Celebrating African Excellence: Trace Awards 2025 Winners Unveiled
The Trace Awards & Summit 2025 has officially wrapped up, marking yet another extraordinary chapter in the celebration of African and Afro-descendant musical excellence.
Held at the breathtaking Mora Resort in Zanzibar, this year’s event was a true testament to the power of music in bridging cultures and bringing people together with incredible performances.
The awards ceremony not only celebrated the best in African music but also highlighted the profound impact of the continent’s artistry on the global stage.
Trace Awards 2025 Winners Are:
GLOBAL AWARDS
Song of the Year
Tito & Yuppe – Tshwala Bam (South Africa)
Album of the Year
Rema – Heis (Nigeria)
Best Collaboration
Tam Sir & Team Paiya – Coup du Marteau (Ivory Coast)
Best Music Video
Meji Alabi for Rema “DND” (Nigeria)
Best Dancer
Makhadzi (South Africa)
Best DJ
DJ Moh Green – Kelele (Algeria)
Best Hip-Hop Artist (sponsored by Hot 97)
Didi B (Ivory Coast)
PAN-AFRICAN AWARDS
Best Global African Artist
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Best Male Artist
Rema (Nigeria)
Best Female Artist
Tyla (South Africa)
Best Newcomer (sponsored by Johnnie Walker)
Himra (Ivory Coast)
Best Live Performance
Fally Ipupa (DRC)
Best Producer
P.Priime – MMS (Nigeria)
Best Gospel Artist
Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)
REGIONAL AWARDS
Best Artist Eastern Africa
Bien (Kenya)
Best Artist – Western Africa Anglophone
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Best Artist – Southern Africa
Tyler ICU (South Africa)
Best Artist – Francophone Africa
Josey (Ivory Coast)
Best Artist – Lusophone Africa
Chelsea Dinorath (Angola)
Best Artist – Tanzania
Nandy (Tanzania)
INTERNATIONAL AND DIASPORA AWARDS
Best Artist – Diaspora Europe
Joe Dwet Filé (France/Haiti)
Best Artist – Diaspora Brazil
Duquesa (Brazil)
Best Artist – Diaspora Caribbean
Kenny Haiti (Haiti)
Best Artist – Diaspora Indian Ocean
Léa Churros (Reunion)
Changemaker Award
Sherrie Silver (Rwanda)
Lifetime Achievement Award
D’Banj (Nigeria)
Olivier Laouchez, Chairman and Co-Founder of Trace, stated:
“The Trace Awards & Summit was born from an unshakable belief: that Africa’s music, its artists, and its culture deserve to be celebrated on the highest level, with the world watching. Our mission is not just to spotlight the incredible talent emerging from the continent but to create a global stage where African creativity is recognized, respected, and rewarded. Trace has always been driven by a deep passion for the music and culture of Africa and its diaspora, and we remain committed to elevating it to new heights.”
Follow the Trace Awards & Summit on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube | Hashtags: #TraceAwardsZanzibar and #TraceSummitZanzibar
