Davido and Rema scored big at the Trace Awards in Kigali on Saturday 21 October 2023. Davido took home the prizes for Best Male, and shared Best Collaboration with South Africa’s Musa Keys for “Unavailable”. Rema scored in the Global African Artist, and Song of the Year categories, with “Calm Down”. “Love Damini” by Burna Boy scored the prize for Best Album and Vivian Chidid received the plaudits for Best Female.
The Best Artist – East Africa was won by Diamond Platnumz, while Rwandan local hero Bruce Melodie triumphed in the Best Rwandan Artist category. Didi B took home the silverware for Ivory Coast as Best Artist Africa – Francophone, while his fellow countrymen KS Bloom and Tam Sir scored in the Best Gospel Artist, and Best Producer categories, respectively. Lisandro Cuxi was named Best Artist Africa – Lusophone.
Recognising his long and storied music career, Nigeria’s 2Face took home the prize for Lifetime Achievement. Rutshelle Guillance was named as Best Artist – Caribbean, while Goulam triumphed as Best Artist – Indian Ocean, and Dystinct won Best Artist – North Africa. Yemi Alade’s hit “Baddie” took home the prize for Best Video.
Music maker and entrepreneur, Mr Eazi, took home a special ChangeMarker award for his philanthropic work. Looking further north, British rapper Central Cee triumphed as Best Artist – UK, while Tayc took home the trophy for Best Artist – France & Belgium. Ludmilla took home the trophy for Best Artist – Brazil and Michael Brun was named Best DJ for Haiti.
Competing in 26 award categories were Africa and Afro-inspired artists from more than thirty countries in Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean and Europe.
Scroll down for the full list of the winners of the Trace Awards.
| Best Female | Viviane Chidid (Senegal) | Best Artist – East Africa | Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) |
| Best Male | Davido (Nigeria) | Best Artist – France & Belgium | Tayc (France) |
| Best Global African Artist | Rema (Nigeria)
Nomcebo (South Africa) |
Best Artist – UK | Central Cee (UK) |
| Song of the Year | “Calm Down” – Rema (Nigeria) | Best Artist – The Caribbean | Rutshelle Guillaume (Haiti) |
| Best Music Video | “Baddie” – Yemi Alade (Nigeria) | Best Artist – Indian Ocean | Goulam (Comoros) |
| Best Newcomer powered by Luc Belaire | Roselyne Layo (Ivory Coast) | Best Artist – Brazil | Ludmilla (Brazil) |
| Best Collaboration powered by Martell | “Unavailable” – Davido (Nigeria) with Musa Keys (South Africa) | Best Artist – North Africa | Dystinct (Morocco) |
| Best DJ | Michael Brun (Haiti) | Best Artist Africa – Francophone | Didi B (Ivory Coast) |
| Best Producer | Tam Sir (Ivory Coast) | Best Artist Africa – Lusophone | Lisandro Cuxi (Cape Verde) |
| Best Gospel Artist | KS Bloom (Ivory Coast) | Best Artist – Rwanda | Bruce Melodie (Rwanda) |
| Best Live | Fally Ipupa (DRC) | Album of the Year | “Love Damini” – Burna Boy (Nigeria) |
| Best Dancer | Robot Boii (South Africa) | Best Artist Africa – Anglophone | Asake (Nigeria) |
| Change Maker | Mr Eazi (Nigeria) | Lifetime Achievement | 2Face |
Olivier Laouchez, Chairman and Co-Founder of Trace, commented, “Tonight has been a triumphant demonstration of the power and creativity of African and African-origin artists. All the nominees and performers at the Trace Awards underlined exactly why African contemporary music has become a global phenomenon. We congratulate all the nominees, winners and performers for their achievements and for demonstrating their talent, imagination and creativity to a global audience.”
On the night, the BK Arena resounded to contemporary rhythms and vibes from across Africa and the African diaspora. Highlights of the main show including collaborations between artists of different nationalities and music genres.
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