The stalwarts of Nigerian music have once again risen to prominence, dominating the 2025 Trace Awards nominations. The much-anticipated event will take place in Zanzibar on February 26, 2025, as part of a two-day festival that includes a music summit.
This prestigious award recognizes outstanding talent in African music and celebrates artists who continue to break global boundaries and redefine the continent’s soundscape.
Song of the Year had a strong Nigerian presence, with Asake and Travis Scott’s “Active,” Tems’ “Love Me Jeje,” Burna Boy’s "Higher," and Rema and Sharipopi’s “Benin Hit songs such as “Boys” are among the candidates.
In the “Album of the Year” category, in addition to Asake’s “Lungu Boy,” Rema’s “HEIS,” and Burna Boy’s “I Told Them,” Ghanaian artists Amaarae (Fountain Baby) and King Promise ( True to Self), Stonebwoy’s notable works are featured. (5th dimension).
Other categories focus on cross-continental collaborations, outstanding live performances, and groundbreaking visuals. Nigerian stars dominate the Best Music Video category, with directors such as TG Omori (Kiz Daniel & Davido’s “Twe Tue”) and Edgar Estevez (Asake & Wizkid’s “MMS”) nominated.
The awards also focus on regional excellence, recognizing talent from across East, West, South and Francophone Africa, as well as Lusophone and international artists. Categories such as Best Newcomer spotlight up-and-coming artists such as Nigeria’s Sharipopi and Chin Madi, while Best Producer honors innovative creators such as P. Prime and DJ Maphorisa.
Here is the list of nominees for the 2025 Trace Awards
song of the year
Tyra – “Jump” (South Africa) Tyler ICU – “Muniqué” (South Africa) Titom & Juppe – “Twala Bam” (South Africa) Tamsir x Team Paya – “Cou du Marteau” (Ivory Coast) Asake & Travis Scott – “ Active” (Nigeria) Tems – “Love Me Jeje” (Nigeria) Burna Boy – “Higher” (Nigeria) Rema & Sharipopi – “Benin Boys” (Nigeria) Diamond Platnumz – “Komasawa” (Tanzania)
Album of the year
Burna Boy – I told them (Nigeria)
Asake – Lungboy (Nigeria)
Lema – Hythe (Nigeria)
Josey – Vibration Universelle (Ivory Coast)
Amaarae – Fountain Baby (Ghana)
King Promise – True To Self (Ghana)
Stonebwii – 5th Dimension (Ghana)
Toofan – Stamina (Togo)
best collaboration
Titom & Juppe & Burna Boy – ‘Tshwala Bam’ (Remix) (South Africa/Nigeria)
Neina & MC Akondize – “Nu Ka Sta Para” (Cape Verde)
Kocee ft. Patorranking – “Credit Alert” (Cameroon/Nigeria)
Asake & Wizkid – “MMS” (Nigeria)
Rema & Sharipopi – “Benin Boys” (Nigeria)
Odumodublvck & Black Sherif – “Woto Woto Seasoning” (Ghana)
Tamsir & Team Paiya – “Coup du Marteau” (Ivory Coast)
best music video
Meji Alabi – Rema “DND” (Nigeria)
TG Omori – Kizz Daniel & Davido ‘Twe Twe’ (Nigeria)
Director Forex – Zuchu feat Innoss’ B ‘Nani’ (Remix) (Tanzania/Democratic Republic of Congo)
Nabil Elderkin – Tyra “Jump” (South Africa)
Kumane – Ira Starr “Commas” (Nigeria)
Soute Emmanuel – Toofan ‘C Pas Normal’ (Togo)
Ach’B – Innoss’ B ‘Sete’ (DRC)
Edgar Estevez – Asake & Wizkid ‘MMS’ (Nigeria)
best dancer
Ikorodu Boys (Nigeria)
Dance God Lloyd (Ghana)
Incredible Gigi (Ghana)
Kamo Mphela (South Africa)
Terminho (Angola)
Makazi (South Africa)
Ordinateur (Ivory Coast)
Isaac Kalonji (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
best dj
Tyler ICU – “Munike” (South Africa)
Uncle Waffle – “Wadibusa” (South Africa)
DJ Tunez – “Apala Disco Remix” (Nigeria)
DJ Nerasta – “Eros” (Angola)
DJ Spinal ft. Tyra & Omar Lay – “One Call” (Nigeria)
DJ Neptune ft. Chin Madi – “Honest” (Nigeria)
DJ Mo Green – “Kelele” (Algeria)
DJ Maphorisa – “Mnike” (South Africa)
Kabza De Small – ‘Imitandazo’ (South Africa)
Best Hip Hop Artist (Sponsored by Hot 97)
Nasty C (South Africa), Didi B (Ivory Coast)
Odumodu Bulbuku (Nigeria), Suspect 95 (Ivory Coast)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Young Runya (Tanzania)
Maglera Do Boi (South Africa)
Best Global African Artist
Tyra (South Africa)
Tyler ICU (South Africa)
Faly Ipupa (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Asake (Nigeria/USA)
Lema (Nigeria)
Ira Starr (Nigeria)
Diamond Planums (Tanzania)
best male artist
Dolala Takuzin (South Africa)
Faly Ipupa (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Diamond Planums (Tanzania)
Asake (Nigeria)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Lema (Nigeria)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Stonebwii (Ghana)
best female artist
Tyra (South Africa)
Makazi (South Africa)
Chelsea Dinoras (Angola)
Georgie (Ivory Coast)
Ira Starr (Nigeria)
Thames (Nigeria)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
Best Newcomer Award (Sponsored by Johnnie Walker)
Nkosazana Musume (South Africa)
Himra (Ivory Coast)
Sabrina (Cameroon)
Mia Guise (Senegal)
Charipopi (Nigeria)
Chin Madi (Nigeria)
Abigail Chums (Tanzania)
Best live performance
Fally Ipupa (DRC)
Ira Starr – 21: The World Tour (Nigeria)
Burna Boy – I told them (Nigeria)
Tyra (South Africa)
Yemi Alade – African Rebels Tour (Nigeria)
Didi B – Mojo Tron Tour (Ivory Coast)
Diamond Platnumz – Wasafi Festival (Tanzania)
best producer
Kelvin Momo – “Sewe” (South Africa)
P. Prime – “MMS” (Nigeria)
DJ Maphorisa – “Mnike” (South Africa)
Tam Ser – “Coup du Marteau” (Ivory Coast)
Saats – “Happiness” (Nigeria)
Jay 5 – “The Perfect Combo” (Ghana)
KDDO – ‘For Certain’ (Party Next Door) (Nigeria)
London – “Ozeba” (Nigeria)
Kabza De Small – ‘Imitandazo’ (South Africa)
best gospel artist
Spirit of Praise 10 (South Africa)
KS Bloom (Ivory Coast)
Mercy Chinu (Nigeria)
Ada Ehi (Nigeria)
Bella Combo (Tanzania)
Israel Mboni (Rwanda)
Best Artist East Africa
Diamond Planums (Tanzania)
Bien (Kenya)
Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
Harmonize (Tanzania)
Lofnan (Ethiopia)
Mario (Tanzania)
Zuchu (Tanzania)
Nadi (Tanzania)
Best Artist (West African English-speaking countries)
Sei Bibes (Nigeria)
Adekunle Gold (Nigeria)
Ira Starr (Nigeria)
Thames (Nigeria)
Chike (Nigeria)
Simi (Nigeria)
KiDi (Ghana)
Best Artist (South Africa)
Titom & Juppe (South Africa)
De Mutuda (South Africa)
Inkabi Zezwe (South Africa)
Dolala Takuzin (South Africa)
Tyra (South Africa)
Uncle Waffle (South Africa)
Tyler ICU (South Africa)
Best African French speaking artist
Didi B (Ivory Coast)
Georgie (Ivory Coast)
Tidian Mario (Congo)
Gaz Mawete (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Wally B. Seck (Senegal)
Philville (Cameroon)
Best Artist (Lusophone Africa)
Carema (Sao Tome and Principe)
Landrik (Angola)
Chelsea Dinoras (Angola)
Twenty Fingers (Mozambique)
Mr. Bou (Mozambique)
Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
Best Artist (Tanzania)
Mbosso (Zanzibar)
Diamond Planums (Tanzania)
Zuchu (Zanzibar)
Mario (Tanzania)
Nadi (Tanzania)
Alikiba (Tanzania)
Jux (Tanzania)
Harmonize (Tanzania)
Best Artist (Europe)
Central Sea (UK)
Kalash (France/Martinique)
Darkoo (UK)
Joe Dwet File (France/Haiti)
Jungerli (France)
Franglish (France)
Aya Nakamura (France/Mali)
Best Artist (Brazil)
Lacione MC’s (Brazil)
MC IG (Brazil)
Pericles (Brazil)
Tasha and Tracy (Brazil)
Ludmila (Brazil)
Duquesa (Brazil)
Best Artist (Caribbean)
Vencie (French Guiana)
Mathieu White (Guadeloupe)
Merrill (Martinique)
Nesley (French Guiana)
Shenseea (Jamaica)
Kenny Haiti (Haiti)
Best Artist (Indian Ocean)
Birth (reunion)
Ghoulam (Comoros)
PLL (Reunion)
Kalypschau (reunion)
Rare Churros (Reunion)
Jamilly Jeanne (Mauritius)
All of us at African Entertainment would like to congratulate all the nominees.
