The 2025 Trace Awards have been announced with an impressive lineup of African music talents. Nigerian artists lead the charge, receiving recognition across multiple categories. The awards ceremony is set to take place on February 26 in Zanzibar, accompanied by a music summit aimed at celebrating the global impact of African music.
Spotlight on Nigerian Artists
Nigerian stars, including Burna Boy, Rema, Asake, Tems, and Yemi Alade, have been nominated in various categories, highlighting the country’s influence on the global music stage.
In the Song of the Year category, tracks like Asake and Travis Scott’s collaboration, “Active,” Rema and Shallipopi’s “Benin Boys,” and Tems’ “Love Me Jeje” are among the contenders. Burna Boy’s hit “Higher” also makes the list.
Nigerian dominance continues in the Album of the Year category, with Asake’s Lungu Boy, Rema’s HEIS, and Burna Boy’s I Told Them competing against projects by Ghanaian stars such as Amaarae’s Fountain Baby, King Promise’s True to Self, and Stonebwoy’s 5th Dimension.
Key Categories and Nominations
Song of the Year
- Tyla – “Jump” (South Africa)
- Tyler ICU – “Mnike” (South Africa)
- Titom & Yuppe – “Tshwala Bam” (South Africa)
- Tamsir x Team Paiya – “Coup du Marteau” (Ivory Coast)
- Asake & Travis Scott – “Active” (Nigeria)
- Tems – “Love Me Jeje” (Nigeria)
- Burna Boy – “Higher” (Nigeria)
- Rema & Shallipopi – “Benin Boys” (Nigeria)
- Diamond Platnumz – “Komasawa” (Tanzania)
Album of the Year
- Burna Boy – I Told Them (Nigeria)
- Asake – Lungu Boy (Nigeria)
- Rema – HEIS (Nigeria)
- Josey – Vibration Universelle (Ivory Coast)
- Amaarae – Fountain Baby (Ghana)
- King Promise – True to Self (Ghana)
- Stonebwoy – 5th Dimension (Ghana)
- Toofan – Stamina (Togo)
Top Performers in Key Categories
Best Collaboration
Nigerian artists continue to shine in collaborative projects, with highlights including:
- Titom & Yuppe ft. Burna Boy – “Tshwala Bam (Remix)” (South Africa/Nigeria)
- Asake & Wizkid – “MMS” (Nigeria)
- Odumodublvck & Black Sherif – “Woto Woto Seasoning” (Nigeria/Ghana)
Best Male Artist
- Rema (Nigeria)
- Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Wizkid (Nigeria)
- King Promise (Ghana)
Best Female Artist
- Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
- Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
- Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
- Zuchu (Tanzania)
- Simi (Nigeria)
Best Music Video
- Asake – “Lonely At The Top” (Nigeria)
- Tiwa Savage ft. Asake – “Loaded” (Nigeria)
- Rema – “Charm” (Nigeria)
Emerging Talent and Diaspora Impact
Best New Artist
- Shallipopi (Nigeria)
- Spyro (Nigeria)
- Black Sherif (Ghana)
- Uncle Waffles (South Africa)
Best Artist (Diaspora)
- Tems (Nigeria/USA)
- Burna Boy (Nigeria/USA)
- Tiwa Savage (Nigeria/UK)
Celebrating African Excellence
The 2025 Trace Awards highlight the diversity and richness of African music, with artists from Francophone, Anglophone, and Lusophone regions represented. The inclusion of a music summit promises to further elevate the platform’s role in championing African talent on the global stage.
