AFRIMA released the full nominees’ list for its 2022 edition. This follows a call for submission made in July 2022. The upcoming edition will award top African entertainers within the period of review – 20th August 2021 to 5th August 2022.
While the competition is tight among the 39 categories, several Kenyans have nominations this year. Starting off, are the regional categories. Tanasha Donna, Muthaka and Nikita Kering’ are on the run for the Best Female Artist (Eastern Africa) award. This is for the songs Maradonna, Sorry and Last Name in that order. The Best Male Artist (Eastern Africa) category, has Bien and Nyashinski for Bald Men Anthem and Properly respectively.
Continental Categories
As for the continental categories, Bey T scooped a spot in the Best African Act In Diaspora (Female) selection for Unanicheza featuring Boohle. Kenyans in the Best African Band, Duo, or Group category are Umoja Sounds and Wanavokali for Happy and What A Time respectively.
Femi One, Mbithi, and King Kaka have a nomination in the Best Artist, Duo, or Group in African Reggae, Ragga, Dancehall category for Hepi. While RnB singer Bridget Blue has several nominations including Best Artist, Duo, or Group category courtesy of her hit Goodbye.
Top rock band and past AFRIMA winners RASH Band are shining bright in the Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Rock category courtesy of Far Beyond. The Songwriter of the Year category features 2 Kenyans. Bridget Blue and J Blessing for the song Woman and Mordecai ‘Dex’ Mwini courtesy of the song Reason by Wanavokali.
That is not all as Bridget Blue and Janet Otieno have slots in The Best Female in Inspirational Music category for the songs Woman and Siri respectively. On the other hand, Noel Nderitu a nomination for his song Waweza in the male category for the same.
AFRIMA 2022 Entry Tally & Award Gala
According to AFRIMA this edition which is its 9th received a total of 9,067 entries. This makes it the highest number ever recorded by the awards, since its inception. The 12-member jury settled for 382 nominations drawn across 39 categories, to represent all five regions, including the diaspora.
In terms of the regional tallies, the Western African region leads with 134 nominations. Eastern African region follows with 69 nominations. Then comes the Southern African region racing closely with 68 nominations. While Central Africa has 52 nominations and lastly, the Northern African region follows closely with 49 nominations.
The public voting portal for the 2022 AFRIMA will be open on 25th September 2022, at 12:00 pm CAT. African music lovers within and outside the continent, are welcome to vote on the official AFRIMA website. Voting closes at 12.00 (CAT), December 10, 2022. The winners will be awarded at the Gala scheduled for 8th to 11th December 2022.
