Zanzibar, Tanzania January 2025– The highly anticipated Trace Awards will take place on 26 February 2025, bringing together some of the most outstanding musical talents from across Africa, the diaspora, and beyond. With the event just around the corner, Trace invites fans from all corners of the globe to participate in the voting process, shaping the fate of the continent’s most influential artists.
Fans now have the chance to cast their votes at www.traceawards.plus, with voting officially open until 15 February 2025. Public votes will account for 50% of the final outcome, giving supporters a powerful voice in determining the winners. The remaining 50% will be determined by an esteemed panel of entertainment industry professionals. This unique voting system ensures that both fan enthusiasm and expert opinion contribute equally to recognizing the best in Afro music.
The Trace Awards celebrate the diversity and excellence of Afro music, honoring artists from over 30 countries across Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, and Europe. This year’s event will spotlight 24 exciting categories, covering genres like Afrobeat, Amapiano, Bongo Flava, Dancehall, Hip-Hop, Gospel, Zouk, and many more. Each category highlights the vibrant rhythms and cultural richness that define the global Afro music scene.
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This year’s awards promise to be especially thrilling, with South African sensation Tyla among the top nominees. Tyla, known for her chart-topping hits, is up for several prestigious categories, further cementing her place as a leading figure in Afro music. Her rise to international prominence has captured the hearts of fans everywhere, and now they have the chance to support her through the public voting process.
Why should you vote? Aside from helping your favorite artists gain well-deserved recognition, voting also enters you into a thrilling chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Zanzibar for the awards ceremony. Two lucky voters will be randomly selected for this unforgettable experience, making it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for music lovers.
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With the countdown to the Trace Awards already underway, fans and music enthusiasts are urged to participate in the voting process and show their support for the artists who have shaped the soundtrack of Africa and beyond. Voting is simple, impactful, and could very well lead you to Zanzibar this February.
TRACE AWARDS 2025 NOMINEES
GLOBAL AWARDS
Song of the Year (sponsored by Johnnie Walker)
Tyla – Jump (South Africa)
Tyler ICU – Mnike (South Africa)
Titom & Yuppe – Tshwala Bam (South Africa)
Tamsir x Team Paiya – Coup du Marteau (Ivory Coast)
Asake & Travis Scott – Active (Nigeria)
Tems – Love me Jeje (Nigeria)
Burna Boy – Higher (Nigeria)
Rema & Shallipopi – Benin Boys (Nigeria)
Diamond Platnumz – Komasawa (Tanzania)
Album of the Year
Burna Boy – I Told Them (Nigeria)
Asake – Lungu Boy (Nigeria)
Rema – Heis (Nigeria)
Josey – Vibration Universelle (Ivory Coast)
Amaarae – Fountain Baby (Ghana)
King Promise – True To Self (Ghana)
Stonebwoy – 5th Dimension (Ghana)
Toofan – Stamina (Togo)
Best Collaboration
Titom & Yuppe & Burna Boy – Tshwala Bam (Remix) (South Africa/Nigeria)
Neyna & MC Acondize – Nu Ka Sta Para (Cape Verde)
Kocee ft. Patoranking – Credit Alert (Cameroon/Nigeria)
Asake & Wizkid – MMS (Nigeria)
Rema & Shallipopi – Benin Boys (Nigeria)
Odumodublvck & Black Sherif – Woto Woto Seasoning (Ghana)
Tamsir & Team Paiya – Coup du Marteau (Ivory Coast)
Best Music Video
Meji Alabi for Rema “DND” (Nigeria)
TG Omori for Kizz Daniel & Davido “Twe Twe” (Nigeria)
Director folex for Zuchu feat Innoss’ B “Nani” (Remix) (Tanzania/DRC)
Nabil Elderking for Tyla “Jump” (South Africa)
Mikey Oshai for Ayra Starr “Commas” (Nigeria)
Seoute Emmanuel for Toofan “C Pas Normal” (Togo)
Ach’B for Innoss’ B “Sete” (DRC)
Edgar Esteve for Asake & Wizkid “MMS” (Nigeria)
Kmame for Titom & Yuppe “Tshwala Bam” (South Africa)
Best Dancer
Ikorodu Boys (Nigeria)
Dancegod Lloyd (Ghana)
Incredible Zigi (Ghana)
Kamo Mphela (South Africa)
Telminho (Angola)
Makhadzi (South Africa)
Ordinateur (Ivory Coast)
Issac Kalonji (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Best DJ
Tyler ICU – Mnike (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles – Wadibusa (South Africa)
DJ Tunez – Apala Disco Remix (Nigeria)
DJ Nelasta – Eros (Angola)
DJ Spinall ft. Tyla & Omah Lay – One Call (Nigeria)
DJ Neptune ft. Qing Madi – Honest (Nigeria)
DJ Moh Green – Kelele (Algeria)
DJ Maphorisa – Mnike (South Africa)
Kabza De Small – Imithandazo (South Africa)
Best Hip-Hop Artist (sponsored by Hot 97)
Nasty C (South Africa)
Didi B (Ivory Coast)
Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
Suspect 95 (Ivory Coast
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Young Lunya (Tanzania)
Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa)
PAN – AFRICAN AWARDS
Best Global African Artist
Tyla (South Africa)
Tyler ICU (South Africa)
Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Asake (Nigeria/USA)
Rema (Nigeria)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Best Male Artist
Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Asake (Nigeria)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Rema (Nigeria)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Stonebwoy (Ghana)
Best Female Artist
Tyla (South Africa)
Makhadzi (South Africa)
Chelsea Dinorath (Angola)
Josey (Ivory Coast)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Tems (Nigeria)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
Best Newcomer (sponsored by Johnnie Walker)
Nkosazana Daughter (South Africa)
Himra (Ivory Coast)
Sabrina (Cameroon)
Mia Guissé (Senegal)
Shallipopi (Nigeria)
Qing Madi (Nigeria)
Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
Best Live Performance
Fally Ipupa (DRC)
Ayra Starr – 21: The World Tour (Nigeria)
Burna Boy – I Told Them (Nigeria)
Tyla (South Africa)
Yemi Alade – African Rebel Tour (Nigeria)
Didi B – Mojo Trone Tour (Ivory Coast)
Diamond Platnumz – Wasafi Festival (Tanzania)
Best Producer
Kelvin Momo – Sewe(South Africa)
P.Priime – MMS(Nigeria)
DJ Maphorisa – Mnike (South Africa)
Tam Sir – Coup du Marteau (Ivory Coast)
Sarz – Happiness (Nigeria)
Jae 5 – Perfect Combi (Ghana)
KDDO f For Certain (Party Next Door) (Nigeria)
London – Ozeba (Nigeria)
Kabza De Small – Imithandazo (South Africa)
Best Gospel Artist
Spirit of Praise 10 (South Africa)
KS Bloom (Ivory Coast)
Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)
Ada Ehi (Nigeria)
Bella Kombo (Tanzania)
Israël Mbonyi (Rwanda)
REGIONAL AWARDS
Best Artist – Eastern Africa
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Bien (Kenya)
Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
Harmonize (Tanzania)
Rophnan (Ethiopia)
Marioo (Tanzania)
Zuchu (Tanzania)
Nandy (Tanzania)
Best Artist Western Africa Anglophone
Seyi Vibez (Nigeria)
Adekunle Gold (Nigeria)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Tems (Nigeria)
Chike (Nigeria)
Simi (Nigeria)
KiDi (Ghana)
Best Artist – Southern Africa
Titom & Yuppe (South Africa)
De Mthuda (South Africa)
Inkabi Zezewe (South Africa)
Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
Tyla (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles (South Africa)
Tyler ICU (South Africa)
Best Artist Francophone Africa
Didi B (Ivory Coast)
Josey (Ivory Coast)
Tidiane Mario (Congo)
Gaz Mawete (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Wally B. Seck (Senegal)
PhillBill (Cameroon)
Best Artist Lusophone Africa
Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe)
Landrick (Angola)
Chelseaa Dinorath (Angola)
Twenty Fingers (Mozambique)
Mr Bow (Mozambique)
Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
Best Artist – Tanzania
Mbosso (Zanzibar)
Diamond Platnumz(Tanzania)
Zuchu (Zanzibar)
Marioo (Tanzania)
Nandy(Tanzania)
Alikiba(Tanzania)
Jux (Tanzania)
Harmonize (Tanzania)
INTERNATIONAL AND DIASPORA AWARDS
Best Artist – Europe
Central Cee (United Kingdom)
Kalash (France/Martinique)
Darkoo (United Kingdom)
Joe Dwet File (France/Haiti)
Jungeli (France)
Franglish (France)
Aya Nakamura (France/Mali)
Best Artist – Brazil
Racionais MC’s (Brazil)
MC IG (Brazil)
Péricles (Brazil)
Tasha & Tracie (Brazil)
Ludmilla (Brazil)
Duquesa (Brazil)
Best Artist – Caribbean
Venssy (French Guiana)
Mathieu White (Guadeloupe)
Meryl (Martinique)
Nesly (French Guiana)
Shenseea (Jamaica)
Kenny Haiti (Haiti)
Krys (Guadeloupe)
Best Artist
Indian Ocean: Barth (Reunion)
Goulam (Comoros)
PLL (Reunion)
Kalipsxau (Reunion)
Léa Churros (Reunion)
Jamily Jeanne (Mauritius)
To join in the conversation about the Trace Awards & Summit, use the hashtags: #TraceAwardsZanzibar and #TraceSummitZanzibar.
Follow Trace on Facebook and Instagram @traceawards, YouTube @TraceMusicOfficiel.
