By: Natasha Archary

Davido and Rema scored twice at the Trace Awards in Rwanda on Saturday, 21 October.
Both African music stars took home two awards each at the glitzy awards ceremony which took place in Kigali.
Davido was awarded Best Male, and shared Best Collaboration with South Africa’s Musa Keys for their hit, Unavailable.
Rema scored in the Global African Artist, and Song of the Year categories for his universal hit track, Calm Down.
In September, Rema and Selena Gomez won best Afrobeats song for thir global hit collaboration on “Calm Down” at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.
Other artists who were recognized for their contribution to the music industry this year includes Burna Boy who won the coveted Best Album title for Love Damini.
Chairman and Founder of Trace, Olivier Laouchez, said the awards were a testament to the power and creativity of African and African-origin artists.
“Tonight has been a triumphant demonstration of the power and creativity of African and African-origin artists.
All the nominees and performers at the Trace Awards underlined exactly why African contemporary music has become a global phenomenon.
We congratulate all the nominees, winners and performers for their achievements and for demonstrating their talent, imagination and creativity to a global audience.”
Diamond Platnumz won Best Artist for East Africa, while Rwandan local, Bruce Melodie triumphed in the Best Rwandan Artist category.
Didi B took home the silverware for Ivory Coast as Best Artist Africa – Francophone, while his fellow countrymen KS Bloom and Tam Sir scored in the Best Gospel Artist, and Best Producer categories, respectively. Lisandro Cuxi was named Best Artist Africa – Lusophone.
Recognising his long and storied music career, Nigeria’s 2Face took home the prize for Lifetime Achievement.
Rutshelle Guillance was named as Best Artist – Caribbean, while Goulam triumphed as Best Artist – Indian Ocean, and Dystinct won Best Artist – North Africa. Yemi Alade’s hit “Baddie” took home the prize for Best Video.
Music maker and entrepreneur, Mr Eazi, took home a special ChangeMarker award for his philanthropic work.
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