The 2025 Trace Awards: Nigerian Stars Shine Bright in Zanzibar’s Big Night of African Music
The highly anticipated 2025 Trace Awards are here, and Nigerian artists are once again dominating the spotlight, proving their influence on the global music scene. Set to take place on February 26 in Zanzibar, the awards ceremony will be accompanied by a music summit celebrating the talent, innovation, and cultural impact of African music.
From Burna Boy to Rema, Asake, Tems, and Yemi Alade, Nigeria’s brightest stars have secured nominations in multiple categories, reflecting their artistry and chart-topping hits.
The Hits That Made the Cut
In the Song of the Year category, Nigerian hits are front and center with:
- Asake & Travis Scott – “Active”
- Rema & Shallipopi – “Benin Boys”
- Tems – “Love Me Jeje”
- Burna Boy – “Higher”
These tracks go head-to-head with other African bangers, including Diamond Platnumz’s “Komasawa” and South Africa’s Tyler ICU’s “Mnike.”
Albums That Ruled the Airwaves
In the coveted Album of the Year category, Nigerian artists continue to flex their dominance with:
- Asake’s “Lungu Boy”
- Rema’s “HEIS”
- Burna Boy’s “I Told Them”
They face stiff competition from Ghanaian heavyweights like Amaarae (“Fountain Baby”) and Stonebwoy (“5th Dimension”), among others.
Big Names in Collaboration
The Best Collaboration category showcases the power of partnerships with standout tracks such as:
- Asake & Wizkid – “MMS”
- Rema & Shallipopi – “Benin Boys”
- Odumodublvck & Black Sherif – “Woto Woto Seasoning”
Who’s the Best of the Best?
Nigeria dominates the Best Male Artist category with nominees like Rema, Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Asake, while the ladies hold their ground in the Best Female Artist category, featuring Yemi Alade, Tiwa Savage, Ayra Starr, and Simi.
A Night of Glamour and African Excellence
The Trace Awards is more than just a ceremony—it’s a celebration of Africa’s influence on the global stage. With stunning performances and a gathering of the continent’s finest talents, the event promises to be unforgettable.
Who will take home the biggest honors? Will Nigeria sweep the awards? Stay tuned for the full list of winners on February 26, 2025, as Zanzibar becomes the heartbeat of African music.
Check out the full list of nominees and let us know your predictions!
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)
Best Collaboration
- Titom & Yuppe ft. Burna Boy – “Tshwala Bam (Remix)” (South Africa/Nigeria)
- Neyna & MC Acondize – “Nu Ka Sta Para” (Cape Verde)
- Kocee ft. Patoranking – “Credit Alert” (Cameroon/Nigeria)
- Asake & Wizkid – “MMS” (Nigeria)
- Rema & Shallipopi – “Benin Boys” (Nigeria)
- Odumodublvck & Black Sherif – “Woto Woto Seasoning” (Nigeria/Ghana)
- Tamsir & Team Paiya – “Coup du Marteau” (Ivory Coast)
Best Male Artist
- Rema (Nigeria)
- Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Wizkid (Nigeria)
- King Promise (Ghana)
- Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
- Asake (Nigeria)
Best Female Artist
- Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
- Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
- Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
- Zuchu (Tanzania)
- Simi (Nigeria)
- Makhadzi (South Africa)
- Josey (Ivory Coast)
Best Music Video
- Amaarae – “Co-Star” (Ghana)
- Asake – “Lonely At The Top” (Nigeria)
- Diamond Platnumz – “Komasawa” (Tanzania)
- Tyla – “Jump” (South Africa)
- Tiwa Savage ft. Asake – “Loaded” (Nigeria)
- Davido – “Feel” (Nigeria)
- Rema – “Charm” (Nigeria)
Best New Artist
- Shallipopi (Nigeria)
- Uncle Waffles (South Africa)
- Black Sherif (Ghana)
- Spyro (Nigeria)
- Kocee (Cameroon)
- Teniola Aladese (Nigeria)
- Neyna (Cape Verde)
Best Artist (Francophone Africa)
- Josey (Ivory Coast)
- Didi B (Ivory Coast)
- Tayc (Cameroon)
- Koffi Olomidé (Congo)
- Fally Ipupa (Congo)
- Tamsir (Senegal)
- Toofan (Togo)
Best Artist (Anglophone Africa)
- Rema (Nigeria)
- Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Asake (Nigeria)
- Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
- Sauti Sol (Kenya)
- Amaarae (Ghana)
Best African DJ
- Uncle Waffles (South Africa)
- DJ Spinall (Nigeria)
- DJ Neptune (Nigeria)
- DJ Lag (South Africa)
- DJ Aroma (Ghana)
- DJ Kess (Ghana)
- DJ Kaneda (Angola)
Best Artist (Diaspora)
- Tems (Nigeria/USA)
- Burna Boy (Nigeria/USA)
- Tiwa Savage (Nigeria/UK)
- J Hus (UK)
- Headie One (UK)
- Stormzy (UK)
- Aya Nakamura (France)
