The eighth edition of the All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) — tagged the Teranga Edition — will be held in Dakar, Senegal, from January 12th through the 15th, 2023.
In the past, Ghana and Nigeria have been the primary hosts for the event, but this is the first time a Francophone country will host the event. AFRIMA is an annual awards event that was established to highlight African talent, music, and creativity worldwide, while also sharing the African cultural heritage. In anticipation of the event, the President of the Republic of Senegal, His Excellency President Macky Sall, hosted AFRIMA’s Executive President, Mr. Mike Dada, at his official residence. The Senegalese leader set up the meeting to assure Sall and his entire team at AFRIMA of the country’s support of the event.
In a press release, Sall expressed that AFRIMA was about empowering African youth to aspire for the future.
“The present and future of Africa, particularly Senegal in this case, is very important to our government, and the youths represent that future. AFRIMA speaks to the empowerment and engagement of young people in the creative economy as well as the celebration of our continent and the global promotion of our cities for tourism benefits, hence the support and partnership from the Republic of Senegal… I am very happy and honored to host the Teranga edition of the biggest music award in Africa, AFRIMA, right here in Senegal. The people of Senegal are excited about this historical feat, given that this is the first time the awards will be held in a Francophone country.”
Six Ugandan entertainers populated the list of nominees cutting across the entertainment turf – radio, visual production and singing.
One time BET Award Eddy Kenzo has more or less become a permanent fixture in regards to the awards. He has scored a nomination in the Best Male Artiste East Africa category. The “Tubaale” singer will battle it out with neighbours John Frog (South Sudan), Khaligraph Jones (Kenya), Diamond Platinumz (TZ), Rayvanny (TZ), Otile Brown (Kenya), Meddy (Rwanda), Sat B (Burundi).
The Best Female Artiste category, East Africa has two Ugandan songbirds – Sheebah Karungi & Winnie Nwagi. Not far off a drift given last year, Sheebah was in the same category with another Swangz Avenue artiste, Vinka. Sheebah and Nwagi also have competition from neighbours Femi One (Kenya), Zuchu(Tanzania), Jovial (Kenya), Maua Sama (Tanzania), Sanaipei Tande(Kenya), Nandy (Tanzania).
Sasha Vybz returns as a nominee again following his nomination in 2021. He is in the same category as last year, Best Video Director, and will be battling it out with Anurin Nwunebom (Cameroon), Enos Olik (Kenya), TG Omori(Nigeria), Rex (Ghana), Hanscana(TZ), Patrick Elis (Nigeria), Dammy Twitch (Nigeria).
The Ghetto Kids also scored a nomination, replacing the Masaka Kids Africa who represented Uganda in 2021. The Ghetto Kids will be flexing for the award with eight other dancers/groups from across the continent.
Provocative and polarizing media personality, James Onen a.k.a Fatboy returns with another nomination this year following one last year. He has competition in Big Brother Naija host, (Nigeria), Konnie Toure (Ivory Coast), DJ Slim(Ghana), Do2tun(Nigeria), Afonso Quintas(Angola), Jamal Ghadafi (Kenya), Serwa Amihere(Ghana).
