The 2021 All Africa Music Awards (also known as AFRIMA), were held on November 21, at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, Nigeria. This marked the fifth time in eight years that the venue is hosting the show. The show was hosted by South African actress Pearl Thusi, and British-Congolese comedian Eddie Kadi.
The ceremony, under the theme ‘Still We Sing’, was broadcast on DSTV channel 198, GOTV 98, HIPTV, TVC, PlusTV Africa, AIT and AfroMusicPop among others. AFRIMA has taken place each year since 2014, except in 2020, owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
Iba One from Mali, and Wizkid were the most awarded artists of the night with five and three awards respectively, followed by Kenya's Nikita Kering. Beyoncé bagged the ‘Best Global Act’ award, as the D.R. Congo's Koffi Olomide was gifted the "Legend Award".
Winners and nominees Nominations were announced on September 22, 2021, by the International Committee of All Africa Music Awards. Leading the list of nominees was South African duo, Blaq Diamond with eight nominations, followed by Focalistic with seven. Wizkid, Omah Lay and Gyakie followed, with six, four and three nominations respectively. Voting for the 28 continental and 10 regional award categories took place from September 27, 2021.
Winners are listed first and in bold.
+ List of winners and nominees for the 2021 All Africa Music Awards REGIONAL AWARDS Best Female in Central Africa Best Male in Central Africa Shan'L - Gabon Anna Joyce - Angola Blanche Bailly - Cameroon Charlotte Dipanda - Cameroon Edmazia Mayembe - Angola Eyango - Cameroon Mimi - Cameroon Rebo Tchulo - DR Congo Perola - Angola T'neeya - Cameroon Fally Ipupa - DR Congo C4 Pedro - Angola Calema - São Tomé and Príncipe Ferre Gola - DR Congo GIMS - DR Congo Inoss'B - DR Congo Koffi Olomide - DR Congo Locko - Cameroon Rui Orlando - Angola Salatiel & Rutshelle Guillaume - Cameroon Best Female in Eastern Africa Best Male in Eastern Africa Nikita Kering - Kenya Afrie - Uganda Karun - Kenya Merry Zerabruk - Eritrea Nandy (singer) - Tanzania Rema Namakula - Uganda Rosa Ree - Tanzania Spice Diana - Tanzania Xenia Mannasseh - Kenya Zuchu - Tanzania Eddy Kenzo - Uganda Bensoul - Kenya Darassa - Tanzania Diamond Platnumz - Tanzania Harmonize - Tanzania Lij mic - Ethiopia Meddy - Rwanda Nviiri The Storyteller - Kenya Rayvanny - Tanzania Sauti Sol - Kenya Best Female in Northern Africa Best Male in Northern Africa Manal - Morocco Abir Yacht - Morocco Emel Mathlouthi - Tunisia Haidy Moussa - Egypt Jaylan - Morocco Latifa - Tunisia Nada - Morocco Salma Rachid - Morocco Ruby - Egypt Samira Said - Egypt Dizzy - Morocco Amr Diab - Egypt DJ Moh Green - Algeria Hamza El Fadly - Morocco Klay BBJ - Tunisia L7OR - Morocco Mohamed Ramadan (feat. Maitre Gims) - Egypt & DR Congo Muslim - Morocco Soolking - Algeria Zouhair Bahaoui - Morocco Best Female Southern Africa Best Male Southern Africa Cleo Ice Queen - Zambia Busiswa - South Africa DJ Zinhle - South Africa Kamo Mphela - South Africa Kelly Khumalo - South Africa Makhadzi - South Africa Nomcebo Zikode - South Africa Sha Sha (singer) - Zimbabwe Shekinah - South Africa Tamy Moyo - Zimbabwe Zanda Zakuza - South Africa Blaq Diamond - South Africa Casper Nyovest - South Africa Dj Tarico - Mozambique Focalistic - South Africa Jah Prayzah - Zimbabwe Major League DJz - South Africa Mapara A Jazz - South Africa Mi Casa - South Africa Mr JazziQ - South Africa Nasty C - South Africa Sun-El Musician - South Africa Best Female Western Africa Best Male Western Africa Djelykaba Bintou - Guinea Aya Nakamura - Mali Gyakie - Ghana Josey - Ivory Coast Manamba Kanté - Guinea Niniola - Nigeria Soraia Ramos - Cape Verde Tems - Nigeria TENI - Nigeria Tiwa Savage - Nigeria Yemi Alade - Nigeria Iba One - Mali Burna Boy - Nigeria Davido - Nigeria Djodje - Cape Verde KiDi - Ghana MHD (rapper) - Guinea Nelson Freitas - Cape Verde Olamide - Nigeria Omah Lay - Nigeria Stonebwoy - Ghana WizKid - Nigeria CONTINENTAL AWARDS African Fan's Favourite Album of the Year Fireboy DML - Nigeria Dadju - DRC Buju - Nigeria Dj Cleo - South Africa Guchi - Nigeria Kikimoteleba - Ivory Coast Master KG - South Africa Rexxie - Nigeria Ali Kiba - Tanzania Zinoleesky - Nigeria Iba One - 'Mon Empire' - Mali Aya Nakamura - 'Aya (album)' - Mali Burna Boy - 'Twice as Tall' - Nigeria Davido - 'A Better Time' - Nigeria Fally Ipupa - 'Tokooos II' - DRC Maitre Gims - 'Le Fleau' - DRC MHD (rapper) - 'Mansa' - Guinea Olamide - 'Carpe Diem (Olamide album)' - Nigeria Tayc - 'Fleur Froide' - Cameroon Tiwa Savage - 'Celia (album)' - Nigeria Wizkid - 'Made In Lagos' - Nigeria Best African Act in the Diaspora (Female) Best African Act in the Diaspora (Male) NAOMI ACHU - Cameroon / United States ABIR - Morocco / United States Aya Nakamura (feat. Stormzy) - Mali / France Ms Banks - Nigeria / United Kingdom Nata - Sierra Leone / United States Rimon (feat. EarthGang) - Eritrea/Netherlands Shaybo (feat. haile) - Nigeria / United Kingdom Rotimi - Nigeria & United States Nelson Freitas - Cape Verde & Portugal Dave (feat. Stormzy) Clash Nigeria & United Kingdom Double S - Uganda & United Kingdom Headie One (ft. Burna Boy) - Ghana & United Kingdom JAE5 (feat. Skepta, Rema (musician)) - Ghana & United Kingdom MHD (rapper) (feat. Tiakola) - Guinea & France Tayc - Cameroon & France Tion Wayne & Russ Millions - Nigeria & UK Artiste of the Year Best African Collaboration WizKid - Nigeria Aya Nakamura - Mali Blaq Diamond - South Africa Burna Boy - Nigeria Davido - Nigeria Diamond Platnumz - Tanzania Fally Ipupa - DR Congo Focalistic - South Africa Makhadzi - South Africa MHD (rapper) - Guinea Omah Lay - Nigeria Wizkid (feat. Tems) - 'Essence (song)' - Nigeria Bella Shmurda, Zlatan & Lincoln - 'Cash App' - Nigeria Calema (feat. Pérola, Soraia Ramos & Manecas Costa) Kua Buaru São Tomé and Príncipe, Angola, Cape Verde & Guinea Bissau Diamond Platnumz (feat. Koffi Olomide) - 'Waah' - Tanzania & DR Congo Dj Tarico (feat. Burnaboy, Preck & Nelson Tivane) - 'Yaba buluku (remix)' - Mozambique & Nigeria Focalistic & Davido [Feat. Vigro Deep] - 'Ke Star (Remix)' - South Africa & Nigeria Gyakie (feat. Omah Lay) - 'Forever (remix)' - Ghana & Nigeria Ladipoe (feat. Buju) - 'Feeling' - Nigeria Mohamed Ramadan (feat. Maitre Gim) - 'Ya habibi' - Egypt & DR Congo Nandy (feat. Joeboy) - 'Number One' - Tanzania & Nigeria Shan'L (feat. Fally Ipupa) - 'Où est le mariage' - Gabon & DR Congo Best African DJ Best African Group, Duo or Band Dj Sinyorita - Tanzania DJ Moh Green - Algeria Black Coffee - South Africa DJ Cuppy - Nigeria Dj Impossible - Angola DJ KayWise Ft Phyno - Nigeria Dj Mix premier - Côte d'Ivoire Dj Sly - Ghana DJ SPINALL - Nigeria Major League DJz & Abidoza - South Africa Sauti Sol - Kenya Ajebo Hustlers (feat. Omah Lay) - Nigeria B2C Entertainment (Kampala Boys) - Uganda Blaq Diamond - South Africa Calema (feat. Pérola, Soraia Ramos & Manecas Costa) Kua Buaru São Tomé and Príncipe Cavemen Selense Nigeria Chelsy & Nsoki Vou Arriscar Angola Mi Casa - South Africa The Isomers - Nigeria Toofan - Togo Best African Rapper of Lyricist Best African Video Elow'n - Côte d'Ivoire A-Q - Nigeria Dip Doundou Guiss - Senegal Khaligraph Jones - Kenya Ko-C - Cameroon Ladipoe - Nigeria Nasty C - South Africa Nata - Sierra Leone Sarkodie - Ghana Vector - Nigeria Steven Awuku - Kobolé - King Alasko - Guinea Dammy Twitch - Berna Reloaded -Flavour (musician) feat. Fally Ipupa & Diamond Platnumz) - Nigeria Director Kenny - Waah - Diamond Platnumz feat. Koffi Olomide - Tanzania Kwanda Lima - Djodje - Bella - Cape Verde Hosssam L Hossainy - Ya Habibi (Maitre Gims & Mohammed ramadan) - Egypt Rex - Show body (Kuami Eugene feat. Falz) - Ghana Prior Gold - Abule - Patoranking - Nigeria Roadman - Nairobi - Bensoul (feat. Sauti Sol, Nviiri the Storyteller, Mejja - Kenya Unlimited - LA Paloma (Mr. P (singer) feat. Singah) - Nigeria Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African R&B Soul Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Reggae, Ragga or Dancehall Nikita Kering - Ex - Kenya Adekunle Gold (feat. Lucky Daye) - Sinner - Nigeria Aya Nakamura(feat. Stormzy) - Plus Jamais - Mali Djodje Tempo Sabi - Cape Verde Elaine (singer) - Right now - South Africa Gyakie (feat. Omah Lay) Forever (remix) - Ghana Oxlade (singer) - Ojuju - Nigeria Tems - Damages (song) - Nigeria T'neeya - Dark Twisted Fantasy - Cameroon Wizkid (feat. Tems) - 'Essence (song)' - Nigeria Stonebwoy (feat. Davido) - Activate - Ghana A2 Di Fulani - ta tewto - The Gambia Bebe Cool - make a wish - Uganda EXQ Ft Tock Vibes - Wakatemba - Zimbabwe Mykey Shewa - Fendata - Ethiopia Natty O - Safe - Zimbabwe Patoranking - Abule - Nigeria Rosa Ree (rapper) - That Gal - Tanzania Ruger - Bounce - Nigeria Shatta Wale 1 Don Ghana Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Dance or Choreography Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Hip Hop Flavour (musician) feat. Fally Ipupa & Diamond Platnumz) - Berna Reloaded - Nigeria Diamond Platnumz feat. Koffi Olomide - Waah - Tanzania Dwp Academy, Dancegod lloyd & AfroBeast - Corner der - Ghana Focalistic & Davido (Feat. Vigro Deep) - 'Ke Star (Remix)' - South Africa Innoss'B - Meme - DR Congo Rayvanny - Kelebe - Tanzania Rebo Tchulo - Mbote - DR Congo Yemi Alade - Dancina - Nigeria Safarel Obiang - Chara dance - Ivory Coast Cheque (feat. Fireboy DML) History Nigeria A-Q (feat. Chike) - Breath - Nigeria Black Sherif - Second Sermon - Ghana Blaqbonez (feat. Amaarae & Buju) - Bling - Nigeria Blxckie (feat. Nasty C) - Ye x4 - South Africa Cassper Nyovest (feat. Busiswa & Legendary P) - Nokuthula - South Africa Ko-C - President Du Rap publique - Cameroon Rosa Ree (rapper) - Satan - Tanzania Vector(feat. GoodGirl LA) - Early Momo - Nigeria Yaw Tog (feat. Stormzy & Kwesi Arthur) - Sore (Remix) - Ghana Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Jazz Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Rock Hornsphere - Dance - Kenya Bokani Dyer - Kalakuta - South Africa Franck Biyong - Eulogy for biafra - Cameroon Jimmy Dludlu - tara tara - Mozambique Made Kuti - Free your Mind - Nigeria Olu - god save the queen - Nigeria Thandi Ntuli - Dikeledi - South Africa Tomi Owo - Beautiful - Nigeria Zoe Modiga - Umdali - South Africa RASH - Structures - Kenya Dark Suburb - Kelewele - Ghana Franck Biyong - Peace in Limbe - Cameroon Tetu Shani - Furukazi - Kenya The Isomers - Beat Time - Nigeria Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Traditional Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Contemporary Yonas Maynas - Hamida - Eritrea Ayeah Leonnette - Nini - Cameroon Cavemen - Osondu - Nigeria Kcee & Okwesili Eze Group - Cultural Praise Vol.1 - Nigeria kid tini ft sbahle - Amen - South Africa K1 De Ultimate - Ade Ori Okin - Nigeria Larry Gaaga (feat. Umu Obiligbo & Davido) - Doubting Thomas - Nigeria Malome Vector - Nobody - South Africa Meselu Fantahuh - Yawokebetina - Ethiopia Paulo Flores - Semba Original - Angola SHANAH - God Will Make A Way - Kenya SHIVANAH - Africa - Uganda Majoos (feat. Koffi Olomide) - Ndoto - DR Congo Soolking - Fada - Algeria Borgia (feat. Jack Inga) - Ngayi - DR Congo Chike(feat. Simi) - Running to you - Nigeria Ferre Gola - Regarde Moi - DR Congo Kizz Daniel - LIE - Nigeria Locko - Au Mariage de ma Go - Cameroon Lojay & SARZ - Monalisa - Nigeria Platini P - Atansiyo - Rwanda Salatiel (feat. Rutshelle Guillaume) - Good Girl - Cameroon Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Electro Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Pop Makhadzi - South Africa Wally Seck - Senegal Casper Nyovest - South Africa Nomcebo Zikode - South Africa Dj Tarico - Mozambique Kamo Mphela - South Africa Naira Marley - Nigeria Focalistic - South Africa Niniola - Nigeria Mapara A Jazz - South Africa Iba One (feat. Oumou Sangare) Education Mali Abir Yacht - Morocco Bella Shmurda - Nigeria