Nigeria: 2025 Trace Awards: Rema, Ayra Starr, Mercy Chinwo win big
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
The 2025 Trace Awards ceremony, held at Mora Resort, Zanzibar, Tanzania, on Wednesday, February 28 saw Nigerian artists dominating the winners’ list with top accolades.
Rema led the pack, securing two prestigious awards: ‘Album of the Year’ for his critically acclaimed album Heis and ‘Best Male Artist.’ Ayra Starr was named the Best West African Artist, while Mercy Chinwo won the Best Gospel Artist for her inspiring and uplifting music.
Afrobeats legend D’banj received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the music industry.
Other notable Nigerian winners included P. Prime, who won Best Producer for MMS; Meji Alabi, who claimed Best Music Video for Rema’s DND.
The Trace Awards celebrate excellence in the music industry, and this year’s event highlighted Africa’s vibrant and growing influence on the global stage.
Here is the complete list of winners:
– Song of the Year: Titom & Yuppe – ‘Tshwala Bam’ (South Africa)
– Album of the Year: Rema – Heis (Nigeria)
– Best Collaboration: Tamsir & Team Paiya – ‘Coup du Marteau’ (Ivory Coast)
– Best Music Video: Meji Alabi – Rema ‘DND’ (Nigeria)
– Best Dancer: Makhadzi (South Africa)
– Best DJ: DJ Moh Green – ‘Kelele’ (Algeria)
– Best Hip Hop Artist: Didi B (Ivory Coast)
– Best Global African Artist: Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
– Best Male Artist: Rema (Nigeria)
– Best Female Artist: Tyla (South Africa)
– Best Live Performance: Fally Ipupa (DRC)
– Best Producer: P.Priime – ‘MMS’ (Nigeria)
– Best Gospel Artist: Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)
– Lifetime Achievement Award: D’banj
