… As 13-Year-Old Singer, Shanah Manjeru, from Kenya Emerges Youngest Ever AFRIMA Winner

The biggest Music Awards in Africa, All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 2021 ended on Sunday, November 21, 2021, after four days of scintillating and world- class production of events as Iba One, Wizkid, Nikita Kering, Fally Ipupa, Mahadzi, Blaq Diamond, koffi Olomide and other African music superstars within the continent and the Diaspora were recognized and celebrated for their creativity through music. AFRIMA 2021 held from November 18- 21 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria with live broadcast on 84 television stations in 109 countries.

The surprise of the night was Malian Singer, Iba One who emerged the top winner in five categories including ‘Best Male Artiste in Western Africa’, ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Best Artiste, Duo, or Group in African Pop’. He also won in the ‘Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music’ and ‘Songwriter of the Year’ categories.

Wizkid who was nominated in six categories followed closely, winning in the ‘Best African Collaboration’, ‘Song of the Year’, and ‘Artiste of the Year’ categories with his hit song, ‘Essence’ featuring Tems. Kenyan teenage singer, Nikita Kering bagged two awards in ‘Best Female Artiste in Eastern African’ and “Best Artiste, Duo, or Group in African RnB’ categories. AFRIMA 2021 youngest nominee, 13-year-old Shanah Manjeru from Kenya emerged as the winner in the ‘Best African Female Artiste in Inspirational Music’ category.

Winners in other categories of the award are ‘Best Male Artiste in Northern Africa’ (Dizzy Dros – Morocco),  ‘Best Female Artiste in Western Africa’ (Djelykaba Bintou – Guinea), ‘Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Traditional’ (Yonas Maynas -Eritrea), ‘Breakout Artiste of The Year’ (Djelykaba Bintou-Guinea), ‘Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Jazz’ (Hornsphere-Kenya), ‘Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa’ (Cleo Ice Queen-Zambia), ‘Best African Artiste, Rapper or Lyricist’ (Elow’n -Cote D’Ivoire), ‘Best African DJ’(Dj Sinyorita-Tanzania), ‘Best African Video’ (Steven Awuku-Guinea), ‘Best Female Artiste in Northern Africa’ (Manal-Morocco), ‘Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Reggae, Ragga’ (Stonebwoy feat. Davido – Ghana), ‘African Fans Favourite’ (Fireboy DML-Nigeria), ‘Best Male Artiste in Central Africa’(Fally Ipupa feat. Dadju-Congo, Democratic Republic), and “Best African Artiste, Duo, Group or Band’ (Sauti Sol feat. Bensoul, Nviiri The storyteller -Kenya).

 The well attended event had dignitaries from all walks of life including ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps from 18 countries, chief executive of corporations, African Union Commission officials, executives of music labels and recording companies as well musicians across the world.

Other winners according to the result presented by the global auditing firm, Pricewaterhousecoopers (PWC) are ‘Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa’ (Eddy Kenzo-Uganda), ‘Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Rock’ (RASH-Kenya), ‘Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa’(Blaq Diamond -South Africa), ‘Best Global Act’ (Beyonce feat. Wizkid, Blue Ivy Carter & SAINt JHN-United States), ‘Best Female Artiste in Central Africa’-(Shan’L  feat. Fally Ipupa – Gabon), ‘Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Contemporary’ (Majoos feat. Koffi Olomide-Congo, Democratic Republic), ‘Producer of the Year’ (Legendury Beatz-Nigeria), ‘Best Female African Act in Diaspora’ (Naomi Achu-Cameroon/United States), ‘Most Promising African Artiste’ (El Grande Toto feat. Damso-Morocco), ‘Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Electro’ (Makhadzi feat. Mr Brown-South Africa), ‘Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Dance or Choreography’ (Flavour feat. Fally Ipupa & Diamond Platnumz-Nigeria), ‘Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Hip Hop’ (Cheque feat. Fireboy DML-Nigeria), and ‘Best Male African Act in Diaspora’ (Rotimi-Nigeria/United States).

For her role in the movement to make Juneteenth a national holiday in commemoration of the June 19, 1865 announcement of General Order No. 3 by Union Army general, Gordon Granger, proclaiming freedom for slaves in Texas, African-American 95-year-old activist, Opal Lee was given a lifetime achievement award at AFRIMA 2021. The award was received by her granddaughter who came into Lagos from the United States. Congolese Soukus singer, dancer, producer, and composer, Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba, known professionally as Koffi Olomide received AFRIMA 2021 Legend Award.

The award ceremony which was preceded by red carpet was electrified by many artistes with performances from Shanah, Patoranking, Makhadzi, Ruger, Zuchu, Ladipoe, Olakira, Chike, Blaq Diamond, Platini P, Calema, Remy Adan, Nomcebo of the Jerusalema fame, Zoe Modiga, Sorais Ramos, D’Banj, Cavemen and Aramide who rendered a song in honour of the late Sound Sultan and other music super stars that died in the year under review and during COVID-19 pandemic.

The President and Executive Producer of AFRIMA, Mike Dada, said: “AFRIMA was created to tell a positive African story through music rather than complain and lament about the negative perception of the continent by others.”

Since 2014, AFRIMA in conjunction with the African Union Commission has been regarded as the ultimate celebration of African talent in the continent and the Diaspora.