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WIYAALA PICKS 4 NOMINATIONS AT AFRIMA

By Francis Doku
Press Release Mike Dada, AFRIMA Executive Producer addressing the press
SEP 28, 2014 LISTEN
Mike Dada, AFRIMA Executive Producer addressing the press

BUDDING Ghanaian female music artiste Wiyaala has along with industry big guns Sarkodie, EL and Manifest made it to the list of nominees for the maiden All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).

The event which will take place in Lagos, Nigeria on Sunday, November 9, 2014 also has some big name African artistes such as Angelique Kidjo, Mafikizolo, Davido, P-Square, 2Face, Don Jazzy, Fally Ipupa, Tiwa Savage and Zahara as nominees.

Wiyaala had four nominations viz. Best Female Artiste in West Africa with Rock My Body, Most Promising Artiste in Africa with Rock My Body, Best African Reggae, Ragga and Dancehall with Rock My Body and Revelation of the African Continent with Rock My Body.

Sarkodie was nominated for Best Male Artiste in West Africa with Adonai while EL and Manifest were both nominated in the Best African Hip-hop category with Ayayaa and Someway Bi respectively.

Another Ghanaian who was nominated is Bro Philemon. His collaboration with Morris Baby Face on It Is Well got him a nomination in the Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music category for AFRIMA 2014.

The nominees' list of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, was unveiled this week during a world press conference held at Protea Hotel Leadway, Lagos, Nigeria addressed by the Executive Producer and President of AFRIMA Mike Dada, Director Brand Communication & Sponsorship, Matlou Tsotetsi, Chairman, International Media Committee, Steve Ayorinde and Co-Producer/Country Director, Nigeria, Kingsley James and others.

Matlou Tsotetsi said at the press conference that that the jury panel adhered strictly to the entry submission requirements while being guided by AFRIMA's core values of FACE IT –Fairness, Authenticity, Creativity, Excellence, Integrity and Transparency.

“The adjudication panel of jurors consisting of experienced names in the continental and global music industry were in Lagos in July to evaluate the submitted works. The entries which made the laid down criteria and qualified on merit were shortlisted based on their scores and this was sent to our Kenya-based auditors who then tabulated these scores. The result is what we are presenting today,” she added.

On his part, Mike Dada said the AFRIMA voting online platform will open on Tuesday, September 30 for the five-week voting process, while encouraging the public, fans and followers of African music to visit the AFRIMA website, www.afrima.org, to view the nominees in the 30 categories of the award and vote for their favourite artiste (s).

“For the 2014 edition, the award project opened entries on May 15 and closed the submission of entries on July 21 in the process receiving a staggering total of 2,025 works for assessment submitted by African music industry artistes, professionals and journalists,” Dada said.

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The five regions of Africa gave an impressive account of their respective music industry as the 2014 Nominees' List of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, was unveiled today, September 23, 2014 during a world press conference held at Protea Hotel Leadway, Lagos, Nigeria.

Present for the AFRIMA Panel of Jurors at the unveiling event was jury member Mr. Oscar Kidjo, a seasoned music producer, representing West Africa (Benin Republic). Also representing the International Committee of AFRIMA were: Executive Producer/President, Mike Dada; Director Brand Communication & Sponsorship, Matlou Tsotetsi; Chairman, International Media Committee, Steve Ayorinde and Co-Producer/Country Director, Nigeria, Kingsley James. Other attendees included African music industry personalities, heads of partner corporate organisations and music industry stakeholders.

Although popular names in the continental music industry showed up on the highly-anticipated Nominees' List of the awards project that is rewarding excellence by budding and established music professionals as well as journalists, the nominations of a generous number of emerging African artistes in many award categories threw more excitement into the unveiling event witnessed by local and international press as well as critical stakeholders in the music industry.

Among the well-known African music names on the nominees list are: Mafikizolo (South Africa) 6 nominations, Davido (Nigeria) 6 nominations, Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) 2 nominations, Amr Diab (Egypt) 2 nominations, Zahara (South Africa) 3 nominations, Angelique Kidjo (Benin Republic) 2 nominations, Fally Ipupa (DRC) 1 nomination, Sakordie (Ghana) 1 nomination, Tiwa Savage (Nigeria) 2 nominations, Uhuru (South Africa) 5 nominations and Mi Casa (South Africa) 4 nominations. Leading the budding music acts on AFRIMA Nominees' List is: TemiDollFace (Nigeria) 4 nominations, others are Wiyaala (Ghana) 4 nominations; Patoranking (Nigeria) 2 nominations; Davina Green (Zimbabwe) 1 nomination and Noura Mint Seymale (Mauritania) 2 nominations, among others.

Heavyweight African music producer, Don Jazzy (Nigeria) made the Africa Producer of the Year category for the song 'Eminado' alongside top contenders: Robbie Malinga & Mojela Thebe (South Africa) for 'Impilo'; Oskido and Shizzi (Nigeria) for 'Tchelete'; Mikky Me (Nigeria) 'Down' and Del'B (Nigeria) for 'Pull Over'.

Giving details into the criteria by which the nominees list emerged, Matlou Tsotetsi explained that the jury panel adhered strictly to the entry submission requirements while being guided by AFRIMA's core values of FACE IT –Fairness, Authenticity, Creativity, Excellence, Integrity and Transparency. “The adjudication panel of jurors consisting of experienced names in the continental and global music industry were in Lagos in July to evaluate the submitted works. The entries which made the laid down criteria and qualified on merit were shortlisted based on their scores and this was sent to our Kenya-based auditors who then tabulated these scores. The result is what we are presenting today”, Ms. Tsotetsi stated.

While 30 of the 33 award categories will be open for voting by the public and AFRIMA Academy of Voters, Mike Dada revealed that recipients of the AFRIMA Legend Award and the Africa Entertainment/Music Journalist Award will be decided by the International Committee of AFRIMA and announced at the main awards ceremony on Sunday, November 9, 2014.

Mike Dada said further that the AFRIMA voting online platform will open on Tuesday, September 30 for the five-week voting process, while encouraging the public, fans and followers of African music to visit the AFRIMA website, www.afrima.org, to view the nominees in the 30 categories of the award and vote for their favourite artiste (s).

For the 2014 edition, the award project opened entries on May 15 and closed the submission of entries on July 21 in the process receiving a staggering total of 2,025 works for assessment submitted by African music industry artistes, professionals and journalists.

The AFRIMA Jury, made up of seasoned African industry practitioners, were in Lagos, Nigeria, between July 31 to August 6 for the week-long adjudication of entries from artistes, songwriters, video directors, producers as well as journalists. In addition to Oscar Kidjo, the other jury members include: Kawesa Richard (Uganda) Eastern Africa; Tabu Osusa (Kenya) Eastern Africa; Laolu Akintobi (Nigeria) Western Africa; Robert Esong Ekukole (Cameroon), Central Africa; Kiki Toure (Equatorial Guinea) Central Africa; Delani Makhalima (Zimababwe) Southern Africa; Chris Syren (South Africa) Southern Africa; Angela Martins African Union Commission; Rab Bakari (USA) Diaspora and Rita Ray (UK), Diaspora. The result of the Jury's work and the thorough collation by AFRIMA's Kenya-based internal auditors has produced the AFRIMA 2014 Nominees' List.

Nominees are vying for the coveted AFRIMA trophy in 33 categories divided into the regional and continental categories and including the AFRIMA Legend Award –a honour for a great African who has contributed immensely to the advancement of African music, the creative sector in general and impacted on the positive image of the continent and its global reckoning.

The continental award categories are: Best Male Artiste – Inspirational Music, Best Female Artiste – Inspirational Music, Best Inspirational Music Group, Best Traditional African Artiste, Best African Contemporary Artiste, Most Promising African Artiste, Revelation of the Year, Producer of the Year, Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year, Video of the year, Song Writer of the Year, Album of the Year, R 'n' B Song of the Year, Pop Song of the Year, Rap Song of the Year, Collaboration of the Year, Best African Ragga/Reggae/Dancehall Song, Best African Group, Music/Entertainment Journalist of the Year and AFRIMA Legend Award.

Regional categories are: Best Male Artiste East Africa, Best Female Artiste East Africa, Best Male Artiste Central Africa, Best Male Artiste Central Africa, Best Female Artiste Central Africa, Best Male Artiste Southern Africa, Best Female Artiste Southern Africa, Best Male Artiste North Africa, Best Female Artiste North Africa, Best Male Artiste West Africa, Best Female Artiste West Africa,

In partnership with the African Union Commission, All Africa Music Awards promises to be a premium star-studded event on November 9, preceded by the AFRIMA Music Village between November 4 and 7, a four-day festival style open concert of non-stop music, fanfare and exhibition from countries in Africa and performances by African artistes. There will also be an African Music Summit, November 6 to 7, themed “Reviving the Business of Music in Africa”. The two-day conference will be a platform for the music industry stakeholders to engage and deliberate on how the industry can be nurtured and be a major contributor to national and continental economies.

CATEGORY: BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN CENTRAL AFRICA

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Betty Akna Equatorial Guinea Lembo La Mboka Ame
Reniss Cameroon C'est La Vie
Marole Tchamba Cameroon Sacre Cameroun
Mani Bella Cameroon Pala Pala Woman
Laurette La Perle Democratic Republic of Congo Terminus
Gasandji Democratic Republic of Congo Libela

CATEGORY: BEST MALE ARTISTE IN CENTRAL AFRICA

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Fally Ipupa Democratic Republic of Congo Original
Stanley Enow Cameroon Hein Pere
Krash Le Grav K feauturing Koba Gabon Desole
Ben Armstrong Cameron Young Prince

CATEGORY: BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN EASTERN AFRICA.

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Jackie Chandiru Uganda Champion
Kaz Kenya Niokoe
Muthoni the Drummer Queen Kenya Nai Ni Ya Who
Size 8 Kenya Moto
Vanessa Mdee Tanzania Come Over
Wahu Kenya For You

CATEGORY: BEST MALE ARTISTE IN EASTERN AFRICA.

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Dan Aceda Kenya An E Yo
Diamond Platnumz Tanzania Number One
Dr. Jose Chameleone Uganda Tubonge
Kidum Burundi Hali Na Mali
Maurice Kirya Uganda The Blue Dress
Peter Msechu, featuring Amini Tanzania Nyota

CATEGORY: BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN NORTH AFRICA.

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Aziza Brahim Western Sahara Julud
Cheba Kheira Algeria Chelfaouia
Noura Mint Seymale Mauritania Tzenni
Samira Said Morocco Mazal

CATEGORY: BEST MALE ARTISTE IN NORTH AFRICA

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Ahmed Soultan Morocco It's Alright
Amr Diab Egypt El Leila
Cheb Bilal Algeria Ma Nansakch
Hakim Egypt Efred
MC Majhoul Algeria Ktabi

CATEGORY: BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Cindy Munyavi Zimbabwe Parere Moyo
Dama Do Bling Mozambique Me Luv It
Lira South Africa Something Inside So Strong
Lizah James, featuring Uhuru Mozambique Quem Ti Mandou
Mampi Zambia Love Recipe
Zahara South Africa Impilo

CATEGORY: BEST MALE ARTISTE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA.

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Eddy Tussa Angola Margaride
Heavy K, featuring Professor South Africa Beautiful War
Jah Prayzah Zimbabwe Tsviriyo
Kueno Aionda Angola Isabel
Lawi Malawi Whistle Song
The Dogg, featuring Chesta Namibia Nuka

CATEGORY: BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN WEST AFRICA.

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Angelique Kidjo Benin Shango Wa
Chidinma, featuring Flavour Nigeria Oh Baby
Wiyaala Ghana Rock My Body
Niyola Nigeria Toh Bad
Omawumi Nigeria Megbele
Tiwa Savage, featuring Don Jazzy Nigeria Eminado

CATEGORY: BEST MALE ARTIST IN WEST AFRICA

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Sarkodie, featuring Castro Ghana Adonai
DJ Arafat Cote devoire Gbinchin pintin
Darey Nigeria Special Fever
Davido Nigeria Skelewu
Flavour Nigeria Ada Ada
2Face Nigeria Dance in the Rain

CATEGORIES: ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Album Country Artiste
Merchants, Dealers & Slaves Nigeria Brymo
Phendula South Africa Zahara
Reunited South Africa Mafikizolo
Stand Like Giants South Africa The Parlotones
Baddest Guy Ever Liveth (BGEL) Nigeria Olamide

CATEGORIES: SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

SONGWRITER(S) COUNTRY TRACK
Bulelwa Mkutukana South Africa Impilo
David Adeleke, Nhlanhla Nciza & Theo Kgosinkwe Nigeria & South Africa Tchelete
Kingsley Okonkwo & Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun Nigeria Pull Over
Olawale Ashimi Nigeria Down
Paul Okoye & Peter Okoye Nigeria Personally
The Parlotones, Khuli Chana, Jon Savage & J. Nobrega South Africa Sleepwalker

CATEGORY: BEST AFRICAN GROUP/ DUO/BAND

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Diali Cissokho & Kaira Ba Senegal Mbolo
Mafikizolo, featuring May D South Africa Happiness
Mi Casa South Africa Jika
P-Square Nigeria Personally
Sauti Sol Kenya Nishike
Uhuru, featuring DJ Buckz, Oskido, Professor & Uri-Da-Cunh South Africa Y-tjukutja

CATEGORY: BEST AFRICAN COLLABORATION

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Davido, and Mafikizolo Nigeria & South Africa Tchelete
Diamond Platnumz, featuring Davido Tanzania & Nigeria Number One
DJ Clock, featuring Beatenberg South Africa Pluto
Uhuru, featuring DJ Bucks, Oskido,Professor & Uri-Da-Cunh South Africa Y-tjukutja
D'Banj and Friends 19 countries in Africa Cocoa Na Chocolate
Mavins /Don Jazzy Nigeria Dorobucci

CATEGORY: MOST PROMISING ARTISTE IN AFRICA

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Coda South Africa Fat Boy
Davina Green Zimbabwe Everytime
Isabel Novella Mozambique Moya
Kakana Mozambique Xiluva
TemiDollFace Nigeria Pata Pata
Wiyaala, featuring Jupitar Ghana Rock My Body

CATEGORY: BEST AFRICAN CONTEMPORARY

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Angelique Kidjo Benin Shango Wa
Olamide Nigeria Eleda Mi
Erna Chimu Namibia Chant
Gasandji Democratic Republic of Congo Libela
Kakana Mozambique Xiluva
Tsedenia Ethiopia Yefikir Girma

CATEGORY: BEST AFRICAN ELECTRO

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
ACoda South Africa Fat Boy
Goldfish South Africa Three Second Memory
Mi Casa South Africa Jika
Taps Zimbabwe When You Said Goodbye
The Dogg, featuring Chest Namibia Nuka
Uhuru, featuring DJ Buckz, Oskido, Professor & Uri-Da-Cunh South Africa Y-tjukutja

CATEGORY: BEST AFRICAN HIP-HOP (SONG)

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
E.L. Ghana Ayayaa
Ice Prince Nigeria Jambo
Davido Nigeria Aiye
Khuli Chana, featuring KayGizm & Fifi Cooper South Africa Mnatebawen
Manifest Ghana Someway Bi
Muthoni the Drummer Queen Kenya Nai Ni Ya Who

AFRIMA 2014: NOMINEES LIST

CATEGORY: BEST AFRICAN POP (A SONG)

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Carlprit, featuring Jaicko Zimbabwe Remember to Forget
DJ Clock, featuring Beatenberg South Africa Pluto
Elani Kenya Kookoo
Mafikizolo, featuring May D South Africa Happiness
P-Square Nigeria Personally
TemiDollFace Nigeria Pata Pata

AFRIMA 2014: NOMINEES LIST

CATEGORY: BEST AFRICAN REGGAE, RAGGA & DANCEHALL

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Buffalo Souljah Zimbabwe Basawine
Burna Boy Nigeria Yawa Dey
Dama Do Bling Mozambique Me Luv It
Patoranking Nigeria Girlie O
Radio & Weasel Uganda Breath Away
Wiyaala, featuring Jupitar Ghana Rock My Body

AFRIMA 2014: NOMINEES LIST

CATEGORY: BEST AFRICAN RNB & SOUL

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Davina Green Zimbabwe Everytime
Isabel Novella Mozambique Moya
Maurice Kirya Uganda The Blue Dress
2Face Nigeria Dance in the Rain
Vanessa Mdee Tanzania Come Over
Wahu Kenya For You

AFRIMA 2014: NOMINEES LIST

CATEGORY: BEST AFRICAN TRADITIONAL

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Adjiboye Benin Inna
Cheb Bilal Algeria Ma Nansakch
Yinka Ayanda Nigeria Ise Mi
Hakim Egypt Efred
Noura Mint Seymale Mauritania Tzenni
The Nile Project Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda Bi Wele Wele

AFRIMA 2014: NOMINEES LIST

CATEGORY: BEST AFRICAN ROCK

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Dear Zim Zimbabwe Indiana
Shadow Club South Africa Melanielectriclove
Shaun Jacobs South Africa End of the Road
The Parlotones, featuring Khuli Chana South Africa Sleepwalker
Van Coke Kartel South Africa Moregloed

AFRIMA 2014: NOMINEES LIST

CATEGORY: BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN AFRICAN INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Gore Rapera, featuring Jah Prayzah Zimbabwe Fungisai
Maréma Senegal Femme d'affaires
Monique Nigeria Power Flow
Nikki Laoye Nigeria Only You
Sessime Benin My Praise
Size 8 Kenya Moto

AFRIMA 2014: NOMINEES LIST

CATEGORY: BEST MALE ARTISTE IN AFRICAN INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Benjamin Dube, featuring Nomakhuze Ndabula South Africa Yebo Linamandla
Bro Philemon, featuring Morris Baby Face Ghana It is Well
Flo Nigeria Twale
Pitson Kenya Lingale Ya Yeso
Jimmy Gait, featuring Papa Dennis Pitson Kenya Makekes
Sebastian Magacha Zimbabwe 1+1

AFRIMA 2014: NOMINEES LIST

CATEGORY: BEST VIDEO

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
BazaSon & Principlez, featuring Sinayo Mhaya South Africa  

Afrika

Bez Nigeria Say
Chidinma, featuring Flavour Nigeria Oh Baby!
Mi Casa South Africa Jika
P-Square Nigeria Personally
TemiDollFace Nigeria Pata Pata

AFRIMA 2014: NOMINEES LIST

CATEGORY: REVELATION OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENT

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Patoranking Nigeria Girlie O
Elani Kenya Kookoo
Isabel Novella Mozambique Moya
Temidolface Nigeria patapata
Wiyaala, featuring Jupitar Ghana Rock My Body
Kakana Mozambique Kakana

AFRIMA 2014: NOMINEES LIST

CATEGORY: SONG OF THE YEAR

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Davido Nigeria Aye
Uhuru South Africa Y-tjukutja
P-square Nigeria Personally
Yemi Alade Nigeria Johnny
The Parlotones, featuring Khuli Chana South Africa Sleepwalker
Davido and Mafikizolo Nigeria & South Africa Tchelete
Kcee featuring Wizkid Nigeria Pull Over
Mi Casa Jika South Africa

AFRIMA 2014: NOMINEES LIST

CATEGORY: BEST TRADITIONAL AFRICAN MUSIC

ARTISTE COUNTRY TRACK
Cheb Bilal Algeria Ma Nansakch
Hakim Egypt Efred
Adjiboye Benin Inna
Yinka Ayanda Nigeria Ise MI
Noura Mint Seymale Mauritania Tzenni
The Nile Project Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda Bi Wele Wele

AFRIMA 2014: AFRIMA NOMINEES LIST

CATEGORY: PRODUCER OF THE YEAR.

PRODUCER(S) COUNTRY TRACK
Del'B Nigeria Pull Over
Don Jazzy Nigeria Eminado
Mikky Me Nigeria Down
Robbie Malinga and Mojalefa Thebe South Africa Impilo
Oskido and Shizzi Nigeria Tchelete
Vtek, Charles Duke, Mecca E,

Oscar, Rudeboy and Mr P
Nigeria Personally

AFRIMA 2014; NOMINEES LIST

ARTISTE OF THE YEAR

ARTISTE COUNTRY
Angelique Kidjo Benin
P-Square Nigeria
Uhuru South Africa
Amr Diab Egypt
Maurice Kirya Uganda
Zahara South Africa
Mi Casa South Africa
Dan Aceda Kenya
Davido Nigeria
Mafikizolo South Africa
Tiwa Savage Nigeria

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