kambua – 'Anatimiza'

Most Downloaded Group Single

• Sauti Sol – 'Isabella'                        
• The Kansoul – 'Bablas' (159 250)
• Adawnage – 'Naomba'
• Kaymo and Styga – 'Gathigiriri'
• High Pitch band – 'Despacito remix'  
• Le Band – 'Number 1'
• P-Unit – 'You Guy'
• Les Wanyika – 'Sina Makosa'
• Hart the Band – 'Masheesha'
• Amos and Josh – 'Lovers Rock'

Most Downloaded Single 2017

• The Kansoul – 'Bablas'
• Nyashinski – 'Malaika' 
• Everlyne Wanjiru – 'Mungu Mkuu' 
• Willy Paul – 'I Do'  (246 820)
• Collo – 'Bazokizo'
• Femi One – 'Tippy Toe'
• Timmy Dat – 'Trikide' 
• Khaligraph Jones – 'Micasa Sucasa'
• Mercy Masika – 'Nikupendeze'
• Gloria Muliro – 'Narudisha'