The five regions of Africa gave an impressive account of their respective music industry as the 2014 Nominees’ List of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, was unveiled today, September 23, 2014 during a world press conference held at Protea Hotel Leadway, Lagos, Nigeria.
Present for the AFRIMA Panel of Jurors at the unveiling event was jury member Mr. Oscar Kidjo, a seasoned music producer, representing West Africa (Benin Republic). Also representing the International Committee of AFRIMA were: Executive Producer/President, Mike Dada; Director Brand Communication & Sponsorship, Matlou Tsotetsi; Chairman, International Media Committee, Steve Ayorinde and Co-Producer/Country Director, Nigeria, Kingsley James. Other attendees included African music industry personalities, heads of partner corporate organisations and music industry stakeholders.
Although popular names in the continental music industry showed up on the highly-anticipated Nominees’ List of the awards project that is rewarding excellence by budding and established music professionals as well as journalists, the nominations of a generous number of emerging African artistes in many award categories threw more excitement into the unveiling event witnessed by local and international press as well as critical stakeholders in the music industry.
While 30 of the 33 award categories will be open for voting by the public and AFRIMA Academy of Voters, Mike Dada revealed that recipients of the AFRIMA Legend Award and the Africa Entertainment/Music Journalist Award will be decided by the International Committee of AFRIMA and announced at the main awards ceremony on Sunday, November 9, 2014.
In partnership with the African Union Commission, All Africa Music Awards promises to be a premium star-studded event on November 9, preceded by the AFRIMA Music Village between November 4 and 7, a four-day festival style open concert of non-stop music, fanfare and exhibition from countries in Africa and performances by African artistes. There will also be an African Music Summit, November 6 to 7, themed “Reviving the Business of Music in Africa”. The two-day conference will be a platform for the music industry stakeholders to engage and deliberate on how the industry can be nurtured and be a major contributor to national and continental economies.
Sheer Publishing would like to congratulate the following clients for their nominations:
CATEGORY: BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN EASTERN AFRICA
Jackie Chandiru (Uganda) – Champion
CATEGORY: BEST MALE ARTISTE IN EASTERN AFRICA
Kidum (Burundi) – Hali Na Mali
CATEGORY: BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
Zahara (South Africa) – Impilo
CATEGORIES: ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Phendula (South Africa) – Zahara
Reunited (South Africa) – Mafikizolo (*Nhlanhla Nciza via TS Records)
CATEGORIES: SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Bulelwa Mkutukana (South Africa) – Impilo
David Adeleke, Nhlanhla Nciza & Theo Kgosinkwe (Nigeria & South Africa) – Tchelete
CATEGORY: BEST AFRICAN GROUP/ DUO/BAND
Mafikizolo (*Nhlanhla Nciza via TS Records), featuring May D (South Africa) – Happiness
Mi Casa South Africa) – Jika
Sauti Sol (Kenya) – Nishike
CATEGORY: BEST AFRICAN COLLABORATION
Davido and Mafikizolo (Nigeria & South Africa) – Tchelete
D’Banjb and Friends (19 countries in Africa) – Cocoa Na Chocolate
CATEGORY: BEST AFRICAN ELECTRO
Mi Casa (South Africa) – Jika
CATEGORY: BEST AFRICAN POP (A SONG)
Mafikizolo featuring May D (South Africa) – Happiness
CATEGORY: BEST AFRICAN REGGAE, RAGGA & DANCEHALL
Buffalo Souljah (Zimbabwe) – Basawine
Radio & Weasel (Uganda) – Breath Away
CATEGORY: BEST VIDEO
Mi Casa (South Africa) – Jika
CATEGORY: SONG OF THE YEAR
Davido and Mafikizolo Nigeria & South Africa) – Tchelete
Mi Casa (South Africa) – JikA
CATEGORY: PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Robbie Malinga and Mojalefa Thebe (South Africa) – Impilo
ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Zahara (South Africa)
Mi Casa (South Africa)
Mafikizolo (South Africa)