Diamond, Rayvanny, Zuchu nominated for AFRIMA awards

Public voting for the AFRIMA got underway yesterday after the African Union Commission (AUC) and the International Committee of AFRIMA released the list of nominations for the awards on September 22. 

Over 400 artists across Africa and the Diaspora submitted 8880 songs to be adjudicated and among those were seven Tanzanian artists.

Here is a breakdown of the nominations which include Tanzanian artists.

For the ‘Best Female Artist in East Africa's category, nominees from Tanzania include Faustina Mfinanga, aka 'Nandy', Rosary Iwole, aka 'Rosa Ree', and Zuhura Othman, aka 'Zuchu'. 

For the Best Male Artist in East Africa's category, nominees from Tanzania include Shariff Ramadhan, aka 'Darassa', Naseeb Abdul, aka 'Diamond Platnumz', Rajab Abdul, aka 'Harmonize', and Raymond Mwakyusa, aka 'Rayvanny'.

'Diamond Platnumz' is nominated for Artist of the Year, competing against Afrobeats giants, Ayodeji Balogun aka 'Wizkid', Damini Ogulu, aka 'Burna Boy', and David Adeleke, aka 'Davido', from Nigeria.

For the ‘Best African Collaboration’ category, 'Waah' by 'Diamond Platnumz' and legendary Soukous singer, Congolese Koffi Olomide, and ‘Number One’ by 'Nandy' and Nigerian singer, Joeboy, were nominated from Tanzania.

'Berna Reloaded' by Chinedu Izuchukwu , popularly known as 'Flavor', featuring 'Diamond Platnumz and Congolese, Fally Ipupa, and 'Waah' by Diamond Platnumz and Koffi Olomide are nominated for the Best African Video award. 

Rosa Lee was nominated for Best Reggae/Dancehall with her song 'That Girl'. 

The song 'Waah' by Diamond Platnumz and Koffi Olomide and 'Berna Reloaded' by Flavour featuring Diamond Platnumz and Fally Ipupa are nominated for 'Best Artist in African Dance and Choreography.

'Zuchu' is nominated for the Breakout Artist of the Year prize, competing with successful newcomers like Temilade Openiyi 'Tems', and Omah Lay from Nigeria.

Lastly, 'Number One' by 'Rayvanny' and 'Zuchu', and 'Waah' by Diamond Platnumz and Koffi Olomide, is nominated for the Song of the Year award.

In total, the awards consist of 28 continental awards (Africa as a whole) and 10 regional awards (different areas) while the Legend Award category will be free of voting as it will be announced on the stage.

The nominees' list comprising 28 continental award categories and 10 regional award categories released for public voting on www.afrima.org is coming a few days after a rigorous long-week adjudication process.

''The remaining two categories – Legend award category will be announced at the awards, while Best Soundtrack in a movie/series/documentary film category was suspended due to low-quality entries for this year’s edition,” Head of Culture, African Union Commission on the jury, Angela Martins, said.

The main event has been slated for November 21-19 in Lagos, Nigeria.