Zanzibar, Tanzania • 30 December 2024 – The Trace Awards & Summit 2025, the most prestigious musical event on the African continent, is set to electrify Zanzibar. The Trace Awards ceremony, taking place on the 26th February 2025, will bring together the continent’s and diaspora’s greatest talents. Trace invites fans worldwide to actively participate by voting for their favourite artists.
Voting officially opens on the 2nd January 2025 ➡ www.traceawards.plus.
Music fans, it’s your time to act! Your vote accounts for 50% of the final decision and can make the difference in choosing the winners. The other half results from the votes of an expert jury.
A Celebration of African Musical Diversity
Africa is home to many musical styles that profoundly influence contemporary sounds worldwide.
The Trace Awards highlight the richness and excellence of Afro music through genres such as Afrobeat, dancehall, hip-hop, Afro-pop, mbalax, amapiano, zouk, kizomba, genge, coupé-décalé, bongo flava, soukous, gospel, rap, raï, kompa, RnB, and rumba. Artists from over 30 countries in Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, and Europe are competing in 24 categories.
Why Vote?
The Trace Awards are more than just an event; they are a platform dedicated to recognising artists who shape the future of African and international music. By voting, fans have the opportunity to amplify the voices of their favorite artists both on the continent and internationally and support works that reflect their identity and cultural pride.
Voting closes on 15th February 2025. (Voting is free, accessible to all, and fully compliant with RGPD regulations)
TRACE AWARDS 2025 NOMINEES
GLOBAL AWARDS
Song of the Year
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 Elderkin for Tyla “Jump” (South Africa)
Kmane for Ayra Starr “Commas” (Nigeria)
Seoute Emmanuel for Toofan “C Pas Normal” (Togo)
Ach’B for Innoss’ B “Sete” (DRC)
Edgar Esteves for Asake & Wizkid “MMS” (Nigeria).
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 – 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 Zezwe (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)
Chelsea 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)
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.
ABOUT TRACE: Trace is a leading multimedia and digital platform dedicated to Afro-Urban music and cultures, as well as to the success of young people and artists. Trace regularly engages 350 million fans in 190 countries through multiple entertainment and empowerment platforms.
More info at www.trace.plus | Download the free Trace+ app on the App Store and Google Play.
ABOUT JOHNNIE WALKER: Johnnie Walker is the world’s number 1 Scotch Whisky brand* (IWSR 2023) & the world’s number one International Spirits Brand* (IWSR 2023 Relative Market Share), enjoyed by people in over 180 countries around the world. Since the time of its founder, John Walker, those who blend its whiskies have pursued flavour and quality above all else. Today’s range of award-winning whiskies includes Johnnie Walker Red Label, Blonde, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Aged 18 Years, and Blue Label. Together they account for over 22 million cases sold annually (IWSR, 2023). Johnnie Walker is also the number one best-selling Scotch and number one trending Scotch (Drinks International, 2024),
ABOUT DIAGEO: Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff and Cîroc vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
ABOUT TANZANIA & ZANZIBAR: Tanzania, home to the stunning Zanzibar archipelago, is a land rich in cultural and natural diversity. As the gateway to some of Africa’s most iconic landscapes, from the Serengeti to Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania offers a unique blend of adventure, history, and breathtaking beauty. Zanzibar, its crown jewel, combines this natural splendor with a vibrant cultural heritage, influenced by African, Arab, and European traditions. Together, Zanzibar and Tanzania offer visitors an unforgettable experience where music, nature, and culture converge on a global stage.
ABOUT THE MORA RESORT ZANZIBAR: The Mora Zanzibar, a flagship brand of TUI Hotels & Resorts’ premier leisure portfolio, is situated on the stunning shores of Muyuni Beach, providing an exceptional fusion of laid-back luxury and contemporary elegance. Featuring 250 beautifully designed suites, The Mora offers the perfect blend of modern amenities and cozy, refined ambiance, creating a haven for effortless relaxation. The Mora Zanzibar seamlessly merges world-class hospitality with Zanzibar’s natural beauty, providing an unforgettable backdrop for the prestigious Trace Awards and Summit, a celebration of African music and culture.