The Trace Awards highlight the richness and excellence of Afro music through genres such as Afrobeat, dancehall, hip-hop, Afropop, mbalax, amapiano, zouk, kizomba, genge, coupé-décalé, bongo flava, soukous, gospel, rap, raï, kompa, R&B, and rumba. Artists from over 30 countries in Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, and Europe are competing in 24 categories.

Leading the pack are South Africa’s Tyla and Tyler ICU, Nigeria’s Asake and Rema, and the ever-influential Burna Boy. Among the most highly anticipated categories is Song of the Year, where a mix of powerhouse names, including Tyla’s smash hit ‘Jump’ and Tyler ICU’s infectious ‘Mnike’, are vying for the top honour. Other contenders in the category include Nigerian heavyweights like Asake & Travis Scott with ‘Active’, Tems’ ‘Love Me Jeje’, and Burna Boy’s ‘Higher’. Rema and Shallipopi’s collaboration ‘Benin Boys’ and Diamond Platnumz’s ‘Komasawa’ also add to the stellar competition, reflecting the growing global appeal of African music.

In the Album of the Year category, Nigeria continues to dominate with highly anticipated projects, including Burna Boy’s I Told Them, Asake’s Lungu Boy, and Rema’s Heis. Ghana’s Amaarae, King Promise, and Stonebwoy are also making a mark with their respective albums, while Ivory Coast’s Josey and Togo’s Toofan are making significant contributions to the continent’s music scene.

The Best Collaboration category is brimming with dynamic partnerships. The remix of ‘Tshwala Bam’ by South Africa’s Titom & Yuppe featuring Burna Boy has caught the attention of fans, while collaborations like Asake & Wizkid’s ‘MMS’ and Kocee ft. Patoranking’s ‘Credit Alert’ have already set dance floors ablaze. Not to be overlooked, Odumodublvck & Black Sherif’s ‘Woto Woto Seasoning’ and the vibrant ‘Nu Ka Sta Para’ by Neyna & MC Acondize (Cape Verde) further showcase the unity and creativity within African music.

In the Best Music Video category, a slew of iconic directors have shaped some of the year’s most visually striking music videos. From Meji Alabi’s stunning visuals for Rema’s ‘DND’ to Nabil Elderkin’s work on Tyla’s ‘Jump’, the artistry behind these projects reflects the innovative and genre-bending approach taking over African music. Also, TG Omori’s work on Kizz Daniel & Davido’s ‘Twe Twe’ and Director Folex’s video for Zuchu’s ‘Nani’ (Remix) highlight the evolving visual language of African pop.

The Best DJ category sees South Africa’s Tyler ICU, Uncle Waffles, and DJ Maphorisa battling for dominance, while Nigerian DJs DJ Tunez, DJ Neptune, and DJ Spinall also look set to claim the title. In Best Hip Hop Artist, South Africa’s Nasty C faces stiff competition from Ivory Coast’s Didi B and Odumodublvck of Nigeria, along with Ghana’s Sarkodie and Tanzania’s Young Lunya, in what promises to be a thrilling race.

The Best Global African Artist category is a true reflection of the continent’s international reach, with Tyla, Burna Boy, Asake, and Rema leading the nominations. In the Best Male Artist category, Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Diamond Platnumz are up against Ghana’s Stonebwoy and South Africa’s Dlala Thukzin, while Tyla and Makhadzi are strongly represented in the Best Female Artist category alongside Ayra Starr and Tems.

The regional categories spotlight some of the best and brightest from Africa’s sub-regions. From East Africa’s Diamond Platnumz and Zuchu to West Africa’s Seyi Vibez and Adekunle Gold, Southern Africa’s Titom & Yuppe and Tyla, and Francophone Africa’s Didi B and Josey, the Trace Awards paint a comprehensive picture of the diversity and richness of African music.

Fans across the world are invited to participate by voting for their favourite artists here from 2 January 2025.

Below is the full list of nominees:

Global Awards

Song of the Year

• Tyla – ‘Jump’ (South Africa)
• Tyler ICU – ‘Mnike’ (South Africa)
• Titom & Yuppe – ‘Tshwala Bam’ (South Africa)
• Tamsir x Team Paiya – ‘Coup du Marteau’ (Ivory Coast)
• Asake & Travis Scott – ‘Active’ (Nigeria)
• Tems – ‘Love Me Jeje’ (Nigeria)
• Burna Boy – ‘Higher’ (Nigeria)
• Rema & Shallipopi – ‘Benin Boys’ (Nigeria)
• Diamond Platnumz – ‘Komasawa’ (Tanzania)

Album of the Year

• Burna Boy – I Told Them (Nigeria)
• Asake – Lungu Boy (Nigeria)
• Rema – Heis (Nigeria)
• Josey – Vibration Universelle (Ivory Coast)
• Amaarae – Fountain Baby (Ghana)
• King Promise – True To Self (Ghana)
• Stonebwoy – 5th Dimension (Ghana)
• Toofan – Stamina (Togo)

Best Collaboration

• Titom & Yuppe & Burna Boy – ‘Tshwala Bam’ (Remix) (South Africa/Nigeria)
• Neyna & MC Acondize – ‘Nu Ka Sta Para’ (Cape Verde)
• Kocee ft. Patoranking – ‘Credit Alert’ (Cameroon/Nigeria)
• Asake & Wizkid – ‘MMS’ (Nigeria)
• Rema & Shallipopi – ‘Benin Boys’ (Nigeria)
• Odumodublvck & Black Sherif – ‘Woto Woto Seasoning’ (Ghana)
• Tamsir & Team Paiya – ‘Coup du Marteau’ (Ivory Coast)

Best Music Video

• Meji Alabi – Rema ‘DND’ (Nigeria)
• TG Omori – Kizz Daniel & Davido ‘Twe Twe’ (Nigeria)
• Director Folex – Zuchu feat Innoss’ B ‘Nani’ (Remix) (Tanzania/DRC)
• Nabil Elderkin – Tyla ‘Jump’ (South Africa)
• Kmane – Ayra Starr ‘Commas’ (Nigeria)
• Seoute Emmanuel – Toofan ‘C Pas Normal’ (Togo)
• Ach’B – Innoss’ B ‘Sete’ (DRC)
• Edgar Esteves – Asake & Wizkid ‘MMS’ (Nigeria)

Best Dancer

• Ikorodu Boys (Nigeria)
• Dancegod Lloyd (Ghana)
• Incredible Zigi (Ghana)
• Kamo Mphela (South Africa)
• Telminho (Angola)
• Makhadzi (South Africa)
• Ordinateur (Ivory Coast)
• Issac Kalonji (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Best DJ

• Tyler ICU – ‘Mnike’ (South Africa)
• Uncle Waffles – ‘Wadibusa’ (South Africa)
• DJ Tunez – ‘Apala Disco Remix’ (Nigeria)
• DJ Nelasta – ‘Eros’ (Angola)
• DJ Spinall ft. Tyla & Omah Lay – ‘One Call’ (Nigeria)
• DJ Neptune ft. Qing Madi – ‘Honest’ (Nigeria)
• DJ Moh Green – ‘Kelele’ (Algeria)
• DJ Maphorisa – ‘Mnike’ (South Africa)
• Kabza De Small – ‘Imithandazo’ (South Africa)

Best Hip Hop Artist (sponsored by Hot 97)

• Nasty C (South Africa), Didi B (Ivory Coast)
• Odumodublvck (Nigeria), Suspect 95 (Ivory Coast)
• Sarkodie (Ghana)
• Young Lunya (Tanzania)
• Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa)

Pan-African Awards

Best Global African Artist

• Tyla (South Africa)
• Tyler ICU (South Africa)
• Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo)
• Burna Boy (Nigeria)
• Asake (Nigeria/USA)
• Rema (Nigeria)
• Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
• Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

Best Male Artist

• Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
• Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo)
• Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
• Asake (Nigeria)
• Burna Boy (Nigeria)
• Rema (Nigeria)
• Wizkid (Nigeria)
• Stonebwoy (Ghana)

Best Female Artist

• Tyla (South Africa)
• Makhadzi (South Africa)
• Chelsea Dinorath (Angola)
• Josey (Ivory Coast)
• Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
• Tems (Nigeria)
• Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

Best Newcomer (sponsored by Johnnie Walker)

• Nkosazana Daughter (South Africa)
• Himra (Ivory Coast)
• Sabrina (Cameroon)
• Mia Guissé (Senegal)
• Shallipopi (Nigeria)
• Qing Madi (Nigeria)
• Abigail Chams (Tanzania)

Best Live Performance

• Fally Ipupa (DRC)
• Ayra Starr – 21: The World Tour (Nigeria)
• Burna Boy – I Told Them (Nigeria)
• Tyla (South Africa)
• Yemi Alade – African Rebel Tour (Nigeria)
• Didi B – Mojo Trone Tour (Ivory Coast)
• Diamond Platnumz – Wasafi Festival (Tanzania)

Best Producer

• Kelvin Momo – ‘Sewe’ (South Africa)
• P.Priime – ‘MMS’ (Nigeria)
• DJ Maphorisa – ‘Mnike’ (South Africa)
• Tam Sir – ‘Coup du Marteau’ (Ivory Coast)
• Sarz – ‘Happiness’ (Nigeria)
• Jae 5 – ‘Perfect Combi’ (Ghana)
• KDDO – ‘For Certain’ (Party Next Door) (Nigeria)
• London – ‘Ozeba’ (Nigeria)
• Kabza De Small – ‘Imithandazo’ (South Africa)

Best Gospel Artist

• Spirit of Praise 10 (South Africa)
• KS Bloom (Ivory Coast)
• Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)
• Ada Ehi (Nigeria)
• Bella Kombo (Tanzania)
• Israël Mbonyi (Rwanda)

Regional Awards

Best Artist Eastern Africa

• Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
• Bien (Kenya)
• Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
• Harmonize (Tanzania)
• Rophnan (Ethiopia)
• Marioo (Tanzania)
• Zuchu (Tanzania)
• Nandy (Tanzania)

Best Artist (Western Africa Anglophone)

• Seyi Vibez (Nigeria)
• Adekunle Gold (Nigeria)
• Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
• Tems (Nigeria)
• Chike (Nigeria)
• Simi (Nigeria)
• KiDi (Ghana)

Best Artist (Southern Africa)

• Titom & Yuppe (South Africa)
• De Mthuda (South Africa)
• Inkabi Zezwe (South Africa)
• Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
• Tyla (South Africa)
• Uncle Waffles (South Africa)
• Tyler ICU (South Africa)

Best Artist Francophone Africa

• Didi B (Ivory Coast)
• Josey (Ivory Coast)
• Tidiane Mario (Congo)
• Gaz Mawete (Democratic Republic of Congo)
• Wally B. Seck (Senegal)
• PhillBill (Cameroon)

Best Artist (Lusophone Africa)

• Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe)
• Landrick (Angola)
• Chelsea Dinorath (Angola)
• Twenty Fingers (Mozambique)
• Mr. Bow (Mozambique)
• Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)

Best Artist (Tanzania)

• Mbosso (Zanzibar)
• Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
• Zuchu (Zanzibar)
• Marioo (Tanzania)
• Nandy (Tanzania)
• Alikiba (Tanzania)
• Jux (Tanzania)
• Harmonize (Tanzania)

International and Diaspora Awards

Best Artist (Europe)

• Central Cee (United Kingdom)
• Kalash (France/Martinique)
• Darkoo (United Kingdom)
• Joe Dwet File (France/Haiti)
• Jungeli (France)
• Franglish (France)
• Aya Nakamura (France/Mali)

Best Artist (Brazil)

• Racionais MC’s (Brazil)
• MC IG (Brazil)
• Péricles (Brazil)
• Tasha & Tracie (Brazil)
• Ludmilla (Brazil)
• Duquesa (Brazil)

Best Artist (Caribbean)

• Venssy (French Guiana)
• Mathieu White (Guadeloupe)
• Meryl (Martinique)
• Nesly (French Guiana)
• Shenseea (Jamaica)
• Kenny Haiti (Haiti)

Best Artist (Indian Ocean)

• Barth (Reunion)
• Goulam (Comoros)
• PLL (Reunion)
• Kalipsxau (Reunion)
• Léa Churros (Reunion)
• Jamily Jeanne (Mauritius)