THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
Nigeria’s hip-hop superstar Wizkid was the biggest winner at the 2017 edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) held on Sunday in Lagos. Hosted at the seaside Eko Hotel & Suites on the high-brow Victoria Island, African stars from all over the continent graced the event which celebrated their achievements in the music business. Wizkid won three of the most prestigious categories; Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year and the Best West African Artiste award.
Among other winners were Toofan (Togo) which won the Best African Group/Duo/Band and Eddy Kenzo (Uganda), whose “Biology” got the Album of the Year award. The African Legend Award was won by Salif Keita (Mali) and Oliver ‘Tutu’ Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe).
Altogether winners emerged in the thirty-four categories of the award at a ceremony hosted by American-Senegalese multi-platinum international artiste Akon and Cameroonian-French entertainment broadcaster Sophy Aiida.
AFRIMA rewards the best of African artistes from the continent. Winners are chosen by a massive online voting campaigns led by nominated artistes of different countries who rely on the love from music lovers at home and in diaspora.
The 3-day AFRIMA 2017 began on Thursday (10 November) with a music business conference and continued on Friday when stars converged at the Music Village, located at the Waterfront at Lagos‘s Bar Beach, to stir the 40,000 strong crowd. The non-stop open air music festival of live performances showcased an array of upcoming acts, major comebacks and A-list artistes from across the continent, including award nominees. DJ Jimmy Jatt rocked the show with the 2017 top charting songs in Africa. Dance Competitions also played tribute to Afro-beat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
Pop acts Tay Grin from Malawi, Nigerian local rapper Seriki to AFRIMA Jazz nominee Ed Izycs, YNBL Princess, Temmie Ovwasa commanded the stage to the enjoyment of the huge audience.
The main awards ceremony took place on Saturday, bringing together the crème of the creative industry, music lovers and diplomatic and government personalities, featured live performances from star-studded artistes.
Among African artistes present at the AFRIMA 2017 Awards ceremony were Angola’s superstar Nsoki, Malian legend Salif Keita, Bussine (Gabon), Young Paris (DRC), Ewube (Cameroon), Feza (Tanzania), Bebe Cool (Uganda), Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania), Wayna Wondowoseen (Ethiopia), Eddy Kenzo (Uganda), Henok and Mehari Brothers (Ethiopia), Juliana Kanyomozi (Uganda), Octopizzo (Kenya), Amanda Black (South Africa), Babes Wodumo (South Africa), Rue (Zimbabwe), Sally Boss Madam (Namibia), Ibitssam Tiskat (Morocco), Becca (Ghana), Oumou Sangare (Mali), Kandia Kora (Guinea), Dark Suburb (Ghana), Viviane Chidid (Senegal), Zeynab (Benin), Soul bangs (Guinea), Neza (Rwanda), Degg J Force (Guinea), Toofan (Togo), R2Bees (Ghana) and Mi Casa (Ghana).
The biggest music event in the continent, featuring a profound display of African beauty and culture, was broadcast live to 84 countries around the world. The awards ceremony is a world-class event that holds annually with live performances from star-studded artistes. // Kola Tella
Full List of Awardees
ARTISTE OF THE YEAR: Wizkid (Nigeria)
AFRICAN FANS FAVOURITE: The Dogg (Namibia)
ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Eddy Kenzo – “Biology” (Uganda)
BEST AFRICAN COLLABORATION: Alikiba – ‘Aje’ ft M.I Abaga (Tanzania)
BEST AFRICAN CONTEMPORARY: Wande Coal – ‘Iskaba’ ft DJ Tunez (Nigeria)
BEST AFRICAN ELECTRO: Nsoki – ‘Africa Unite’ ft DJ Maphorisa, Paulo Alves (Angola)
BEST AFRICAN GROUP/DUO/BAND: Toofan – ‘Tere Tere’ (Togo)
BEST AFRICAN HIP HOP: Ycee – ‘Juice’ (Nigeria)
BEST AFRICAN JAZZ: Nduduzo Makhatini – ‘Igagu’ (South Africa)
BEST AFRICAN POP: Toofan – ‘Tere tere’ (Togo)
BEST AFRICAN REGGAE, RAGGA, DANCE HALL: 2baba – ‘Holy holy’ (Nigeria)
BEST AFRICAN RnB AND SOUL: Alikiba – ‘Aje’ ft M.I Abaga (Tanzania)
BEST AFRICAN ROCK: Gilad – ‘Angel Uriel’ ft Omer Millo (Kenya)
BEST AFRICAN TRADITIONAL: Halmelmal Abate – ‘Harar’ (Ethiopia)
BEST FEMALE INSPIRATIONAL: Asikey – ‘Earth Attack’ (Nigeria)
BEST MALE INSPIRATIONAL: Gilad – ‘Angel Uriel’ ft Omer Millo (Kenya)
MOST PROMISING ARTISTE OF THE YEAR: Neza – ‘Uranyica’ (Rwanda)
SONG OF THE YEAR: Wizkid – ‘Come closer’ (Nigeria)
REVELATION OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENT: Shyn – ‘Resim Pitia’ (Madagascar)
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR: DJ Coublon – ‘Yolo Yolo’ by Seyi Shay (Nigeria)
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR: Simi – ‘Smile’
AFRICAN LEGEND AWARD: Salif Keita (Mali) and Oliver ‘Tutu’ Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe)
VIDEO OF THE YEAR: Adasa Cookey – ‘Cooking Pot’ by Orezi
Central Africa (Best Female): Montess – Love Witta Gun Man (Cameroon)
Central Africa (Best Male): Locko – Supporter ft Mr Leo (Cameroon)
East Africa (Best Female): Nandy – One Day (Tanzania)
East Africa (Best Male): Henok & Mehari Brothers – Firkir Yishala (Ethiopia)
Southern Africa (Best Female): Thandiswa – Nontsokolo (South Africa)
Southern Africa (Best Male): Emtee – We Up (South Africa)
West Africa (Best Female): Tiwa Savage – All Over (Nigeria)
West Africa (Best Male): Wizkid – Come Closer ft Drake (Nigeria)
North Africa (Best Female): Ibitssam Tiskat – Menak Wla Meni (Morocco)
North Africa (Best Male): Shayfeen – Wach Kayn Wader (Morocco)
