Nigerian music superstars Rema, Yemi Alade, Davido emerged as winners at the 2023 Trace Awards in Kigali, Rwanda on Saturday.
Divine Ikubor popularly known as Rema, who won the biggest awards at HEADIES 2023 also won big, getting two awards — Song of the Year award for his global hit, ‘Calm Down’ and Best Global African Artist. The young Nigerian prodigy had a tie with South African Artiste and songwriter, Nomcebo Zikode.
Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ remix with Selena Gomez has continued to win laurels and reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Davido, who is the most followed Nigerian on Instagram also won two awards, Best Male and Best collaboration for his hit song, “Unavailable,” with Musa Keys.
Burna Boy won Album of the Year for Love Damini while female songstress, Yemi Alade won the Video of the Year award. Kel P won the Best Producer of the year. TuFace got the Life Achievement Award.
More than 150 artistes were nominated in the awards ceremony, which showcased the excellence and diversity of Afro-centric music in genres such as Afrobeat, Dancehall, Hip Hop, Afro-pop, Mbalax, Amapiano, Zouk, Kizomba, Genge, Coupé Décalé, Bongo Flava, Soukous, Gospel, Rap, Rai, Kompa, R&B, and Rumba.
The awards ceremony, which was hosted by Nigerian music veteran, Dapo Oyebanji known as D’Banj alongside Angolan global supermodel Maria Borges, featured a star-studded lineup of performers, including Davido, Yemi Alade, Black Sherif, Kizz Daniel and more.
