The Trace TV Awards 2023, held in the vibrant city of Kigali, Rwanda, was a night to remember.
The event celebrated the best in African and Afro-influenced music, bringing together a plethora of talent from across the continent and the diaspora.
Rema and Davido emerged as the top winners, each taking home two awards.
This article provides a comprehensive list of the winners and delves into the highlights of the event.
The Big Winners: Rema and Davido
Rema, the young Nigerian sensation, won the prestigious ‘Song of the Year’ award for his global hit “Calm Down,” and shared the ‘Best Global African Artist’ award with Nomcebo. A remix of “Calm Down” featuring Selena Gomez climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, solidifying Rema’s international acclaim.
Davido, a powerhouse in the African music scene, clinched the ‘Best Male’ and ‘Best Collaboration’ awards. His collaboration with Musa Keys on “Unavailable” was particularly celebrated.
Album of the Year: Burna Boy’s “Love Damini”
Burna Boy’s “Love Damini” took home the ‘Album of the Year’ award, a well-deserved win for the Nigerian superstar. The album showcases Burna Boy’s unique sound and solidifies his position as a major player in the global music scene.
A Night of Stellar Performances
The Trace Awards were not just about the awards; they were also a celebration of African music and culture. The event featured performances by approximately 50 Africa and Afro-inspired artists, including Yemi Alade, Mr Eazi, and Diamond Platnumz.
Honoring the Legends and Change Makers
The awards also recognized the contributions of veterans and change makers in the industry. 2Face received a Lifetime Achievement Award, Mr Eazi was honored with the Change Maker Award, and both Rema and Nomcebo were celebrated as the Best Global African Artists.
The Full List of Winners
Here’s a detailed rundown of the winners across various categories:
Album of the Year
Love Damini – Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Song of the Year
“Calm Down” – Rema (Nigeria)
Best Music Video
“Baddie” – Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
Best Male
Davido (Nigeria)
Best Female
Viviane Chidid (Senegal)
Best Collaboration
“Unavailable” – Davido (Nigeria) with Musa Keys (South Africa)
Best Newcomer
Roseline Layo (Ivory Coast)
Best DJ
Michael Brun (Haiti)
Best Producer
Tam Sir (Ivory Coast)
Best Gospel Artist
KS Bloom (Ivory Coast)
Best Live
Fally Ipupa (DRC)
Best Dancer
Robot Boii (South Africa)
Best Artist Africa – Anglophone
Asake (Nigeria)
Best Artist Africa – Francophone
Didi B (Ivory Coast)
Best Artist Africa – Lusophone
Lisandro Cuxi (Cape Verde)
Best Artist – Rwanda
Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
Best Artist – East Africa
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Best Artist – France & Belgium
Tayc (France)
Best Artist – UK
Central Cee (UK)
Best Artist – The Caribbean
Rutshelle Guillaume (Haiti)
Best Artist – Indian Ocean
Goulam (Comoros)
Best Artist – Brazil
Ludmilla (Brazil)
Best Artist – North Africa
Dystinct (Morocco)
These are the winners across various categories at the Trace TV Awards 2023.