Davido, Asake, others bag nods at maiden Trace Awards

Prominent Nigerian musicians including Burna Boy, Davido, Asake, Ayra Starr, among others, are among nominees for the inaugural edition of The Trace Awards, which is set to hold on October 21, 2023, at the BK Arena, in Kigali, Rwanda.

The event will celebrate the creativity, talent and influence of African and Afro-inspired music and culture. It will be broadcast live to some 500 million people in 190 countries.

The awards will also celebrate genres such as Afrobeats, Dancehall, Hip Hop, Mbalax, Amapiano, Zouk, Kizomba, Genge, Coupé Décalé, Bongo Flava, Soukous, Gospel, Rap, Rai, Kompa, R&B and Rumba.

That West African artists, particularly Nigerian musicians are leading the nominees roll call underscores the global popularity of Afrobeats with more than 40 nominations in total – including multiple nominations for Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Davido, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Fireboy DML and Rema. Among the iconic nominations includes Burna Boy and Davido who are both nominated in the “Best Male,” “Song of the Year,” “Best Live,” “Best Collaboration,” “Best Artist,” and “Album of the Year” categories, respectively.

Speaking about the awards, Trace Chairman and Co-founder, Olivier Laouchez, told Weekend Beats: “The Trace Awards’ nominations salute achievement and excellence from more than 150 performers, producers, DJs, writers, composers, directors, established artists and rising stars, and their management and labels. We congratulate all the nominees, most of whom will attend and perform in Kigali on 21 October. It will be an unmissable experience for lovers of African and Afro-inspired music.”

Competing in 22 award categories are platinum-selling artists from more than 30 countries in Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean and Europe. The winners’ trophy was designed by acclaimed Congolese sculptor and designer Dora Prevost.

Apart from musicians on the continent, the diverse music of the African diasporas is represented by acclaimed nominees from France, Brazil, the UK, the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean, including Stormzy (UK), Aya Nakamura (France), Leo Santana (Brazil) and Shenseea (Jamaica), among others.