Nigerian artists dominated the 2025 Trace Awards, with some of the country’s most celebrated talents taking home prestigious accolades for their exceptional contributions to the music industry.
The highly anticipated awards ceremony took place at the luxurious Mora Resort in Zanzibar, Tanzania, on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. It was a night to remember for Nigerian music stars, with several big wins across various categories.
Rema emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners, bagging two major awards: ‘Album of the Year’ for his 2024 Grammy-nominated album ‘HEIS’ and ‘Best Male Artist’. His triumph is a testament to his meteoric rise in the global music scene and his undeniable influence across genres.
Not far behind was Ayra Starr, who was named ‘Best West African Artist’, cementing her place as one of the brightest stars in the music industry today. Her distinctive style and powerful voice continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
The talented Mercy Chinwo claimed the ‘Best Gospel Artist’ award for her soul-stirring gospel music, which has touched the hearts of many with its uplifting and inspirational messages. Her win highlights her contribution to the genre and her deep connection with listeners.
Another major highlight of the evening was D’banj, who was honored with the prestigious ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’. The legendary musician, known for his groundbreaking work in Afrobeats, received the recognition for his decades of dedication to the music industry, paving the way for future generations of Nigerian artists.
Other notable Nigerian winners included P.priime, who took home the ‘Best Producer’ award for his exceptional work on ‘MMS’, and Meji Alabi, who secured the ‘Best Music Video’ award for directing the visually stunning video for Rema’s ‘DND’.
The Trace Awards, now in its annual celebration of African music, has continued to recognize outstanding talents who have made significant impacts across the continent and beyond. The event served as a powerful reminder of Nigeria’s influential role in the global music landscape.
Full List of 2025 Trace Awards Winners:
Global Awards
Song of the Year
Titom & Yuppe – ‘Tshwala Bam’ (South Africa)
Tyla – ‘Jump’ (South Africa)
Tyler ICU – ‘Mnike’ (South Africa)
Tamsir x Team Paiya – ‘Coup du Marteau’ (Ivory Coast)
Asake & Travis Scott – ‘Active’ (Nigeria)
Tems – ‘Love Me Jeje’ (Nigeria)
Burna Boy – ‘Higher’ (Nigeria)
Rema & Shallipopi – ‘Benin Boys’ (Nigeria)
Diamond Platnumz – ‘Komasawa’ (Tanzania)
Album of the Year
Rema – Heis (Nigeria)
Burna Boy – I Told Them (Nigeria)
Asake – Lungu Boy (Nigeria)
Josey – Vibration Universelle (Ivory Coast)
Amaarae – Fountain Baby (Ghana)
King Promise – True To Self (Ghana)
Stonebwoy – 5th Dimension (Ghana)
Toofan – Stamina (Togo)
Best Collaboration
Tamsir & Team Paiya – ‘Coup du Marteau’ (Ivory Coast)
Titom & Yuppe & Burna Boy – ‘Tshwala Bam’ (Remix) (South Africa/Nigeria)
Neyna & MC Acondize – ‘Nu Ka Sta Para’ (Cape Verde)
Kocee ft. Patoranking – ‘Credit Alert’ (Cameroon/Nigeria)
Asake & Wizkid – ‘MMS’ (Nigeria)
Rema & Shallipopi – ‘Benin Boys’ (Nigeria)
Odumodublvck & Black Sherif – ‘Woto Woto Seasoning’ (Ghana)
Best Music Video
Meji Alabi – Rema ‘DND’ (Nigeria)
TG Omori – Kizz Daniel & Davido ‘Twe Twe’ (Nigeria)
Director Folex – Zuchu feat Innoss’ B ‘Nani’ (Remix) (Tanzania/DRC)
Nabil Elderkin – Tyla ‘Jump’ (South Africa)
Kmane – Ayra Starr ‘Commas’ (Nigeria)
Seoute Emmanuel – Toofan ‘C Pas Normal’ (Togo)
Ach’B – Innoss’ B ‘Sete’ (DRC)
Edgar Esteves – Asake & Wizkid ‘MMS’ (Nigeria)
Best Dancer
Makhadzi (South Africa)
Ikorodu Boys (Nigeria)
Dancegod Lloyd (Ghana)
Incredible Zigi (Ghana)
Kamo Mphela (South Africa)
Telminho (Angola)
Ordinateur (Ivory Coast)
Issac Kalonji (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Best DJ
DJ Moh Green – ‘Kelele’ (Algeria)
Tyler ICU – ‘Mnike’ (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles – ‘Wadibusa’ (South Africa)
DJ Tunez – ‘Apala Disco Remix’ (Nigeria)
DJ Nelasta – ‘Eros’ (Angola)
DJ Spinall ft. Tyla & Omah Lay – ‘One Call’ (Nigeria)
DJ Neptune ft. Qing Madi – ‘Honest’ (Nigeria)
DJ Maphorisa – ‘Mnike’ (South Africa)
Kabza De Small – ‘Imithandazo’ (South Africa)
Best Hip Hop Artist (sponsored by Hot 97)
Didi B (Ivory Coast)
Nasty C (South Africa)
Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
Suspect 95 (Ivory Coast)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Young Lunya (Tanzania)
Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa)
Pan-African Awards
Best Global African Artist
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Tyla (South Africa)
Tyler ICU (South Africa)
Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Asake (Nigeria/USA)
Rema (Nigeria)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Best Male Artist
Rema (Nigeria)
Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Asake (Nigeria)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Stonebwoy (Ghana)
Best Female Artist
Tyla (South Africa)
Makhadzi (South Africa)
Chelsea Dinorath (Angola)
Josey (Ivory Coast)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Tems (Nigeria)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
Best Live Performance
Fally Ipupa (DRC)
Ayra Starr – 21: The World Tour (Nigeria)
Burna Boy – I Told Them (Nigeria)
Tyla (South Africa)
Yemi Alade – African Rebel Tour (Nigeria)
Didi B – Mojo Trone Tour (Ivory Coast)
Diamond Platnumz – Wasafi Festival (Tanzania)
Best Producer
P.Priime – ‘MMS’ (Nigeria)
Kelvin Momo – ‘Sewe’ (South Africa)
DJ Maphorisa – ‘Mnike’ (South Africa)
Tam Sir – ‘Coup du Marteau’ (Ivory Coast)
Sarz – ‘Happiness’ (Nigeria)
Jae 5 – ‘Perfect Combi’ (Ghana)
KDDO – ‘For Certain’ (Party Next Door) (Nigeria)
London – ‘Ozeba’ (Nigeria)
Kabza De Small – ‘Imithandazo’ (South Africa)
Best Gospel Artist
Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)
Spirit of Praise 10 (South Africa)
KS Bloom (Ivory Coast)
Ada Ehi (Nigeria)
Bella Kombo (Tanzania)
Israël Mbonyi (Rwanda)
Regional Awards
Best Artist Eastern Africa
Bien (Kenya)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
Harmonize (Tanzania)
Rophnan (Ethiopia)
Marioo (Tanzania)
Zuchu (Tanzania)
Nandy (Tanzania)
Best Artist (Western Africa Anglophone)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Seyi Vibez (Nigeria)
Adekunle Gold (Nigeria)
Tems (Nigeria)
Chike (Nigeria)
Simi (Nigeria)
KiDi (Ghana)
Best Artist (Southern Africa)
Tyler ICU (South Africa)
Titom & Yuppe (South Africa)
De Mthuda (South Africa)
Inkabi Zezwe (South Africa)
Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
Tyla (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles (South Africa)
Best Artist Francophone Africa
Josey (Ivory Coast)
Didi B (Ivory Coast)
Tidiane Mario (Congo)
Gaz Mawete (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Wally B. Seck (Senegal)
PhillBill (Cameroon)
Best Artist (Lusophone Africa)
Chelsea Dinorath (Angola)
Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe)
Landrick (Angola)
Twenty Fingers (Mozambique)
Mr. Bow (Mozambique)
Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
Best Artist (Tanzania)
Nandy (Tanzania)
Mbosso (Zanzibar)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Zuchu (Zanzibar)
Marioo (Tanzania)
Alikiba (Tanzania)
Jux (Tanzania)
Harmonize (Tanzania)
International and Diaspora Awards
Best Artist (Europe)
Joe Dwet File (France/Haiti)
Central Cee (United Kingdom)
Kalash (France/Martinique)
Darkoo (United Kingdom)
Jungeli (France)
Franglish (France)
Aya Nakamura (France/Mali)
Best Artist (Brazil)
Duquesa (Brazil)
Racionais MC’s (Brazil)
MC IG (Brazil)
Péricles (Brazil)
Tasha & Tracie (Brazil)
Ludmilla (Brazil)
Best Artist (Caribbean)
Lea Churro (Reunion Island)
Venssy (French Guiana)
Mathieu White (Guadeloupe)
Meryl (Martinique)
Nesly (French Guiana)
Shenseea (Jamaica)
Kenny Haiti (Haiti)
Best Artist (Indian Ocean)
Barth (Reunion)
Goulam (Comoros)
PLL (Reunion)
Kalipsxau (Reunion)
Léa Churros (Reunion)
Jamily Jeanne (Mauritius)
Lifetime Achievement Award
D’Banj
