AKA Triumphs Over Macky 2 at 2023 AFRIMMA Awards
The glitz, glamour, and undeniable talent of the African music industry took center stage on the night of September 17, 2023, as the 10th annual African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMAs) unfolded in a grand ceremony held in the vibrant city of Texas, USA. AFRIMMAs, a prestigious awards platform, has consistently been at the forefront of recognizing and celebrating the remarkable musical achievements and exceptional artists across the African continent.
A decade into its existence, AFRIMMAs has become a symbol of the dynamism and innovation that define contemporary African music. The awards showcase the diverse and evolving sounds that resonate across the continent, uniting nations through the universal language of music. Artists, songwriters, producers, and industry figures converge at this event to honor excellence, inspire creativity, and celebrate the rich tapestry of African music.
The 2023 edition of AFRIMMAs witnessed some of the biggest names in African music ascend to the podium to claim their well-deserved accolades. Among the night’s standout winners was the Congolese sensation Fally Ipupa, who not only clinched the Best Francophone award but also received a Lifetime Achievement Award. This double triumph solidified Ipupa’s status as a musical legend whose influence knows no boundaries.
Below is the full list of winners:
Artist of the Year
- Asake – Nigeria
- Fally Ipupa – DR Congo
- Diamond Platnumz – Tanzania
- Burna Boy– Nigeria
- Rema – Nigeria
- SoolKing – Algeria
- Aya Nakamura – Mali
- Davido – Nigeria
Best Male West Africa
- Adekunle Gold – Nigeria
- Black Sherif – Ghana
- Bnxn – Nigeria
- Santrinos Raphael – Togo
- Asake – Nigeria
- Didi B – Côte d’Ivoire
- King Promise – Ghana
- Tonton Pal – Mali
- Omah Lay – Nigeria
Best Female West Africa
- Ammarae – Ghana
- Tems – Nigeria
- Josey – Côte d’Ivoire
- Manamba Kante – Guinea
- Ayra Starr – Nigeria
- Gyakie – Ghana
- Tiwa Savage – Nigeria
- Fatoumata Diawara – Mali
Best Male East Africa
- Lij Michael – Ethiopia
- Nyashinski – Kenya
- Eddy Kenzo – Uganda
- Diamond Platnumz – Tanzania
- Mbosso – Tanzania
- Bien – Kenya
- Harmonize – Tanzania
- Meddy – Rwanda
- Single Dee – South Sudan
Best Female East Africa
- Maua Sama – Tanzania
- Nadia Mukami – Kenya
- Zuchu – Tanzania
- Azawi– Uganda
- Nikita Kering – Kenya
- Spice Diana – Uganda
- Fena Gitu – Kenya
- Nandy – Tanzania
- Hewan Gebrewold – Ethiopia
Best Male Central Africa
- T-Rex – Angola
- Fabregas – DR Congo
- TayC – Cameroon
- Fally Ipupa – DR Congo
- Calema – São Tomé
- Mic Monsta – Cameroon
- Gerilson Israel – Angola
- Djodje – Cape Verde
Best Male Southern Africa
- Costa Titch – South Africa
- DJ Tarico – Mozambique
- Macky2 – Zambia
- Musa Keys – South Africa
- DJ Maphorisa – South Africa
- Winky D – Zimbabwe
- AKA – South Africa
- Han C – Botswana
- Sjava – South Africa
Best Female Southern Africa
- Ami Faku – South Africa
- Tamy Moyo – Zimbabwe
- Mpho Sebina – Botswana
- DJ Zinhle – South Africa
- Sha Sha – Zimbabwe
- Nadia Nakai – South Africa
- Towela – Zambia
- Makhadzi – South Africa
- Tyla – South Africa
Best Newcomer
- Hewan Gebrewold – Ethiopia
- Guchi – Nigeria
- Jyzno – Liberia
- Young Jonn – Nigeria
- Lavalava – Tanzania
- Odumodu Blvck – Nigeria
- Lisandro Cuxi – Cape Verde
- Lasmid – Ghana
- Shalipopi – Nigeria
Best Gospel
- Mercy Chinwo – Nigeria
- Piesie Esther – Ghana
- Christina Shusho – Tanzania
- Miguel Buila – Angola
- Bidemi Olaoba – Nigeria
- KS Bloom – Côte d’Ivoire
- Mike Kalambay – DRC
- Joel Lwaga – Tanzania
- Pulani Maphari – South Africa
- Sumisola Agbebi Okeleye – Nigeria
Best Live Act
- Sauti Sol – Kenya
- Burna Boy – Nigeria
- Diamond Platnumz – Tanzania
- Flavour – Nigeria
- Barnaba – Tanzania
- Fally Ipupa – DR Congo
- Calema – Sao Tomé
- C4 Pedro – Angola
Best Male Rap Act
- Odumodu Black – Nigeria
- Yung Lunya – Tanzania
- Ninho – DR Congo
- Black Sherif – Ghana
- A-Reece – South Africa
- Blaqbonez – Nigeria
- Blxckie – South Africa
- Marwan Moussa – Egypt
Best Collaboration
- Mbosso ft. Costa Titch & Alfa Kat – ‘Shetani’
- Spyro x Tiwa Savage – ‘Who’s Your Guy?’
- Davido x Musa Keys – ‘Unavailable Musa Keys’
- Rema ft. Selena Gomez – ‘Calm Down Remix’
- Wegz x AshMusic – ‘Amira’
- Fally Ipupa ft. Charlotte Dipanda – ‘Garde du Coeur’
- Joshua Baraka ft. Joeboy, King Promise & Bien – ‘Nana Remix’
- Boutross ft. Juiceer Mann – ‘Angela’
Best DJ Africa
- DJ Spinall – Nigeria
- DJ Dollar – Sénégal
- Waffles – South Africa
- Ms DSF – Nigeria
- DJ Danni Gato – Cape Verde
- DJ Faculty – Ghana
- DJ Nelasta– Angola
- Major League DJz – South Africa
- DJ Consequence – Nigeria
Best African DJ USA
- DJ Nani – Nigeria
- DJ Akua – Ghana
- DJ Prince – Nigeria
- DJ Shinski – Kenya
- DJ Birame BB l’amour – Côte d’Ivoire
- DJ Yas Meen Selectress – Egypt
- Lex and Answer – Zimbabwe
- DJ Freshy K– Nigeria
Music Producer of the Year
- C4 Pedro – Angola
- Andre Vibez – Nigeria
- 207 – Uganda
- Ayo Lizzer – Tanzania
- Magicstickz – Nigeria
- MOGBeatz – Ghana
- Kabza De Small – South Africa
- Maajabu Gospel
- London – Nigeria
Best Francophone
- Fally Ipupa – DR Congo
- Serge Beynaud – Côte d’Ivoire
- Josey – Côte d’Ivoire
- Wally B. Seck – Sénégal
- TayC – Cameroon
- Innos B – DR Congo
- Tenor – Cameroon
- Dadju – DR Congo
Best African Group
- Disco Misr – Egypt
- Sauti Sol – Kenya
- Calema – São Tomé
- The Cavemen – Nigeria
- Show Dem Camp – Nigeria
- Toofan – Togo
- Jano Band – Ethiopia
- Mafikizolo – South Africa
AFRIMMA Album of the Year
- Davido – Timeless
- AKA – Mass Country
- Ammarae – Fountain Baby
- Fatoumata Diawara – London Ko
- Stonebwoy – 5th Dimension
- Asake – Work of Art
- Nomfundo Moh – Ugcobo
- Omah Lay – Boy Alone Deluxe
Lifetime Achievement Award
Fally Ipupa (DR Congo) and Timaya (Nigeria)
AFRIMMA Legendary Awartd
Kcee – Nigeria
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