The International Executive Committee of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), in conjunction with the African Union Commission, has released the official list of nominees for the 2022 edition. Culled from a total of 9,067 entries submitted – the highest number ever recorded by the awards since its inception – the AFRIMA jury selected 382 nominations across 39 categories to represent all five African diasporas. A 12-member panel of music experts and the AUC held a 10-day adjudication in July to select the best entries.
Leading the nominations on a regional basis this year is the Western African region, with 134 nominations, or 35%. While the Eastern African region follows closely with 69 nominations (18%), At 17.8%, the Southern African region races closely with 68 nominations. Central Africa has 52 nominations, 13.6%, while the Northern African region follows closely with 49 nominations, 12.8%. The Global music region, which represents music from non-Africans who contribute to the growth of the African region, sums up the list with 10 nominations, or 2.6%.
THE NOMINEES
Dominating the list with the most nominations this year is the South African maverick Costa Titch, with six nominations for his 2021 smash hit, Big Flexa. Congolese maestro, Dadju, ties with six nominations, while Ivorian rapper Didi B bagged five nominations. Award-winning artist Burna Boy scored 4 nominations for “Best Male Artiste in Western Africa,” “Song of the Year,” “Album of the Year,” and “Artiste of the Year”). Nigerian Fireboy scored five in “Best Male Artiste in Western Africa”; “Song of the Year”; “Producer of the Year”; “Artiste of the Year”; and “Best African Collaboration.
The other African superstars with four nominations are Zakes Bantwini (South Africa). He scored “Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa,”; “Best African DJ,”; “Artiste of the Year,”; and “Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Electro. Nomfundo Moh (South Africa) in “Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa”; “Album of the Year”; “Breakout Artiste of the Year”; and “Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African RnB/Soul.”
“The sheer breadth of music from all over the continent that we considered at the AFRIMA adjudication for this year’s awards is mind-blowing. It’s really encouraging to see so many African superstars on the list, as well as other rising stars who have had an amazing year, and, finally, a lot of brand new music(al) discoveries. The future is bright for the continent! “
– Southern African Jury Member: Adam Tiran
AFRIMA primarily stimulates conversations among Africans and the rest of the world. Especially on the potential of the creative arts for fostering real human enterprise, contributing significantly to social cohesion as well as sustainable development in Africa. The Programme of events is in line with the AU Agenda 2063, which outlines Aspiration 05 as the development of the arts and culture sector. This includes cultural and creative industries to boost the development of the African economy.
The public voting portal for the 2022 AFRIMA edition officially opened this past Sunday. Visit the official website at www.afrima.org to vote. Voting closes at 12.00 (CAT), December 10, 2022, before the AFRIMA main awards ceremony.
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