New categories added to Uganda’s HiPipo awards

This year's ceremony will honour winners in these new categories: Raising Diva Stand Out Act, East Africa Best Female Artist and Africa Best Female Artist. The addition is intended to celebrate female accomplishment in music.

Furthermore, HiPipo has also added Best Song from Western Africa and Best Song from Southern Africa in a bid to expand its coverage in celebrating music in those regions and promote cultural integration on the continent.

Speaking to Music In Africa, CEO HiPipo Music Awards Innocent Kawooya said the body is committed to celebrating, honouring, and sustaining African music’s past, present, and future.

“The women HiPipo music awards is presenting to the world are the standing voices that speak for millions of women across the globe,” he said. “At HiPipo, we believe the earlier we celebrate these women by giving them a platform to standout, the better for Africa. Creating these opportunities in one of the best ways to achieve this.”

“We envision a developed Africa” he added. “ Recognizing outstanding women means that another woman can create the kind of life she wishes to lead, unconstrained by limiting norms and stereotypes.”

Kawooya says the nominated females are adding flavour and creativity to art: “You will see when you watch these women music videos, many of them are so inspiring not only to the fans but to the entire creative arts industry. For instance, if the African film industry is to grow much faster, it must rely on such celebrated women in music, first, to a greater extent.”

The 2018 nominee list from over 15 countries has been announced and official voting opened on 22 December, 2017. Voting closes on the gala night.

Public votes constitute 70% of the votes cast. Fans can either vote via the HiPipo website or social media channels Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For WhatsApp and SMS, fans are to use +256778087194. 30% of the votes will be provided by HiPipo music assembly made up of selected previous winners and nominees and media personalities.

Here is the complete list of nominees:

Africa Song of the Year

• Alikiba – Seduce Me
• C4 Pedro Ft Sauti Sol – Love Again
• Cassper Nyovest – Tito Mboweni
• Darassa Ft. Ben Pol – Muziki
• Davido – IF
• Diamond Platnumz Ft. Ne-Yo – Marry You
• Eddy Kenzo – Jubilation
• Jah Prayzah Ft. Mafikizolo – Sendekera
• Major Lazer & DJ Maphorisa – Particula (ft. Nasty C, Ice Prince, Patoranking & Jidenna)https://musicinafrica.net/directory/dj-maphorisa
• Roberto – Into You
• Runtown – Mad Over You
• Sheebah – John Rambo
• Wizkid – Come Closer Ft. Drake

Africa Video of the Year

• AKA – Caiphus Song
• Davido – Fall
• Diamond Platnumz Ft. Morgan Heritage – Hallelujah
• Flavour – Baby Na Yoka
• Mafikizolo – Love Potion
• Major Lazer & DJ Maphorisa – Particula (ft. Nasty C, Ice Prince, Patoranking & Jidenna)
• Eazi – Leg Over
• Sarkodie – Pain Killer Ft. Runtown
• Sauti Sol Ft. Patoranking – Melanin
• Sheebah – The Way
• Tekno – Rara
• Tiwa Savage – All Over
• Toofan – Terre

Best Francophone Africa Act

• Adiouza – Ma La Nob
• Awilo Longomba – Esopi Yo Tiwa Savage
• Daphne – Calée
• Dj Arafat –Kpadoompo
• Dj Kerozen – Le Temps
• Fally Ipupa – Eloko Iyo
• Maabo – Yako Waral
• Serge Beynaud – Akrakabo
• Sidiki Diabaté – Je Suis Désolé
• Toofan – Terre

Africa Best Female Artist

• Babes Wodumo [South Africa]
• Daphne [Cameroon]
• Josey [Ivory Coast]
• Mampi [Zambia]
• MzVee [Ghana]
• Sheebah Karungi [Uganda]
• Tiwa Savage [Nigeria]
• Vanesa Mdee [Tanzania]
• Victoria Kimani [Kenya]
• Yemi Alade [Nigeria]

Best Song from Western Africa

• Davido – IF
• Flavour – Baby Na Yoka
• Eazi – Leg Over
• Runtown – Mad Over You
• Sarkodie – Pain Killer Ft. Runtown
• Tekno – Rara
• Tiwa Savage – All Over
• Toofan – Terre
• Wande Coal & DJ Tunez – Iskaba
• Wizkid Ft. Drake – Come Closer

Best Song from Southern Africa

• AKA – Caiphus Song
• Babes Wodumo Ft. Mampintsha & Danger – Umngan’wami
• C4 Pedro – Vou Ter Saudades
• Cassper Nyovest – Tito Mboweni
• Jah Prayzah Ft. Mafikizolo – Sendekera
• Kwesta Ft. Wale – Spirit
• Mafikizolo – Love Potion
• Nasty C – NDA
• Roberto – Into You
• Shekhinah – Suited

Rwanda Video of The Year

• Butera Knowless – Uzagaruke
• Charly na Nina – Zahabu
• Meddy – Ntawamusimbura
• The Ben – Habibi

Song of the Year Rwanda

• Bruce Melodie – Ikinya
• Butera Knowless – Winning team
• Charly & Nina – Face to Face
• Christopher – Simusiga
• Deejay Pius – Wabulila Wa
• Kid Gaju – Kami Ft. The Ben
• Meddy – Slowly
• The Ben ft. Tom Close – Thank You
• Urban Boyz – Mama
• Yvery – Nkuko Njya Mbirota

Song of the Year Tanzania

• AliKiba – Seduce Me
• Darassa Ft. Ben Pol – Muziki
• Diamond Platnumz – Marry You ft. Ne-Yo
• Harmonize X Rich Mavoko – Show Me
• Navy Kenzo ft. Patoranking – Bajaj
• Rayvanny – Zezeta
• Saida Karoli – Orugambo
• Vanessa Mdee and Jux – Juu
• WCB Wasafi Artists – Zilipendwa

Song of the Year Kenya

• Akothee – Baby Daddy
• C4 Pedro Ft Sauti Sol – Love Again
• Femi One ft. Kristoff – Tippy Toe!
• Gabu Ft. Roberto – Be Nice
• Khaligraph Jones – Nataka Iyo Doh
• Nyashinski – Malaika
• Octopizzo – TBT
• The Band BeCa – Brathe
• The Kansoul – Bablas (Hangover)
• Vivian Ft Redsan – Attention
• Willy Paul & Alaine – I Do

East Africa Super Hit

• Alikiba – Seduce Me
• Darassa Ft. Ben Pol – Muziki
• Diamond Platnumz Ft. Ne-Yo – Marry You
• Eddy Kenzo – Jubilation
• Geosteady Ft. Charly & Nina – Owooma
• Sheebah Ft The Ben – Binkolera
• Wcb Wasafi Artists – Zilipendwa
• Willy Paul & Alaine – I Do

East Africa Best Video

• Diamond Platnumz – Eneka
• Eddy Kenzo – Jubilation
• Harmonize X Rich Mavoko – Show Me
• Juliana Kanyomozi – I’m Still Here
• Meddy – Ntawamusimbura
• Sauti Sol Feat Patoranking – Melanin
• Sheebah Karungi – The Way
• The Ben – Habibi
• Wcb Wasafi Artists – Zilipendwa
• Willy Paul & Alaine – I Do

East Africa Best Breakthrough Artist

• Ben Pol [TZ]
• Bruce Melodie [RW]
• Darassa [TZ]
• Lydia Jazmine [UG]
• Meddy [RW]
• Nyashinski [KE]
• The Band BeCa [KE]
• The Ben [RW]

Best East African Collabo

• Avril Ft A Pass – Babiee [UG/KE]
• Bahati Ft Eddy Kenzo – Barua Kwa Mama [KE/UG]
• Buravan Ft. AY – Just a Dance [RW/TZ]
• Geosteady Ft. Charly & Nina – Owooma [UG/RW]
• Navio Ft King Kaka – Throne [UG/KE]
• Rabadaba Ft Jody – Body [UG/RW]
• Sheebah Ft. The Ben – Binkolera [UG/RW]
• Bahati ft Rayvanny – Nikumbushe [KE/TZ]

East Africa Best Female Artist

• Akothee [Kenya]
• Avril [Kenya]
• Butera Knowless [Rwanda]
• Charly and Nina [Rwanda]
• Nandy [Tanzania]
• Sheebah [Uganda]
• Vanessa Mdee [Tanzania]
• Victoria Kimani [Kenya]

Artist of the Year

• David Lutalo
• Eddy Kenzo
• Geosteady
• Rema
• Sheebah

Best Male Artist

• Chris Evans Kaweesi
• David Lutalo
• Eddy Kenzo
• Geosteady
• Navio
• Ziza Bafana

Best Female Artist

• Fille
• Jackie Kizito
• Mary Bata
• Rema
• Sheebah
• Winnie Nwagi

Best Duo/Group

• B2C
• Jayman and T Paul
• Kent & Flosso: Voltage Music
• Radio and Weasel

Best Breakthrough Artist

• Deena aka Sabrina Herr
• Fik Fameica
• Jayman and T Paul
• Kent & Flosso: Voltage Music
• Latinum
• Vinka

Must Watch Talent

• Barbarita
• Critical Emario
• Dax Vibes
• Icey Kiba
• Jazz Mavoko
• Josh SB
• JY Jaxon
• Mina Izah
• Nina Roz
• Rhona Salme
• Zulanda

Best DJ

• Deejay Fikie
• DJ Baby Love
• DJ Bryan
• DJ Hearts
• DJ Mark
• DJ Shiru
• DJ Slick Stuart & DJ Roja
• Selector Jay

Album of the Year

• B2C – Born to Conquer
• Eddy Kenzo – Biology
• Geosteady – Lovenjitis
• Maro – Atwooki
• Sheebah – Karma Queen

Video of the Year

• David Lutalo – Kwasa
• Eddy Kenzo – Jubilation
• Juliana Kanyomozi – I’m Still Here
• Navio – Rider
• Rema – Banyabo
• Sheebah Karungi – The Way

Song of The Year (Uganda)

• David Lutalo – Kwasa
• Eddy Kenzo – Jubilation
• Geosteady ft. Charly & Nina – Owooma
• Radio & Weasel & B2C – Gutamiiza
• Rema – Banyabo
• Sheebah – John Rambo

Best Audio Producer

• Andre
• Diggy Baur
• Dr Fizzo
• Eno Beats
• Henry Kiwuuwa
• Nessim
• Paddyman
• Yaled

Best Video Director

• Grate Make – Dir. Pest
• Meddie Menz – Dir. Meddie
• Ng Filmz – Dir. Nolton
• Swangz Filmz – Dir. Marvin Musoke
• Virtual Media – Dir. Zyga Phix
• Jah Live – Dir. Frank

Best Video Editing and Visual Effects

• Nolton for “Kwasa”
• Meddie for “Banyabo”
• Cyril Ducottet for “Missing You”
• Ken Heights Sabiiti for “Kale”
• Authur for “Ngoma Bugoma”
• Pest for “Stamina Daddy”

Best Song Writer

• Jamie Culture
• Moses Radio
• Dokta Brain
• Rafiki
• Black Skin
• Andre

Best Hip-Hop/Rap Song

• Big Tril – Bad Gyal Ting (Wanji)
• Da Agent – Nkalabuka
• Ffeffe Buusi – Yes No
• Fik Fameica – Kutama
• Mulekwa Nampeera – Abaana Bano
• Mun G & Kemishan – Big Bumpa
• Navio Ft King Kaka – Throne
• Victor Kamenyo – Lagako

Best RnB/Soul Song

• Desire Luzinda – Kale
• Juliana Kanyomozi – Right Here
• Kenneth Mugabi – Naki
• Naava Grey – Ndi Ndi Ndi
• Rema – Kaliro
• Sheebah – John Rambo

Best Ragga Dancehall Song

• Cindy Sanyu – Run This City
• Latinum – Man Away
• Rabadaba and Jody Phibi – Body
• Spice Diana – Bimpe
• Vinka, Kent & Flosso – Over Dose
• Slick Stuart & Roja – Eva
• Ziza Bafana – Joker

Best Reggae Song

• Bruno K – One For The Road
• Easy Bash – Ebirooto
• Jamal – Pressure
• Juliana Kanyomozi – I’m Still Here
• Naira Ali – So High
• Serena Bata – Byamutima
• Slave Ooman And Man Son – Ani Asinga

Best Religious Song

• Diana Nalubega – Mbega Urukundo
• Exodus – Tosumagira
• Joseph Tamale – Gumikiriza
• Levixone – Esaala
• New Chapter – Bingi
• Swahaba Kasumba – Mwebale Okusiiba

Best Band song

• Chris Evans Kaweesi Ft. David Lutalo – Nguwe Ani
• David Lutalo – Kwasa
• Mary Bata – Tugenda Komawa
• Maureen Nantume – Malidaadi
• Mesach Semakula – I Do
• Sophie Nantongo – Akambayaya
• Eddy Yawe Ft. Carol Nantongo – Tukigale

Best Contemporary Folk song

• Chris Evans Kaweesi – Nakupenda
• Kapalaga Baibe – Omwana Wa Maama
• Kiti Makiti – Ngoma Bugoma
• Maro – Nziranago
• Navio – Tumunonye
• Sarah Musayimuto – Nseyeya
• Swahaba Kasumba – Jagaana
• Winnie Nwagi – Kano Koze

Best Kadongo Kamu Song

• Abdul Mulaasi – Byali Mu Plan
• Gerald Kiweewa – Lukanyala
• Hassan Ndugga – Kampala Agaanye
• Jackie Kizito – Zirindaba
• Kazibwe Kapo – Emundu
• Sereste Kasule – Mulamu
• Willy Mukaabya – Wolokoso Ekyaana Kya Kayanda

Best Zouk Song

• Fille – Nakupenda (I Love You)
• Geosteady – Tokendenza
• Geosteady Ft Charly & Nina – Owooma
• Lydia Jazmine – Nkubanja
• Maurice Kirya – Go Insane
• Rema – Yo Sweet
• Zanie Brown – Muyaye

Best Afrobeat Song

• Big Eye Starboss – Bantute
• Fille Clear Ft Babarita – Akatijjo
• Irene Ntale – Stamina Daddy
• Roden Y Kabako Ft Sheebah & Fik Fameica – Sitani Tonkema
• Sheebah – The Way
• Spice Diana – Bukete
• Ziza Bafana – Mavuunya

Best Afropop Song

• Ceaserous – Kilila
• Eddy Kenzo – Jubilation
• Kent and Flosso – Cheza Mama
• Lydia Jazmine – Drum
• Rema – Banyabo
• Radio and Weasel + B2C – Gutamiiza

Best A-Cappella Group

• Canaan Gents
• Cape Brothers
• Jehovah Shalom
• Sauti Ya Africa
• Spring Gents
• The Harmonics

Best Song from Eastern Region

• Afande Miah Ft. Roo Ya Simba – Tunaweza
• Genious Drey – Edeke Ejeni
• Judith Akol – Aseu Ekatau
• Ngobi Joel Ft Hoe and Yazo – Nafuna Omukisa
• Park U – Kirintaka
• Rexy – Kamalala
• Sharon Sento Ft Byg Ben Sukuya – Hello Baby
• Snr Gazampa Peter M – Biva Muntuyo

Best Song from Western Region

• Deena Ft. Megatone – Murungi
• Eddy Vybz – Kwikiriza
• Figo West – Sente
• Gen Geeon – Karongo
• Kazoora – Okumbumba
• Mat Henry – Tibyemizaano
• Medotex – Bakakyakara
• Penny Patra – Omukazi Ashweerwa
• Ray G Rhiganz – Nuunu
• Shine Omukiga – Omugane
• Amani Amaniga – Zagwa

Best Song from Southern Region

• Omukajanga Jose MC Da Virus – Bakoone
• Juicy Landy & Mr. Spelling – Ebaluwa
• Kool Banti – Mukyaka Mukyaka
• Navy Kayz and Trisha – Neighbor Ebintu byo
• Nikea Ft. Ratigan – Tompaana
• Tonny Rich – Masaka

Best Song from Northern Region

• Beepee – Akello
• Bushy the King – Sente
• General Ice – Gin Aloo Obanga pe
• Lucky Bosmic Otim – Osangala
• Lucky Dee – Eni de Podi
• Okeng Born town – Muziki Time
• Pretty B – ”Dwoka Dwoni Piny’
• Profesa Maros – Ole
• Twisky Fingaz – Nyongeza
• W’ojok Dekoda – Luo Juice

Best School Act

• Buddo SS- This Is Buddo
• Destiny SSS Hoima – The World Of My Dream
• Global Junior School – Talanta
• St Joseph SS Naggalama – Uganda Ekkula
• Anthony Kajjansi – Ebitutta

Best Social Message (Inspirational ACT)

• Juliana Kanyomozi – I’m Still Here
• Maureen Nantume – Ndimuzadde
• Rema – Banyabo
• Sarah Musayimuto – Maama Nkusabira

Raising Diva Stand Out Act

• Angelina – Go Down
• Lydia Jazmine – Drum
• Sarah Musayimuto – Nseyeya
• Spice Diana – Anti Kale
• Vinka – Malayika
• Zanie Brown – Muyaye

Hall of Fame

• Born in Africa – [Philly Lutaaya]
• Bus Dunia – [Herman Basudde]
• Claire – Ronald Mayinja
• Ddole y’omwana – [Lord Fred Ssebatta]
• Drums of Africa – [Jimmy Katumba]
• Ebinyumu – [Elly Wamala]
• Ebisanyi – Kabuye Semboga
• Jim – Joanita Kawalya [Afrigo Band]
• Kimuli kya Rose – [Fred Maiso]
• Malibongwe – Limit X
• Walumbe Zaaya – [Paul Job Kafeero]
• Wipolo – [George Okudi]

Get your ordinary ticket for UGX 200,000 ($56) or corporate tables for UGX 5 million ($1400). Mobile Money Number +256778087194.