On 26 Feb, Trace Awards 2025 celebrated the best in African and diaspora music. The winners included entertainers like the top artists, producers, and dancers recognized for their contributions to various genres, including Afrobeats, amapiano, dancehall, and hip-hop. The event took place on Wednesday night at the Mora Resort in Zanzibar, Tanzania, bringing together talent from over 30 countries across Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, and Europe.
Who won the biggest award at Trace Awards 2025?
Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners, taking home the prestigious Album of the Year award for Heis. Renowned producer P.Priime was also honored, winning Producer of the Year for his work on MMS.
Major Category Winners at Trace Awards 2025
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 Producer
- P.Priime – MMS (Nigeria) (Winner)
- Kelvin Momo – Sewe (South Africa)
- DJ Maphorisa – Mnike (South Africa)
- Tam Sir – Coup du Marteau (Ivory Coast)
- Sarz – Happiness (Nigeria)
- Jae 5 – Perfect Combi (Ghana)
- KDDO – For Certain (Nigeria)
- London – Ozeba (Nigeria)
- Kabza De Small – Imithandazo (South Africa)
Best Dancer | Trace Awards 2025
- 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)
Regional Category Winners
Best Artist (Eastern Africa)
- Bien (Kenya) (Winner)
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
- Harmonize (Tanzania)
- Rophnan (Ethiopia)
- Marioo (Tanzania)
- Zuchu (Tanzania)
- Nandy (Tanzania)
Best Artist (Francophone Africa)
- Josey (Ivory Coast) (Winner)
- Didi B (Ivory Coast)
- Tidiane Mario (Congo)
- Gaz Mawete (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- Wally B. Seck (Senegal)
- 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)
International & Diaspora Awards | Trace Awards 2025
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 & Tracie (Brazil)
- Ludmilla (Brazil)
Best Artist (Caribbean)
- Kenny Haiti (Haiti) (Winner)
- Venssy (French Guiana)
- Mathieu White (Guadeloupe)
- Meryl (Martinique)
- Nesly (French Guiana)
- Shenseea (Jamaica)
What criteria was used to choose the Trace Awards 2025 winners?
The Trace Africa Awards 2025 not only honored the most outstanding talents but also showcased the diversity of Afro-inspired music, from Afrobeats and amapiano to zouk, reggae, and hip-hop. Organizers emphasized the importance of recognizing artists across different regions and cultural backgrounds, reinforcing the global influence of African music.
With winners spanning multiple continents, the event highlighted the ongoing impact of African and diaspora musicians in shaping the world’s music scene.
