Culture

Nigerian artistes dominate at Trace Awards 2023, pick 10 gongs

Published

1 year ago

October 22, 2023

Nigerian artistes took the shine at the first-ever Trace Awards held on Saturday at thr BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, with music stars from the West African country carting home 10 of the gongs on display.

The Trace Awards 2023, which was held to honour and recognize African and Afro-inspired music and artists, showcased various genres such as Afrobeat, Dancehall, Hip Hop, Afropop, with Nigerian stars stealing the show in all the categories.

With the entire African continent represented by its best artistes at the Trace Awards, there was a showcase of the excellence and diversity of Afrocentric music in the most popular genres such as Afrobeat, Dancehall, Hip Hop, Afropop, Mbalax, Amapiano, Zouk, Kizomba, Genge, Coupé Décalé, Bongo Flava and rap, among many other genres.

Hosted by D’Banj and Maria Borges, the ceremony featured performances by Davido, Platinum Diamondz, Yemi Alade, Black Sherif, Kizz Daniel, amongst others.

With awards in 22 categories, there were platinum-selling artistes from more than 30 countries in Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, and Europe.

In the end, Nigerian artistes stood out, with Davido taking home the prizes for Best Male, and shared Best Collaboration with South Africa’s Musa Keys for “Unavailable”.

“Calm Down” crooner, Rema, carted home the Global African Artist and Song of the Year while Burna Boy “Love Damini” nicked the Best Album of the Year award, just as Asake won the Best Artist Anglophone Africa.

Other Nigerian stars who won awards at the event include Yemi Alade, who took home the prize for Best Video with “Baddie”, while Mr Eazi took home a special “ChangeMarker” award for his philanthropic work just as 2Baba won the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Other African artistes who won awards at the event include Diamond Platnumz, who was named the Best Artist in East Africa, while Rwandan local star, Bruce Melodie took home the Best Rwandan act award.

Full list of Nigerian winners at the awards:

Best Male Artist – Davido

Song of the Year – Rema

Best Music Video – “Baddie” Yemi Alade

Best Artist Anglophone Africa – Asake

Best Global African Artist – Rema

Best Collaboration – “Unavailable” – Davido

Changemaker Trace Award – Mr Eazi

Album of the Year – “Love Damini” – Burna Boy.

Related Topics:Davido Featured Kigali Rema Rwanda Trace Awards

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Culture

Obama names three African artistes in his Favorite Music list 2024

Published

3 days ago

December 28, 2024

Isaac Dachen

In keeping with the tradition of naming his favourite music list of the year, former United States President, Barack Obama, has released his favorite music from 2024, which includes three African artistes.

The Obama Favorite Music list 2024, which he dropped on social media, has Nigerian stars Asake, Rema, and South African Ampiona sensation, Tyla, alongside Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, amongst other world-renowned stars.

While dropping the list, the former US President wrote:

“Here are my favorite songs from this year! Check them out if you’re looking to shake up your playlist – and let me know if there’s a song or artist I should make sure to listen to.”

The top picks for Obama’s shortlist were Billie Eilish’s “Lunch,” Jordan Adetunji’s “Kehlani,” Tommy Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby,” Karol G’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” Bonny Light Horseman’s “Old Dutch,” Central Cee, Asake’s “Active,” Lil Baby’s “Band4band,” Rema’s “Yayo”, Karol G’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” and “Gata Only” by FloyyMenor and Cris MJ.
and more.

The Obama Favorite Music of 2024 list also showcased a vibrant mix of genres and artists, reflecting his diverse musical preferences, spanning hip-hop, R&B, jazz, and reggaeton, showcasing his appreciation for a variety of musical styles.

Culture

Moroccan tourist arrivals hit record-breaking 16 million

Published

4 days ago

December 27, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The year 2024 has seen Morocco celebrate a record-breaking 16 million tourist arrivals, surpassing the 12 million mark set in 2023, with the country continuing to see impressive growth in tourist arrivals.

Data from the country’s Ministry of Tourism, the Directorate of Studies and Financial Forecasts (DEPF) reveals that additional indicators reveal that the sector reached remarkable numbers in just 10 months, surpassing the total number of arrivals typically seen in a full year.

According to the new details from the directorate, which is affiliated to the Ministry of Economy, the country’s tourism revenues reached MAD 96.9 billion by the end of October, an increase of 9.3% compared to the same period last year.

A statement by the Ministry said
Morocco notably reached a new record of 14.6 million tourists by the end of October, the directorate indicated, noting that this far surpassed the previous record set at the end of 2023 in just 10 months.

“The number marks a 19% increase year on year, representing 2.3 million additional arrivals by the end of October 2024,” it said.

“This remarkable growth is driven both by foreign tourists, whose numbers have increased by 22%, and Moroccans living abroad.

“This past October was an especially strong month for the Moroccan hospitality industry. Approximately 1.5 million visitors traveled to the North African country during that month, representing an increase of 30% compared to October last year,” it stated.

The Ministry of Tourism celebrated the upward trend during a meeting of the Moroccan National Tourism’s Board of Directors held on Monday, with data showing that the North African country saw a record 15.87 million visitors by the end of November, marking a 20% increase while tourism revenues soared to MAD 97 billion.

“The sector achieved a growth rate of 19%, higher than the world average of 12% and most competing destinations,” the Moroccan Tourism Office said.

Speaking at the event, Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor:

“Our tourism roadmap is bearing fruit and we can now enter the year 24 with confidence and determination.”