The entertainment industry in Kenya came together to celebrate music, culture and artistic excellence at the Trace Awards Tour in Kenya. The event was organised by Johnnie Walker, the headline sponsor for the Trace Awards Summit and Awards 2025, in partnership with Trace and Airtel Africa.
The Trace Music Awards Tour was held to honour celebrated artist Bien Aime, the sole Kenyan nominee in the prestigious Best Artist – Eastern Africa category at the upcoming Trace Music Awards.
The Trace Awards 2025 will honour outstanding achievements in African music across 24 categories and the ceremony will take place on February 26, 2025. You can vote for your favourite African musicians here traceawards.plus. Voting closes on February 15, 2025.
Speaking at the event, Alvin Mbugua, General Manager, Spirits, EABL, reaffirmed the brand’s long-standing commitment to supporting the creative economy in Africa. He emphasised how Johnnie Walker aligns with artistic progress and is dedicated to championing African creativity on the global stage.
“At EABL, we recognise that supporting this industry goes beyond sponsorship; it is about creating sustainable opportunities and platforms where talent can thrive. Through Johnnie Walker, we continue to invest in live events and artistic collaborations, ensuring that African creativity reaches new heights. In line with this vision, we are excited to announce the launch of the Johnnie Walker Afro-Exchange initiative in 2025. This unique platform will unite African talents across music, art, and fashion, fostering co-creation and collaboration while expanding Africa’s influence on the global creative landscape,” said Alvin.
Danny Mucira, Managing Director, Trace Eastern Africa, highlighted the importance of platforms such as the Trace Music Awards Tour in recognising and celebrating African artists.
“We are proud to witness the continuous growth of African artistes on the global stage. Events like these reaffirm our commitment to providing platforms where artistes can shine, collaborate, and expand their reach. Bien Aime’s nomination is a testament to the exceptional talent coming out of this region, and we are honoured to celebrate his journey with the industry,” said Danny.
Danny Mucira, Managing Director at Trace Eastern Africa, Alvin Mbugua, General Manager for Spirits at EABL, and Bien Aime
The Trace Awards and Summit 2025 which will take place on February 24–26, 2025 at the Mora Zanzibar Resort. The event will be a celebration of Africa music. Johnnie Walker sponsoring two awards i.e. Song of the Year and Best Newcomer.
The Trace Summit 2025 will be a two-day summit will bring together creative minds, industry leaders, and cultural enthusiasts for thought-provoking discussions, masterclasses, and panels. Topics will range from technology’s role in the creative economy to branding strategies and the future of African entertainment.
The Trace Awards 2025 will honour outstanding achievements in African music across 24 categories and the ceremony will take place on February 26, 2025.
Global awards (7)
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 & 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 (Ghana), Tamsir & Team Paiya – Coup du Marteau (Ivory Coast).
Best Music Video: Meji Alabi for Rema – DND (Nigeria), TG Omori for Kizz Daniel & Davido – Twe Twe (Nigeria), Director Folex for Zuchu feat Innoss’ B – Nani (Remix) (Tanzania/DRC), Nabil Elderkin for Tyla – Jump (South Africa), Kmane for Ayra Starr – Commas (Nigeria), Seoute Emmanuel for Toofan – C Pas Normal (Togo), Ach’B for Innoss’ B – Sete (DRC), Edgar Esteves for Asake & Wizkid – MMS (Nigeria).
Best Dancer: Ikorodu Boys (Nigeria), Dancegod Lloyd (Ghana), Incredible Zigi (Ghana), Kamo Mphela (South Africa), Telminho (Angola), Makhadzi (South Africa), Ordinateur (Ivory Coast), Issac Kalonji (Democratic Republic of Congo).
Best DJ: Tyler ICU – Mnike (South Africa), Uncle Waffles – Wadibusa (South Africa), DJ Tunez – Apala Disco Remix (Nigeria), DJ Nelasta – Eros (Angola), DJ Spinall ft. Tyla & Omah Lay – One Call (Nigeria), DJ Neptune ft. Qing Madi – Honest (Nigeria), DJ Moh Green – Kelele (Algeria), DJ Maphorisa – Mnike (South Africa), Kabza De Small – Imithandazo (South Africa).
Best Hip-Hop Artist (sponsored by Hot 97): Nasty C (South Africa), Didi B (Ivory Coast), Odumodublvck (Nigeria), Suspect 95 (Ivory Coast), Sarkodie (Ghana), Young Lunya (Tanzania), Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa).
Best Global African Artist: Tyla (South Africa), Tyler ICU (South Africa), Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo), Burna Boy (Nigeria), Asake (Nigeria/USA), Rema (Nigeria), Ayra Starr (Nigeria), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania).
Best Male Artist: Dlala Thukzin (South Africa), Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Asake (Nigeria), Burna Boy (Nigeria), Rema (Nigeria), Wizkid (Nigeria), Stonebwoy (Ghana). Best Female Artist: Tyla (South Africa), Makhadzi (South Africa), Chelsea Dinorath (Angola), Josey (Ivory Coast), Ayra Starr (Nigeria), Tems (Nigeria), Yemi Alade (Nigeria).
Best Newcomer (sponsored by Johnnie Walker): Nkosazana Daughter (South Africa), Himra (Ivory Coast), Sabrina (Cameroon), Mia Guissé (Senegal), Shallipopi (Nigeria), Qing Madi (Nigeria), Abigail Chams (Tanzania).
Best Live Performance: Fally Ipupa (DRC), Ayra Starr – 21: The World Tour (Nigeria), Burna Boy – I Told Them (Nigeria), Tyla (South Africa), Yemi Alade – African Rebel Tour (Nigeria), Didi B – Mojo Trone Tour (Ivory Coast), Diamond Platnumz – Wasafi Festival (Tanzania).
Best Producer: Kelvin Momo – Sewe (South Africa), P.Priime – MMS (Nigeria), DJ Maphorisa – Mnike (South Africa), Tam Sir – Coup du Marteau (Ivory Coast), Sarz – Happiness (Nigeria), Jae 5 – Perfect Combi (Ghana), KDDO – For Certain (Party Next Door) (Nigeria), London – Ozeba (Nigeria), Kabza De Small – Imithandazo (South Africa).
Best Gospel Artist: Spirit of Praise 10 (South Africa), KS Bloom (Ivory Coast), Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria), Ada Ehi (Nigeria), Bella Kombo (Tanzania), Israël Mbonyi (Rwanda).
Best Artist – Eastern Africa: Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Bien (Kenya), Joshua Baraka (Uganda), Harmonize (Tanzania), Rophnan (Ethiopia), Marioo (Tanzania), Zuchu (Tanzania), Nandy (Tanzania).
Best Artist – Western Africa Anglophone: Seyi Vibez (Nigeria), Adekunle Gold (Nigeria), Ayra Starr (Nigeria), Tems (Nigeria), Chike (Nigeria), Simi (Nigeria), KiDi (Ghana).
Best Artist – Southern Africa: Titom & Yuppe (South Africa), De Mthuda (South Africa), Inkabi Zezwe (South Africa), Dlala Thukzin (South Africa), Tyla (South Africa), Uncle Waffles (South Africa), Tyler ICU (South Africa).
Best Artist Francophone Africa: Didi B (Ivory Coast), Josey (Ivory Coast), Tidiane Mario (Congo), Gaz Mawete (Democratic Republic of Congo), Wally B. Seck (Senegal), PhillBill (Cameroon).
Best Artist Lusophone Africa: Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe), Landrick (Angola), Chelsea Dinorath (Angola), Twenty Fingers (Mozambique), Mr. Bow (Mozambique), Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde).
Best Artist – Tanzania: Mbosso (Zanzibar), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Zuchu (Zanzibar), Marioo (Tanzania), Nandy (Tanzania), Alikiba (Tanzania), Jux (Tanzania), Harmonize (Tanzania).
Best Artist – Europe: Central Cee (United Kingdom), Kalash (France/Martinique), Darkoo (United Kingdom), Joe Dwet File (France/Haiti), Jungeli (France), Franglish (France), Aya Nakamura (France/Mali).
Best Artist – Brazil: Racionais MC’s (Brazil), MC IG (Brazil), Péricles Best Artist – Caribbean: Venssy (French Guiana), Mathieu White (Guadeloupe), Meryl (Martinique), Nesly (French Guiana), Shenseea (Jamaica), Kenny Haiti (Haiti).
Best Artist – Indian Ocean: Barth (Reunion), Goulam (Comoros), PLL (Reunion), Kalipsxau (Reunion), Léa Churros (Reunion), Jamily Jeanne (Mauritius).
Trace Awards nominees for 2025
Pan-African Awards (7)
Regional Awards (6)
International and Diaspora Awards (4)
(Brazil), Tasha & Tracie (Brazil), Ludmilla (Brazil), Duquesa (Brazil).