The 2025 Trace Awards nominees are finally here, and the excitement is real! The awards ceremony will be held in Zanzibar on February 26, and it’s set to be a celebration of everything we love about Afro music.
These awards showcase the beauty and brilliance of Afro music, covering all kinds of genres like Afrobeat, dancehall, amapiano, hip-hop, rumba, and many more. Artists from over 30 countries across Africa, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Indian Ocean are competing in 24 categories.
Leading the nominations are big names like South Africa’s Tyla and Tyler ICU, alongside Nigeria’s Asake, Rema, and Burna Boy. One of the most exciting categories is Song of the Year, featuring hits like Tyla’s “Jump,” Tyler ICU’s “Mnike,” and Asake & Travis Scott’s “Active.” Other strong contenders include Tems’ “Love Me Jeje,” Burna Boy’s “Higher,” Rema & Shallipopi’s “Benin Boys,” and Diamond Platnumz’s “Komasawa.” These tracks really show how far African music has spread across the globe.
In Album of the Year, Nigeria shines bright again with Burna Boy’s I Told Them, Asake’s Lungu Boy, and Rema’s Heis. Ghana isn’t far behind, with Amaarae, King Promise, and Stonebwoy all making waves. Ivory Coast’s Josey and Togo’s Toofan are also showing just how much talent the continent has to offer.
The Best Collaboration category is full of energy. South Africa’s Titom & Yuppe teamed up with Burna Boy for the remix of “Tshwala Bam,” while Asake & Wizkid delivered the hit “MMS.” Other favorites include Kocee ft. Patoranking’s “Credit Alert,” Odumodublvck & Black Sherif’s “Woto Woto Seasoning,” and Neyna & MC Acondize’s colorful “Nu Ka Sta Para” from Cape Verde.
When it comes to visuals, the Best Music Video category is packed with stunning work. Meji Alabi’s direction of Rema’s “DND” and Nabil Elderkin’s visuals for Tyla’s “Jump” are showstoppers. TG Omori’s work on Kizz Daniel & Davido’s “Twe Twe” and Director Folex’s video for Zuchu’s “Nani” (Remix) are also pushing the boundaries of creativity.
The Best DJ category features South Africa’s Tyler ICU, Uncle Waffles, and DJ Maphorisa facing off against Nigerian heavyweights like DJ Tunez, DJ Neptune, and DJ Spinall. Meanwhile, the Best Hip Hop Artist category has serious competition with Nasty C, Didi B, Odumodublvck, Sarkodie, and Young Lunya all in the running.
In Best Global African Artist, stars like Tyla, Burna Boy, Asake, and Rema are leading the charge. The Best Male Artist category pits Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Diamond Platnumz against Ghana’s Stonebwoy and South Africa’s Dlala Thukzin. On the flip side, Tyla and Makhadzi go up against Ayra Starr and Tems for Best Female Artist.
The regional categories highlight Africa’s rich diversity. East Africa’s Diamond Platnumz and Zuchu, West Africa’s Seyi Vibez and Adekunle Gold, Southern Africa’s Tyla and Titom & Yuppe, and Francophone Africa’s Didi B and Josey all represent the best of their regions.
Voting kicks off on January 2, 2025, so make sure you cast your votes to support your favorite artists!
Here’s the full list of nominees:
