The African Music Magazine Awards is an annual awards event that was established by the International Committee AFRIMMA, to reward and celebrate musical works, talents, and creativity around the African continent. This is in a bid to promote the African cultural heritage. The awards consist of 37 prizes of two categories: region-based awards (covering the five African regions) overseeing the achievements of African artistes within their specific regions of origin, and the genre-based continental awards.
Unlike other editions of the annual awards event, the 2020 edition of AFRIMMA went virtual and was broadcasted live on the YouTube page of AFRIMMA from Dallas. Speaking on the challenges of going virtual, Anderson Obiagwu, founder/CEO of AFRIMMA stated:
‘There were initial doubts about pulling this off, but seeing we pulled this off today fills me with so much joy and I want to express my appreciation to our sponsors, the AFRIMMA team, the artists, dancers, video editors, and everybody that played a part in making history today.’
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The event had exciting performances from outstanding personalities which include amongst others: Fally Ipupa, Rema, Soraia Ramos, Eddy Kenzo, Gaz Mawete, Nadia Nakai, and Master KG. Master KG was the biggest winner of the night. 2020 was no doubt a major breakthrough for the talented South African producer. His hit song ‘Jerusalema’ has surpassed records from getting certified platinum in Italy to becoming the most “Shazamed” song in the world. The remix with Nigeria’s Burna Boy has been regarded as a conciliatory move following the laidback animosity between the two countries in the last few years. Speaking on the purpose of collaborating on the song, Burna Boy states, “My hope is that it unites us through our divisions and misunderstandings and dance together. We are not in competition, we are one Africa, we are united.” Master KG won awards for the categories: Artist of The Year, Song of The Year, Best Male Southern Africa, and Best Collaboration.
Nigerians won categories for Best Male West Africa (Rema), Best Female West Africa (Simi), Best Gospel Artiste (Mercy Chinwo), Crossing Boundaries with Music (Burna Boy), Best Video Director (TG Omori), Best Dj Africa (Dj Cuppy), Best African Dancer (Poco Lee), Best Live Act (Flavour), and Best African Group (Umu Ibiligbo). Other winners include: Best Male Rap Act (Nasty C), Best Female Rap Act (Eno Barony), Best Male East Africa (Diamond Platnumz), Best Female East Africa (Nandy), Best Male Central Africa (Fally Ipupa), etc.
Nelson Okoh
Photo Credit: Music-in-Africa