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AFRIMA 2016… Soweto Gospel Choir, Manu Dibango, others come to town

By Editor
15 October 2016   |   12:38 am
As celebrities and stakeholders in the music industries from across Africa gear up for this year’s All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), the International Committee of AFRIMA...
Soweto Gospel Choir

Soweto Gospel Choir

As celebrities and stakeholders in the music industries from across Africa gear up for this year’s All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), the International Committee of AFRIMA, in association with the Africa Union Commission (AUC) and the Official Host City, Lagos State, recently revealed an unprecedented stellar line up of top billed African stars for the ceremony billed for November 6, at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The list include AFRIMA 2016 nominees and multiple award-winning South African choral group, Soweto Choir, who have confirmed attendance at the main awards ceremony, which is preceded by the AFRIMA Music Village, a concert event at the WaterFront, Bar Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. In addition to the 22-man Soweto Gospel Choir, over 352 African superstars will be attending the award’s programme of events, which opens on November 4.

Known as the most decorated choral group in Africa, having won multiple awards including Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album, Blessed and African Spirit, in 2007 and 2008 respectively, Soweto Gospel Choir is ensembles blend elements of African gospel, Negro spirituals, Reggae and American Popular Music.

Confirming their performance, Executive Producer/Director Soweto Choir, Beverly Bryer, stated, “Soweto Choir is honoured to have been nominated at the AFRIMA in 2015 and to perform at the AFRIMA 2016; we look forward to returning to Lagos for this exciting event.”

Other nominees billed to attend or perform at the awards ceremony on November 6 and the AFRIMA Music Village on Friday November 4, 2016 respectively include the Afrobeat crown prince and four-time Grammy Award nominee, Femi Kuti (Nigeria) and Manu Dibango (Cameroon), whose song Soul Makossa has influenced several popular music hits, including Michael Jackson’s Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin, as well as his re-recording of that song with Akon, the Fugees’ Cowboys, Rihanna’s Don’t Stop the Music and comedian Eddie Murphy in his 1982 parody song, Boogie in your butt.

Meanwhile, AFRIMA 2016 nominees with six nominations, Eddy Kenzo (Uganda) will be in attendance with other top nominees from Eastern Africa including; Alikiba, Diamond Platnumz, Bebe Cool, Victoria Kimani, Jose Chamelone, Vanessa Mdee, Cindy Sanyu, Caniel Lubwama Kigozi, Evelyn Wanjiru, Irene Ntale, Kuseim, Navio, Papa Dennis and Rigan Sarkozi, Zina Daoudia, Ziza Bafana, While Northern Africa nominees include; DJ Van, Ayman Alatar, Ahmed Soultan, Sarah Ayoub, Zina Daoudia and Sarah Ayoub.

Nominees from West Africa include D’banj VVIP, Flavour, Tiwa Savage, Sakordie, Kiss Daniel. Aramide, Brymo, Clarence Peters, Dark Suburb, Phyno, Brymo, Wiyaala, Tekno, Fortune Dane, Mabiisi, Mex, Niniola, Nuru, Okyeame Kwame, Iyanya, Pascal Aka, Ric Hassani, Seyi Shay, Simi, Tjan, Ycee, Zeynab, Kiff No Beat, H Magnum.

Other confirming attendance from Southern Africa are Anatii, Cassper Nyovest, AKA, M’vula, Black Coffee, CiCi Bala, Dizu Plaatjies, Lizha James, Moreira Chonguica, Sally Boss Madam, Zani challe, Bruna Titiana, Kunle Ayo, with Central Africa region include,  Bruna Tatiana, Bruna Tatiana, Daphne, Franko, Icha Kavons, Jizzle, M” vula, Montess, Naomi Achu, Stanley Enow, Stypak Samo, Syssi Mananga, T smallz, Wax Dey among others.

This year’s awards will be broadcast live at 1930hr WAT to over 84 countries on 109 television stations across the world with the support of AFRIMA media partners in Lagos, Nigeria on Sunday November 6 with red carpet starting at 4.30pm.

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