The glittering shores of Zanzibar hosted a dazzling celebration of African music on Wednesday, February 26th, as the 2025 Trace Awards illuminated the night sky at the luxurious Mora Resort. This star-studded extravaganza gathered the crème de la crème of the continent's musical talent, featuring artists from over 30 countries competing for glory across 24 electrifying categories.
The night belonged to Nigeria's golden boy, Rema, who set the stage ablaze with not one, but two major wins! The "Calm Down" hitmaker scooped up the coveted Album of the Year for his masterpiece "Heis" and clinched the Best Male Artist title, proving he's not just a rising star, but a supernova in his own right.
South African duo Titom and Yuppe had the crowd going wild as they claimed Song of the Year for their infectious banger, "Tshwala Bam." This track not only topped the charts but also sparked a global dance craze, with fans from Lagos to London moving to its irresistible beat.
The Trace Awards celebrated Africa's diverse musical landscape, crowning champions across genres and regions:
Pan-African Powerhouses:
- Best Global African Artist: Tanzania's Diamond Platnumz
- Best Female Artist: South Africa's Tyla
- Best Live Performance: DRC's Fally Ipupa
Regional Royalty:
- Best Artist Francophone Africa: Ivory Coast's Josey
- Best Artist Lusophone Africa: Angola's Chelsea Dinorath
- Best East African Artist: Kenya's Bien (of Sauti Sol fame)
- Best West African Artist: Nigeria's Ayra Starr
Genre Giants:
- Best Hip Hop Artist: Ivory Coast's Didi B
- Best Gospel Artist: Nigeria's Mercy Chinwo
- Best DJ: Algeria's DJ Moh Green
Behind the Scenes Brilliance
The wizards working their magic behind the curtain got their well-deserved spotlight:
- Best Producer: Nigeria's P.Priime for "MMS"
- Best Music Video: Meji Alabi for Rema's "DND"
- Best Dancer: South Africa's Makhadzi
A Night to Remember
The 2025 Trace Awards wasn't just a ceremony; it was a pulsating showcase of African talent that had viewers in 200 countries glued to their screens. From Afrobeats to Amapiano, the event proved that African music isn't just crossing borders – it's erasing them.
As the final notes faded and the last trophy was handed out, one thing was crystal clear: African music isn't just having a moment; it's creating a movement. And if this night was any indication, the continent's rhythms will be setting the global beat for years to come.
Full List of Winners:
Global Awards:
- Song of the Year: Titom & Yuppe – "Tshwala Bam" (South Africa)
- Album of the Year: Rema – "Heis" (Nigeria)
- Best Collaboration: Tamsir & Team Paiya – "Coup du Marteau" (Ivory Coast)
Pan-African Awards:
- Best Global African Artist: Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Best Male Artist: Rema (Nigeria)
- Best Female Artist: Tyla (South Africa)
- Best Live Performance: Fally Ipupa (DRC)
Regional Awards:
- Best Artist Francophone Africa: Josey (Ivory Coast)
- Best Artist Lusophone Africa: Chelsea Dinorath (Angola)
- Best East African Artist: Bien (Kenya)
- Best West African Artist: Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Genre Awards:
- Best Hip Hop Artist: Didi B (Ivory Coast)
- Best Gospel Artist: Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)
Technical Awards:
- Best Producer: P.Priime – "MMS" (Nigeria)
- Best Music Video: Meji Alabi for Rema's "DND"
- Best Dancer: Makhadzi (South Africa)
- Best DJ: DJ Moh Green – "Kelele" (Algeria)
Special Recognition:
Lifetime Achievement Award: D'banj (Nigeria)
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