AFRIMA returns with new categories as entries open

For its seventh edition, the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) has returned with three new award categories, celebrating the best Soundtrack in a motion picture (film/documentary/series), Global Sound, as well as Breakout Artiste of the year. The new categories stretch the legacy of the continental music awards ceremony, which have spotlighted the best in music within the African scene, from the 40 different categories awarded.

The Jury noted that the new categories were selected to capture all aspects of music including its utilization in the movie industry and in recognition of the waves being made by African artists in the world.

“The scope of music industry is becoming increasingly broad, with multiple expressions of music and complex production techniques becoming more popular, and it is AFRIMA’s mandate to support the music industry in Africa, thus, the need to recognize and reward some of these talented productions,” AFRIMA International Jury member, Hadja Kobele, explained as inspiration behind the new categories.

“The category for Best Soundtrack in a movie/series/Documentary is awarded to the best substantial body of music in the form of dramatic underscoring written specifically for the film by the submitting composer. Some pre-existing music is allowed, though, but a contending film must include a minimum of original music.

“While Best Global Sound will be awarded to the artists who primarily are not African, but whose songs have received widespread recognition in Africa and around the world. Breakout Artiste of the Year is awarded to a new artist whose songs have received widespread recognition within their career span.” She concluded,” she continued.

Also, entries for the awards have begun since June and would close on August 20, 2021. The entries can be done on www.afrima.org, for Artistes, Disc Jockeys, music producers, songwriters, dancers/choreographer, and video directors to submit their works which must have been produced or released in the year in review from June 1, 2020 to August 20,2021.

All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, is in partnership with the African Union Commission.