08-29-2025, 07:49 AM
A Battle of Titans and Rising Stars: The AFRIMA 2025 Nominees Set the Stage
![[Image: AFRIMA-2025-nominees.png]](https://cdn.businessday.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AFRIMA-2025-nominees.png)
A Battle of Titans and Rising Stars: The AFRIMA 2025 Nominees Set the Stage is the major news trend today, as the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) has officially released the list of nominees for its 2025 edition. The announcement, made in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC), has ignited conversations across the continent's music industry, pitting established heavyweights like Burna Boy and Davido against a new wave of sensation like Shallipopi and Ayra Starr. The list, which was drawn from a record-breaking 10,717 entries, the highest in the award's 12-year history, showcases the remarkable growth and diversity of African music on the global stage.
Nigerian Powerhouses Lead the Charge 🇳🇬
Nigeria's dominance in the music scene is once again on full display in the AFRIMA nominations. The two biggest names in Afrobeats, Burna Boy and Davido, lead the pack with five nominations each. Both are set to go head-to-head in some of the most prestigious categories, including Album of the Year for Burna Boy's No Sign of Weakness and Davido's 5ive. Their hit singles have also earned them nods in Song of the Year and Best Collaboration. The rivalry between the two stars adds a layer of excitement to the awards, as fans eagerly await to see who will come out on top.
However, the spotlight is not just on the veterans. Street-pop sensation Shallipopi has emerged as a major contender, securing four nominations, including the highly coveted Artiste of the Year award. His breakout hit, "Laho," is also up for Song of the Year. Shallipopi's rise from a social media phenomenon to an award-nominated artist is a testament to the evolving nature of the African music industry. Another star from the Nigerian contingent, Rema, has also received three nominations, including Artiste of the Year, reaffirming his status as a global Afrobeats icon. You can see the full list of Nigerian nominees and their categories in a detailed report from allAfrica.com.
Continental and Diaspora Stars Shine Brightly ✨
The AFRIMA nominations prove that talent is not limited to a single country or region. South Africa’s DJ Maphorisa, known for his role in popularizing amapiano, has matched Burna Boy and Davido with five nominations each, including Best African DJ and Album of the Year. Morocco's rap star El Grande Toto also has five nominations for his work, with his album Salgoat and hit song "Diplomatico."
Female artists have also made a strong statement this year, with Senegal's Mia Guissé and Ghana's Moliy each bagging five nominations. Their nominations highlight the growing influence and recognition of female talent across the continent. Additionally, Tanzania's Diamond Platnumz, South Africa's Tyla, and Eswatini's Uncle Waffles each have four nominations, further solidifying the strong presence of East and Southern African music.
The awards also recognize African artists in the diaspora. The list features major names like French-Malian star Aya Nakamura, UK-based Darkoo, and Canadian-Congolese singer Deborah Lukalu. French DJs and artists like DJ Snake, Tayc, and Niska also made the list, demonstrating the global reach of African music. A comprehensive list of nominees across all 40 categories can be found on Businessday NG.
The Road to the Awards: A Celebration in Lagos 🎉
The AFRIMA 2025 is not just about the awards ceremony itself; it's a week-long celebration of African music. The events, which will be hosted in Lagos, Nigeria, from November 25 to 30, include the AFRIMA Music Village, the Africa Music Business Summit, and a host of other activities. The main awards ceremony will take place on November 30 and will be broadcast live to over 84 countries worldwide.
Public voting for all categories is set to open on September 10, 2025, on the official AFRIMA website, giving fans the chance to have their say in who takes home the coveted trophies. This year's high number of entries and diverse list of nominees are a testament to the fact that African music has broken down barriers and is now a dominant force in the global music industry. The jury member for the Southern African region, Delani Makhalima, summarized it perfectly: "For years our voices were not heard, but today African music is global." You can check out the official website for the AFRIMA and get ready to cast your vote: AFRIMA Official Website.
#AFRIMA2025 #AFRIMA #BurnaBoy #Davido #Shallipopi #Afrobeats #AfricanMusic #MusicAwards #Rema #AyraStarr #ElGrandeToto #DJMaphorisa
A Battle of Titans and Rising Stars: The AFRIMA 2025 Nominees Set the Stage is the major news trend today, as the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) has officially released the list of nominees for its 2025 edition. The announcement, made in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC), has ignited conversations across the continent's music industry, pitting established heavyweights like Burna Boy and Davido against a new wave of sensation like Shallipopi and Ayra Starr. The list, which was drawn from a record-breaking 10,717 entries, the highest in the award's 12-year history, showcases the remarkable growth and diversity of African music on the global stage.
Nigerian Powerhouses Lead the Charge 🇳🇬
Nigeria's dominance in the music scene is once again on full display in the AFRIMA nominations. The two biggest names in Afrobeats, Burna Boy and Davido, lead the pack with five nominations each. Both are set to go head-to-head in some of the most prestigious categories, including Album of the Year for Burna Boy's No Sign of Weakness and Davido's 5ive. Their hit singles have also earned them nods in Song of the Year and Best Collaboration. The rivalry between the two stars adds a layer of excitement to the awards, as fans eagerly await to see who will come out on top.
However, the spotlight is not just on the veterans. Street-pop sensation Shallipopi has emerged as a major contender, securing four nominations, including the highly coveted Artiste of the Year award. His breakout hit, "Laho," is also up for Song of the Year. Shallipopi's rise from a social media phenomenon to an award-nominated artist is a testament to the evolving nature of the African music industry. Another star from the Nigerian contingent, Rema, has also received three nominations, including Artiste of the Year, reaffirming his status as a global Afrobeats icon. You can see the full list of Nigerian nominees and their categories in a detailed report from allAfrica.com.
Continental and Diaspora Stars Shine Brightly ✨
The AFRIMA nominations prove that talent is not limited to a single country or region. South Africa’s DJ Maphorisa, known for his role in popularizing amapiano, has matched Burna Boy and Davido with five nominations each, including Best African DJ and Album of the Year. Morocco's rap star El Grande Toto also has five nominations for his work, with his album Salgoat and hit song "Diplomatico."
Female artists have also made a strong statement this year, with Senegal's Mia Guissé and Ghana's Moliy each bagging five nominations. Their nominations highlight the growing influence and recognition of female talent across the continent. Additionally, Tanzania's Diamond Platnumz, South Africa's Tyla, and Eswatini's Uncle Waffles each have four nominations, further solidifying the strong presence of East and Southern African music.
The awards also recognize African artists in the diaspora. The list features major names like French-Malian star Aya Nakamura, UK-based Darkoo, and Canadian-Congolese singer Deborah Lukalu. French DJs and artists like DJ Snake, Tayc, and Niska also made the list, demonstrating the global reach of African music. A comprehensive list of nominees across all 40 categories can be found on Businessday NG.
The Road to the Awards: A Celebration in Lagos 🎉
The AFRIMA 2025 is not just about the awards ceremony itself; it's a week-long celebration of African music. The events, which will be hosted in Lagos, Nigeria, from November 25 to 30, include the AFRIMA Music Village, the Africa Music Business Summit, and a host of other activities. The main awards ceremony will take place on November 30 and will be broadcast live to over 84 countries worldwide.
Public voting for all categories is set to open on September 10, 2025, on the official AFRIMA website, giving fans the chance to have their say in who takes home the coveted trophies. This year's high number of entries and diverse list of nominees are a testament to the fact that African music has broken down barriers and is now a dominant force in the global music industry. The jury member for the Southern African region, Delani Makhalima, summarized it perfectly: "For years our voices were not heard, but today African music is global." You can check out the official website for the AFRIMA and get ready to cast your vote: AFRIMA Official Website.
#AFRIMA2025 #AFRIMA #BurnaBoy #Davido #Shallipopi #Afrobeats #AfricanMusic #MusicAwards #Rema #AyraStarr #ElGrandeToto #DJMaphorisa