African musicians awarded in Senegal at annual ceremony

DAKAR, Senegal — (AP) — Africa’s star musicians hit the purple carpet this previous weekend on the annual All Africa Music Awards, celebrating the continent’s greatest expertise.

The four-day occasion culminated Sunday night at an awards ceremony on the outskirts of Senegal’s capital, Dakar, and included performances from a few of Africa’s hottest musicians equivalent to Nigeria’s P-Sq. and Tiwa Savage, Mali’s Rokia Kone and Senegalese singers, Youssou N’dour and Baaba Maal.

Ivorian singer Didi B received greatest tune of the 12 months for his rap tune “Tala.” Ascending the stage in entrance of a boisterous viewers, he thanked his colleagues and mentioned it was his first award of the 12 months.

“I dedicate it to my mom and my followers,” the Ivorian rapper, singer and songwriter mentioned.

“Tala” — Ivorian slang used to explain a sort of dance — has been watched almost 6.5 million occasions in seven months on YouTube and is performed in nightclubs throughout the continent.

This was the eighth version of AFRIMA and the primary to be held in a French-speaking nation. Nigeria has hosted many of the occasions, together with the final one in Lagos metropolis in 2021, the place Malian singer, Ibrahim Mahamadou Fily Sissoko, referred to as Iba One, clinched greatest album. This 12 months, One, took house greatest songwriter.

Different well-known singers additionally collected awards Sunday, together with Nigerian Afrobeat star Burna Boy, who received the Greatest Act in Africa award. One other Nigerian, Asake, received breakout artist of the 12 months and Wizkid received the Greatest Act in West Africa award.

AFRIMA goals to attach African musicians to world markets whereas embracing the continent’s cultural variety and heritage, organizers say.

“That is such an thrilling second in African music and we’re happy with the way in which these artistes have been capable of cross over to a number of markets each on the house entrance and even globally,” mentioned Mike Dada, govt director for the occasion.

Greater than 9,000 entries had been submitted for this 12 months’s contest, the best since its inception in 2014. The winners beat out greater than 380 entries in 39 classes representing 5 areas in Africa in addition to the diaspora.

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