LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigerian artists stole the spotlight at the 9th All Africa Music Awards (Afrima), held in Lagos on Sunday night, underscoring the country’s dominance in the continental music scene and the global rise of Afrobeats.
Major Wins for Nigerian Heavyweights
- Burna Boy clinched Album of the Year for No Sign of Weakness (July 2025). He also shared Best African Collaboration with Shallipopi, who separately won Song of the Year for his viral hit Laho.
- Rema led the tally with three awards: Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, and Best African Artiste in RnB and Soul.
- Yemi Alade won Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary for You Are from the animated series Iyanu.
- Phyno, a veteran rapper, was named Best African Artiste in Hip‑Hop.
Rising Talent
- Qing Madi was crowned Most Promising Artiste of the Year.
- Chella earned African Fans’ Favourite, highlighting the growing influence of fan‑driven recognition.
Continental Representation
While Nigerian stars dominated, Afrima also spotlighted talent across Africa:
- Senegal’s Bakhaw Dioum — Songwriter of the Year.
- Algeria’s DJ Moh Green — DJ of the Year.
- Ghana’s Wendy Shay — Best Female Artiste in West Africa.
- South Africa’s Nontokozo Mkhize — Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa.
- Tanzania’s Juma Jux — Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa.
Afrobeats on the Global Stage
The awards reaffirmed Nigeria’s role as the epicenter of Afrobeats, a genre blending African rhythms with Western influences. With Burna Boy, Rema, and Shallipopi leading the charge, the sound continues to captivate audiences worldwide, cementing its place as Africa’s most influential cultural export.