The 2025 Trace Awards, held at Mora Resort in Zanzibar, Tanzania, on Wednesday, February 26, showcased the global influence of African music, with Nigerian artists leading the winners’ list.
The ceremony celebrated excellence in the music industry, highlighting Africa’s growing impact on the international stage.
Top Nigerian Winners
Rema emerged as the night’s biggest winner, securing two prestigious awards: Album of the Year for his critically acclaimed project Heis and Best Male Artist. Ayra Starr was named Best West African Artist, while Mercy Chinwo won Best Gospel Artist for her uplifting and inspiring music.
Afrobeats legend D’banj received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to the music industry.
Other notable Nigerian winners included P.Prime, who won Best Producer for MMS, and Meji Alabi, who claimed Best Music Video for Rema’s DND.
Global and Regional Awards
The awards also recognized talent from across Africa and the diaspora.
South Africa’s Titom & Yuppe won Song of the Year for Tshwala Bam, while Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz took home Best Global African Artist.
In the regional categories, Bien (Kenya) won Best Artist Eastern Africa, Ayra Starr (Nigeria) claimed Best Artist Western Africa Anglophone, and Tyler ICU (South Africa) secured Best Artist Southern Africa. Josey (Ivory Coast) won Best Artist Francophone Africa, and Chelsea Dinorath (Angola) was named Best Artist Lusophone Africa.
International and Diaspora Recognition
The awards also celebrated African artists in the diaspora.
Joe Dwet File (France/Haiti) won Best Artist Europe, Duquesa (Brazil) claimed Best Artist Brazil, and Lea Churro (Reunion Island) took home Best Artist Caribbean.
Lifetime Achievement Award
D’banj was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades-long impact on the music industry, particularly in popularizing Afrobeats globally.
Complete List of Winners
Global Awards
– Song of the Year: Titom & Yuppe – Tshwala Bam (South Africa)
– Album of the Year: Rema – Heis (Nigeria)
– Best Collaboration: Tamsir & Team Paiya – Coup du Marteau (Ivory Coast)
– Best Music Video: Meji Alabi – Rema’s DND (Nigeria)
– Best Dancer: Makhadzi (South Africa)
– Best DJ: DJ Moh Green – Kelele (Algeria)
– Best Hip Hop Artist: Didi B (Ivory Coast)
– Best Global African Artist: Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
– Best Male Artist: Rema (Nigeria)
– Best Female Artist: Tyla (South Africa)
– Best Live Performance: Fally Ipupa (DRC)
– Best Producer: P.Priime – MMS (Nigeria)
– Best Gospel Artist: Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)
Regional Awards
– Best Artist Eastern Africa: Bien (Kenya)
– Best Artist Western Africa Anglophone: Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
– Best Artist Southern Africa: Tyler ICU (South Africa)
– Best Artist Francophone Africa: Josey (Ivory Coast)
– Best Artist Lusophone Africa: Chelsea Dinorath (Angola)
International and Diaspora Awards
– Best Artist Europe: Joe Dwet File (France/Haiti)
– Best Artist Brazil: Duquesa (Brazil)
– Best Artist Caribbean: Lea Churro (Reunion Island)
– Best Artist Indian Ocean: Barth (Reunion).