The second edition of the Trace Awards took place on Wednesday, February 26, at The Mora Resort in Zanzibar, Tanzania. It celebrated the best of African music, bringing together artistes from across the continent with performances from Black Sherif, Fally Ipupa, Innoss’B, Gaz Mawete, Diamond Platnumz, Alikiba, Zuchu, Marioo, Nandy, Rema, Yemi Alade, Wally Seck, Titom & Yuppe, and Bien. 

The event brought together the biggest stars in the industry to celebrate the incredible achievements of African artists, producers, and performers. This year’s event highlighted the continent’s growing global influence, with Afrobeats, amapiano, and various African music genres taking centre stage.

The ceremony was hosted by Nigerian singer D’banj, aka Bangalee, and media personality Aaliyah Mohamed.

Nigerian Grammy-nominated artiste Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, took home the Album of the Year category for his sophomore album, HEIS, which was also nominated at this year’s Grammy Awards ceremony and the Best Male Artiste award.

South African duo Titom & Yuppe took home the coveted Song of the Year award for their smash hit ‘Tshwala Bam’, a track that ignited dance floors across the globe.

Tanzanian sensation Diamond Platnumz continued his global domination, winning Best Global African Artist

D’banj won the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Mercy Chinwo won the Best Gospel Music award category amidst her record label disputes.

Among female artists, South Africa’s Tyla was named Best Female Artist, a well-deserved recognition for her originality and unique style that has captivated listeners worldwide. Nigerian gospel singer Mercy Chinwo took home the Best Gospel Artist award, touching hearts with her soulful and uplifting music.

Regional winners included Ivorian singer Josey, who was crowned Best French-Speaking Artist, and Nigerian sensation Ayra Starr, who continues to dominate West Africa with her powerful voice and hit songs. In Southern Africa, Tyler ICU secured the award, affirming his place as a key player in the region’s music scene.

P.Prime won Best Producer for his work on “MMS” by Asaka, featuring Wizkid.

Full list of nominees and winners

Song of the Year
Titom & Yuppe – ‘Tshwala Bam’ (South Africa) (Winner)
Tyla – ‘Jump’ (South Africa)
Tyler ICU – ‘Mnike’ (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
Rema – Heis (Nigeria) (Winner)
Burna Boy – I Told Them (Nigeria)
Asake – Lungu Boy (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
Tamsir and Team Paiya – ‘Coup du Marteau’ (Ivory Coast) (Winner)
Titom, Yuppe and Burna Boy – ‘Tshwala Bam’ (Remix) (South Africa/Nigeria)
Neyna and MC Acondize – ‘Nu Ka Sta Para’ (Cape Verde)
Kocee ft. Patoranking – ‘Credit Alert’ (Cameroon/Nigeria)
Asake and Wizkid – ‘MMS’ (Nigeria)
Rema and Shallipopi – ‘Benin Boys’ (Nigeria)
Odumodublvck and Black Sherif – ‘Woto Woto Seasoning’ (Ghana)

Best Music Video
Meji Alabi – Rema ‘DND’ (Nigeria) (Winner)
TG Omori – Kizz Daniel & Davido ‘Twe Twe’ (Nigeria)
Director Folex – Zuchu feat Innoss’ B ‘Nani’ (Remix) (Tanzania/DRC)
Nabil Elderkin – Tyla ‘Jump’ (South Africa)
Kmane – Ayra Starr ‘Commas’ (Nigeria)
Seoute Emmanuel – Toofan ‘C Pas Normal’ (Togo)
Ach’B – Innoss’ B ‘Sete’ (DRC)
Edgar Esteves – Asake & Wizkid ‘MMS’ (Nigeria)

Best Dancer
Makhadzi (South Africa) (Winner)
Ikorodu Boys (Nigeria)
Dancegod Lloyd (Ghana)
Incredible Zigi (Ghana)
Kamo Mphela (South Africa)
Telminho (Angola)
Ordinateur (Ivory Coast)
Issac Kalonji (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Best DJ
DJ Moh Green – ‘Kelele’ (Algeria) (Winner)
Tyler ICU – ‘Mnike’ (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles – ‘Wadibusa’ (South Africa)
DJ Tunez – ‘Apala Disco Remix’ (Nigeria)
DJ Nelasta – ‘Eros’ (Angola)
DJ Spinall ft. Tyla and Omah Lay – ‘One Call’ (Nigeria)
DJ Neptune ft. Qing Madi – ‘Honest’ (Nigeria)
DJ Maphorisa – ‘Mnike’ (South Africa)
Kabza De Small – ‘Imithandazo’ (South Africa)

Best Hip Hop Artist (sponsored by Hot 97)
Didi B (Ivory Coast) (Winner)
Nasty C (South Africa)
Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
Suspect 95 (Ivory Coast)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Young Lunya (Tanzania)
Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa)

Pan-African Awards (Best Global African Artist)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) (Winner)
Tyla (South Africa)
Tyler ICU (South Africa)
Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Asake (Nigeria/USA)
Rema (Nigeria)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)

Best Male Artist
Rema (Nigeria) (Winner)
Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Asake (Nigeria)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Stonebwoy (Ghana)

Best Female Artist
Tyla (South Africa) (Winner)
Makhadzi (South Africa)
Chelsea Dinorath (Angola)
Josey (Ivory Coast)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Tems (Nigeria)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

Best Live Performance
PhillBill (Cameroon)
Best Artist (Lusophone Africa)
Chelsea Dinorath (Angola) (Winner)
Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe)
Landrick (Angola)
Twenty Fingers (Mozambique)
Mr Bow (Mozambique)
Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)

Best Artist (Tanzania)
Nandy (Tanzania) (Winner)
Mbosso (Zanzibar)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Zuchu (Zanzibar)
Marioo (Tanzania)
Alikiba (Tanzania)
Jux (Tanzania)
Harmonize (Tanzania)

International and Diaspora Awards: Best Artist (Europe)
Joe Dwet File (France/Haiti) (Winner)
Central Cee (United Kingdom)
Kalash (France/Martinique)
Darkoo (United Kingdom)
Jungeli (France)
Franglish (France)
Aya Nakamura (France/Mali)

Best Artist (Brazil)
Duquesa (Brazil) (Winner)
Racionais MC’s (Brazil)
MC IG (Brazil)
Péricles (Brazil)
Tasha and Tracie (Brazil)
Ludmilla (Brazil)

Best Artist (Caribbean)
Lea Churro (Reunion Island) (Winner)
Venssy (French Guiana)
Mathieu White (Guadeloupe)
Meryl (Martinique)
Nesly (French Guiana)
Shenseea (Jamaica)
Kenny Haiti (Haiti)

Best Artist (Indian Ocean)
Barth (Reunion) (Winner)
Goulam (Comoros)
PLL (Reunion)
Kalipsxau (Reunion)
Léa Churros (Reunion)
Jamily Jeanne (Mauritius)

Lifetime Achievement Award
D’Banj (Winner)