Nigerian Artists Dominate at the 2025 Trace Awards in Zanzibar

The 2025 Trace Awards, held on Wednesday, February 26, at Mora Resort, Zanzibar, Tanzania, showcased Nigeria’s dominance in the global music industry, with top artists securing major wins.

Biggest Winners of the Night

Rema led the pack with two awards:
- Album of the Year (Heis)
- Best Male Artist
Ayra Starr was crowned Best West African Artist
Mercy Chinwo secured Best Gospel Artist for her inspiring music
D’banj received the Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring his outstanding contributions to Afrobeats

Other Nigerian Winners

P. Prime won Best Producer (MMS)
Meji Alabi claimed Best Music Video (Rema’s DND)

Full List of Global Category Winners

Song of the Year

Titom & Yuppe – “Tshwala Bam” (South Africa)

Album of the Year

Rema – Heis (Nigeria)

Best Collaboration

Tamsir & Team Paiya – “Coup du Marteau” (Ivory Coast)

Best Music Video

Meji Alabi – Rema’s “DND” (Nigeria)

Best Dancer

Makhadzi (South Africa)

Best DJ

DJ Moh Green – “Kelele” (Algeria)

Best Hip-Hop Artist (sponsored by Hot 97)

Didi B (Ivory Coast)

Best Global African Artist

Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

Best Male Artist

Rema (Nigeria)

Best Female Artist

Tyla (South Africa)

Best Live Performance

Fally Ipupa (DRC)

Best Producer

P. Priime – “MMS” (Nigeria)

Best Gospel Artist

Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)

Regional Category Winners

Best Artist (West Africa – Anglophone): Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Best Artist (East Africa): Bien (Kenya)
Best Artist (Southern Africa): Tyler ICU (South Africa)
Best Artist (Tanzania): Nandy
Best Artist (Francophone Africa): Josey (Ivory Coast)
Best Artist (Lusophone Africa): Chelsea Dinorath (Angola)

Special Awards

Lifetime Achievement Award: D’banj (Nigeria)

The 2025 Trace Awards once again highlighted Africa’s growing influence on the global music scene, with Nigerian artists dominating across multiple categories.

The night was a celebration of Afrobeats, Amapiano, Gospel, and Hip-Hop, proving that African music continues to shape the global soundscape.