Kigali, Rwanda, October 21, 2023 – Nigerian artists Davido and Rema emerged as major winners at the 2023 Trace Awards held in Kigali, Rwanda, on Saturday. The awards ceremony recognized outstanding achievements in the African music industry. Rema secured two awards, including “Song of the Year” for his hit track “Calm Down” and “Best Global African Artiste,” sharing the latter with South African artist Nomcebo Zikode.
Davido received two awards, “Best Male” and “Best Collaboration.” Meanwhile, Burna Boy was honored with the “Album of the Year” award for his album “Love Damini.”
Here are the key winners from the 2023 Trace Awards:
Album of the Year:
- DNK – Aya Nakamura (France)
- Love Damini – Burna Boy (Nigeria) – Winner
- Maverick – Kizz Daniel (Nigeria)
- More Love, Less Ego – Wizkid (Nigeria)
- Timeless – Davido (Nigeria)
- Work of Art – Asake (Nigeria)
Song of the Year:
- “BKBN” – Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
- “People” – Libianca (Cameroon)
- “Suavemente” – Soolking (France)
- “Encre” – Emma’a (Gabon)
- “Sugarcane” – Camidoh (Ghana)
- “Last Last” – Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- “Rush” – Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
- “Calm Down” – Rema (Nigeria) – Winner
- “Peru” – Fireboy DML (Nigeria) with Ed Sheeran (U.K.)
- “Sete” – K.O. (South Africa)
- “Cough” – Kizz Daniel (Nigeria)
- “MORTEL 06” – Innoss’B (DRC)
Best Music Video:
- “2 Sugar” – Wizkid (Nigeria) feat. Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
- “Baddie” – Yemi Alade (Nigeria) – Winner
- “Kpaflotage” – Suspect 95 (Ivory Coast)
- “Loaded” – Tiwa Savage (Nigeria) & Asake (Nigeria)
- “Ronda” – Blxckie (South Africa)
- “Tombolo” – Kalash (Martinique)
- “Yatapita” – Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Best Male:
- Asake (Nigeria)
- Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Davido (Nigeria) – Winner
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Didi B (Ivory Coast)
- K.O. (South Africa)
- Rema (Nigeria)
Best Female:
- Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
- Josey (Ivory Coast)
- Nadia Mukami (Kenya)
- Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
- Tiwa Savage (Nigeria) – Winner
- Viviane Chidid (Senegal)
Best Collaboration:
- “Many Ways” – BNXN (Nigeria) with Wizkid (Nigeria)
- “Mine” – Show Dem Camp (Nigeria) with Oxlade (Nigeria)
- “Peru” – Fireboy DML (Nigeria) with Ed Sheeran (U.K.)
- “Second Sermon” – Black Sherif (Ghana) with Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- “Sete” – K.O. (South Africa) with Young Stunna (South Africa), Blxckie (South Africa)
- “Stamina” – Tiwa Savage with Ayra Starr (Nigeria) & Young Jonn (Nigeria)
- “Trumpet” – Olamide (Nigeria) with Ckay (Nigeria)
- “Unavailable” – Davido (Nigeria) with Musa Keys (South Africa) – Winner
Best Newcomer:
- Azawi (Uganda)
- Krys M (Cameroon)
- Libianca (Cameroon)
- Nissi (Nigeria)
- Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
- Pabi Cooper (South Africa)
- Roseline Layo (Ivory Coast) – Winner
These awards recognize the achievements of prominent African and international artists, celebrating their contributions to the vibrant music scene on the continent and beyond. Congratulations to all the winners!