Rwanda: Voting opens for Salax Awards

The awards, which are organised by Ahupa Digital Services, return after a three-year hiatus to acknowledge artists who excelled in the local music industry between 2016 and 2018.

“We’re rebuilding something that had stopped three years ago – an event that recognises the achievements in the country’s music industry," organiser Ahmed Pacifique told The New Times.

The most nominated artist is singer Yvan Buravan who got nods in the Upcoming Artist, Best R&B Artist and Best Male Artist categories.

Voting can be done by sending an SMS with the word SALAX followed by the artist’s code to 9092.

Public voting constitutes 40% of all votes cast, while 60% will come from a special jury.

Best Culture and Traditional Artist

• Mani Martin – (CULTURE 2)
• Sophia Nzayisenga – (CULTURE 4)
• Jules Sentore – (CULTURE 5)
• Clarisse Karasira – (CULTURE 8)
• Deo Munyakazi – (CULTURE 10)

Best Gospel Artist

• Gentil Bigizi – (GOSPEL 1)
• Israel Mbonyi – (GOSPEL 2)
• Bosco Nshuti – (GOSPEL 5)
• Aime Uwimana – (GOSPEL 6)
• Serge Iyamuremye – (GOSPEL 8)
• Patient Bizimana – (GOSPEL 9)

Best Upcoming Artist

• Sintex – (NEW 1)
• Buravan – (NEW 5)
• Andy Bumuntu – (NEW 6) 
• Marina – (NEW 8)
• Alyn Sano – (NEW 10)

Best Group

• Tresor – (GROUP 1)
• Just Family – (GROUP 2)
• Active – (GROUP 3)
• Yemba Voice – (GROUP 5)
• The Same – (GROUP 6)

Best Afrobeat Artist

• Tino – (AFRO 2)
• Danny Vumbi – (AFRO 3)
• Mico The Best –  (AFRO 4)
• Uncle Austin – (AFRO 5)
• Davis D – (AFRO 7)

Best R&B Artist

• Yverry – (RNB 5)
• King James – (RNB 2)
• Social Mula – (RNB 4)
• Bruce Melodie – (RNB 7)
• Buravan – (RNB 9)

Best Hip Hop Artist

• Khalfan – (HIP HOP 3)
• Bull Dogg – (HIP HOP 5)
• Riderman – (HIP HOP 6)
• Jay C – (HIP HOP 7)
• Ama G The Black – (HIP HOP 10)

Best Female Artist

• Marina – (FEMALE 2)
• Queen Cha – (FEMALE 5)
• Assinah Erra – (FEMALE 7)
• Alyn Sano – (FEMALE 8)
• Young Grace – (FEMALE 9)

Best Male Artist

• Israel Mbonyi – (MALE 1)
• Riderman – (MALE 2)
• Buravan – (MALE 5)
• King James – (MALE 7)
• Bruce Melodie – (MALE 10)

For more information about the above categories, click here.