Wizkid, Flavour, Others Win Big At AFRIMA 2016

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

The year 2016 has been phenomenal for Nigeria’s Afro-pop star Wizkid with strings of awards and recognition.

In the same week that he clinched ‘Best African Act’ at the just concluded Music of Black Origin, MOBO Awards in London, followed by the awards for ‘Worldwide Act’ and ‘Best African Act’ at the just concluded MTV EMAs held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, the StarBoy Records frontman has clinched another bigger one, Artiste of The Year at the 2016 edition of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA.

Wizkid, who was unavoidably absent at the glamorous event held Sunday night at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos, beat other very talented artistes from various African countries including compatriots Tiwa Savage and Tekno; Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz, Ghana’s Sarkodie; Uganda’s Navio & Eddy Kenzo and South Africa’s Black Coffee.

Olisa Adibua, Nigerian top On-Air-Personality picked the award for Wizkid.

The night also saw rapper and actor Falz emerge AFRIMA 2016 Revelation of the year, Diamond Platnumz winning Song of the year with Utanipenda; Phyno winning African Fans Favorite award with Fada Fada and Aramide emerging the Best Female West Africa.

Nigeria’s Flavour Nabania scooped two awards: the Best Artiste/Duo/Group/Band in African Contemporary and Best Male West Africa.

Nigeria’s Juju music legend, King Sunny Ade received a Special Recognition Award. Also honoured with the Special Recognition Award is Camerounian-born International Jazzist Manu Dibango. The duo got a rousing ovation from the distinguished guests that included Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; his wife, Bolanle; Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule; Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Presidential Adviser on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu and Senator Olamilekan Yayi among other dignitaries.

In its third edition, this year’s event started with the AFRIMA 2016 Music Business Round-Table on Friday 4 November and followed with the AFRIMA Music Village later same day. The Music Village was a non-stop music concert with over 30 African artistes performing live at the Waterfront, Bar Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos in Nigeria.

But the main award night was laced with great musical performances from other great artistes from across the continent.

The Full Award Winners’ List:

1. Best Male East Africa – Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
2. Best Female East Africa – Cindy Sanyu (Uganda)
3. Best Male South Africa – Black Coffee (South Africa)
4. Best female South Africa – Sally Boss Madam (Namibia)
5. Best Male Central Africa- Wax Dey (Cameroon)
6. Best Female Central Africa- Bruna Tatiana (Angola)
7. Best Male North Africa – DJ Van (Morocco)
8. Best Female North Africa- Zina Daoudia (Morocco)
9. Best Male West Africa – Flavour (Nigeria)
10. Best Female West Africa – Aramide (Nigeria)
11. Best Inspirational Female – Naomi Achu (Cameroon)
12. Best Artiste/Duo/GroupBand in African Contemporary- Flavour (Nigeria)
13. Most Promising Artiste- Amine Aub (Morocco)
14. African Fans Favorite – Phyno (Nigeria)
15. Song writer of the year – Unique (Uganda)
16. Special Recognition Award- King Sunny Ade (Nigeria)
17. Best Artist/Duo/Group African Hiphop- Stanley Enow (Cameroon)
18. Best Artist/Duo/Group African Ragga & Dancehall- Patoranking (Nigeria)
19. Best Artist/Duo/Group African Traditional music- Zeynab (Benin)
20. Best Artist/Duo/Group African Electro -Such (Zimbabwe)
21. Best Artist/Duo/Group African RnB – Henok & Mehari Brothers (Ethiopia)
22. Best Artist/Duo/Group in African Rock -M’vula (Angola)
23. Best African Jazz – Jimmy Dludlu (South Africa)
24. Best African Group -VVIP (Ghana)
25. Best African Collaboration – Mbilo Mbilo by Eddy Kenzo (Uganda) ft Niniola (Nigeria)
26. Video of the Year – Dogo Yaro by VVIP (Ghana)
27. Revelation of the year – Falz (Nigeria)
28. Album of the year – Ahmed Soultan (Morocco)
29. Song of the year- Utanipenda Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
30. Artist of the Year -Wizkid (Nigeria)