Kigali, Rwanda – Davido and Rema scored big at the Trace Awards in Kigali on Saturday 21 October 2023.
Davido took home the prizes for Best Male, and shared Best Collaboration with South Africa’s Musa Keys for “Unavailable”. Rema scored in the Global African Artist, and Song of the Year categories, with “Calm Down”. “Love Damini” by Burna Boy scored the prize for Best Album and Vivian Chidid received the plaudits for Best Female.
The Best Artist – East Africa was won by Diamond Platnumz, while Rwandan local hero Bruce Melodie triumphed in the Best Rwandan Artist category.
Didi B took home the silverware for Ivory Coast as Best Artist Africa – Francophone, while his fellow countrymen KS Bloom and Tam Sir scored in the Best Gospel Artist, and Best Producer categories, respectively. Lisandro Cuxi was named Best Artist Africa – Lusophone.
Recognising his long and storied music career, Nigeria’s 2Face took home the prize for Lifetime Achievement.
Rutshelle Guillance was named as Best Artist – Caribbean, while Goulam triumphed as Best Artist – Indian Ocean, and Dystinct won Best Artist – North Africa. Yemi Alade’s hit “Baddie” took home the prize for Best Video.
Music maker and entrepreneur, Mr Eazi, took home a special ChangeMarker award for his philanthropic work.
Looking further north, British rapper Central Cee triumphed as Best Artist – UK, while Tayc took home the trophy for Best Artist – France & Belgium. Ludmilla took home the trophy for Best Artist – Brazil and Michael Brun was named Best DJ for Haiti.
Competing in 26 award categories were Africa and Afro-inspired artists from more than thirty countries in Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean and Europe.
For a full list of the winners of the Trace Awards please Trace Rwanda Music Awards 2023
Olivier Laouchez, Chairman and Co-Founder of Trace, commented, “Tonight has been a triumphant demonstration of the power and creativity of African and African-origin artists. All the nominees and performers at the Trace Awards underlined exactly why African contemporary music has become a global phenomenon. We congratulate all the nominees, winners and performers for their achievements and for demonstrating their talent, imagination and creativity to a global audience.”
On the night, the BK Arena resounded to contemporary rhythms and vibes from across Africa and the African diaspora. Highlights of the main show including collaborations between artists of different nationalities and music genres.
Fronted by Afrobeat legend D’Banj and Angolan supermodel Maria Borges, the Trace Awards featured performances and collaborations from 50+ stars, melding Afrobeat with Bongo Flava, Coupé Decalé, Soukouss, Rap, Rai, Gospel and more. Performers included Diamond Platnumz, (Tanzania), Davido (Nigeria), Bamby (French Guiana), Benjamin Dube (South Africa), Blxckie (South Africa), Bruce Melodie (Rwanda), Bwiza (Rwanda), Didi B (Ivory Coast), Dystinct (Morocco), Janet Otieno (Kenya), Josey (Ivory Coast), Lisandro Cuxi (Cape Verde), Locko (Cameroon), Perola (Angola), Plutonio (Mozambique), Princess Lover (Martinique), Ronisia (France), Rutshelle Guillaume (Haïti), Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde), Terrell Elymoor (Mayotte), The Compozers (Ghana), Viviane Chidid (Senegal), Yemi Alade (Nigeria), Mr Eazi (Nigeria), Azawi (Uganda), BNXN (Nigeria), Camidoh (Ghana), Chriss Eazy (Rwanda), Danni Gatto (Cape Verde), DJ Illans (Reunion), Donovan BTS (Mauritius), Emma’a (Gabon), Gaei (Madagascar), Gerilson Insrael (Angola), Goulam (The Comores), Kader Japonais (Algeria), Krys M (Cameroon), K.O (South Africa), KS Bloom (Ivory Coast), Levixone (Uganda), Mik’l (Réunion), Moses Bliss (Nigeria), Musa Keys (South Africa), Nadia Mukami (Kenya), Segael (Réunion), Jux (Tanzania) and Zuchu (Tanzania).
Global music powerhouse and Afro-music tastemaker, Trace staged the first ever Trace Awards to mark its 20th anniversary, and celebrate the creativity, talent and influence of African and Afro-inspired music and artists. The Awards 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.
Targeted at lovers of African and Afro-inspired music and culture, the Trace Awards broadcasted live on 21 October 2023 on Trace TV channels, radio and digital channels and on global streaming platforms, national terrestrial TV and satellite channels. A 90 minutes highlights show will air on Trace channels and partner TV stations and platforms from 28 October. The Trace Awards is presented by Visit Rwanda and Martell.
Presented by Visit Rwanda and Martell, the Trace Awards will take place at the BK Arena, Kigali,
For more information about the Awards, follow Trace on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter YouTube or TikTok. To join the conversation about the awards please use the hashtags #TraceAwardsRwanda2023, #TraceAwardsandFestival and #TraceAwardsTour
About Trace
Launched in 2003, Trace is the first multimedia and digital platform solely devoted to Afro-Urban music and cultures, as well as to the success of young people and artists. Trace’s mission is to “Entertain and Empower Our People”. Trace reaches more than 350 million fans in 180 countries.
More on https://trace.company/
About Visit Rwanda
Visit Rwanda is the tourism-focused arm of the Rwanda Development Board, a government body responsible for fast-tracking Rwanda’s economic development by enabling private sector growth. Visit Rwanda works with local conservation, tourism, and development partners to create and sustain tourism products that benefit inbound tourists and local communities and wildlife ecosystems. For more information on Visit Rwanda, visit www.visitrwanda.com, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits. The Group, which owns 17 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive portfolios in the industry with over 240 premium brands distributed across more than 160 markets. Pernod Ricard’s portfolio includes Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur or Lu Belaire, G.H. Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes. The Group’s mission is to unlock the magic of human connections by bringing “Good Times from a Good Place”, in line with its Sustainability and Responsibility roadmap.
About Maison Martell
The oldest of the great cognac houses, founded by Jean Martell in 1715, Maison Martell is renowned throughout the world for the finesse and elegance of its cognacs, the result of a legacy of savoir-faire handed down through nine generations. Together with a passion for its craft and a profound attachment to the terroir, Maison Martell is defined by the audacity with which it has challenged convention to create new expressions of cognac, including Martell Blue Swift, a VSOP Cognac aged in bourbon casks. The free spirit of the House is symbolised by its historic emblem: the swift.
About Luc Belaire
Luc Belaire is a premium brand produced in France – the hallmark of quality in the world of fine wines. Our 5th and 6th generation father-and-son winemakers oversee the production of each bottle of Luc Belaire at their Maison in Montagny-les-Beaune, established in 1898. Luc Belaire celebrates France’s place as the originator of fine sparkling wine, combining grapes of rare quality with the craftsmanship that can only be found at a family-operated winery like ours. For more information on Luc Belaire, visit www.lucbelaire.sovereignbrands.com
About RwandAir
Operating from Kigali, RwandAir is the national airline of Rwanda, with a fleet of modern aircraft, and serves 25 destinations across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. The airline has a reputation for delivering a premium service to all its customers, while also promoting Rwanda’s tourism and trade industries. RwandAir has received numerous awards for its service, including the “Best Airline Staff in Africa” award at the Skytrax World Airline Awards. For more information go to www.rwandair.com.
