The 2023 Trace Live Awards, held in the vibrant city of Kigali, Rwanda, celebrated the best of Afrobeat and Afro-influenced music, with Nigerian artists emerging as major winners. The awards ceremony, organized by the platform Trace, aims to recognize outstanding musicians from across the African continent.
In a night filled with excitement and talent, top Nigerian artists Rema, Davido, Asake, Yemi Alade, and Burna Boy each clinched prestigious awards in various categories.
Davido, one of the shining stars of the Nigerian music scene, proved his dominance by securing two awards. He was named the Best Male Artist and also received the Best Collaboration award for his song “Unavailable,” featuring Musa Keys. His victory in the collaboration category was hard-fought, as he bested strong contenders including Fireboy DML, Oxlade, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, and two other acts.
Asake, another Nigerian sensation, won the title of Best African Anglophone Artist. Meanwhile, Burna Boy, often referred to as the African Giant, was recognized with the Album of the Year Award for his project “Love Damini.”
In the Best Video category, Yemi Alade stood as the sole female Nigerian artist to claim an award. Her achievement added a touch of diversity to the night’s festivities.
The 2023 Trace Live Awards also paid tribute to two iconic Nigerian artists with a Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious recognition was bestowed upon 2Face and Mr. Eazi for their exceptional contributions to the music industry.
See full list of winners below:
Album of the Year
- WINNER: Love Damini – Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- DNK – Aya Nakamura (France)
- Maverick – Kizz Daniel (Nigeria)
- More Love, Less Ego – Wizkid (Nigeria)
- Timeless – Davido (Nigeria)
- Work of Art – Asake (Nigeria)
Song of the Year
- “BKBN” – Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
- “People” – Libianca (Cameroon)
- “Suavemente” – Soolking (France)
- “Encre” – Emma’a (Gabon)
- “Sugarcane” – Camidoh (Ghana)
- “Last Last” – Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- “Rush” – Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
- WINNER: “Calm Down” – Rema (Nigeria)
- “Peru” – Fireboy DML (Nigeria) with Ed Sheeran (UK)
- “Sete” – K.O (South Africa)
- “Cough” – Kizz Daniel (Nigeria)
- “MORTEL 06” – Innoss’B (DRC)
Best Music Video
- “2 Sugar” – Wizkid (Nigeria) feat. Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
- WINNER: “Baddie” – Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
- “Kpaflotage” – Suspect 95 (Ivory Coast)
- “Loaded” – Tiwa Savage(Nigeria) & Asake (Nigeria)
- “Ronda” – Blxckie (South Africa)
- “Tombolo” – Kalash (Martinique)
- “Yatapita” – Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Best Male
- Asake (Nigeria)
- Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- WINNER: Davido (Nigeria)
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Didi B (Ivory Coast)
- K.O (South Africa)
- Rema (Nigeria)
Best Female
- Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
- Josey (Ivory Coast)
- Nadia Mukami (Kenya)
- Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
- Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
- WINNER: Viviane Chidid (Senegal)
Best Collaboration
- “Many Ways” – BNXN (Nigeria) with Wizkid (Nigeria)
- “Mine” – Show Dem Camp (Nigeria) with Oxlade (Nigeria)
- “Peru” – Fireboy DML (Nigeria) with Ed Sheeran (UK)
- “Second Sermon” – Black Sherif (Ghana) with Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- “Sete” – K.O (South Africa) with Young Stunna (South Africa), Blxckie (South Africa)
- “Stamina” – Tiwa Savage with Ayra Starr (Nigeria) & Young Jonn (Nigeria)
- “Trumpet” – Olamide (Nigeria) with Ckay (Nigeria)
- WINNER: “Unavailable” – Davido (Nigeria) with Musa Keys (South Africa)
Best Newcomer
- Azawi (Uganda)
- Krys M (Cameroon)
- Libianca (Cameroon)
- Nissi (Nigeria)
- Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
- Pabi Cooper (South Africa)
- WINNER: Roseline Layo (Ivory Coast)
Best DJ
- Danni Gato (Cape Verde)
- DJ BDK (Ivory Coast)
- DJ Illans (France)
- DJ Spinall (Nigeria)
- WINNER: Michael Brun (Haiti)
- Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)
Best Producer
- DJ Maphorisa (South Africa)
- Juls (Ghana)
- Kabza de Small (South Africa)
- Kel-P (Nigeria)
- WINNER: Tam Sir (Ivory Coast)
Best Gospel Artist
- Benjamin Dube (South Africa)
- Janet Otieno (Kenya)
- WINNER: KS Bloom (Ivory Coast)
- Levixone (Uganda)
- Moses Bliss (Nigeria)
Best Live
- Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- WINNER: Fally Ipupa (DRC)
- Musa Keys (South Africa)
- The Compozers (Ghana)
- Wizkid (Nigeria)
- Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
Best Dancer
- WINNER: Robot Boii (South Africa)
- Tayc (France)
- Uganda Ghetto Kids (Uganda)
- Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
- Zuchu (Tanzania)
Best Artist Africa – Anglophone
- WINNER: Asake (Nigeria)
- Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
- Black Sherif (Ghana)
- Davido (Nigeria)
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Fireboy DML (Nigeria)
Best Artist Africa – Francophone
- WINNER: Didi B (Ivory Coast)
- Emma’a (Gabon)
- Fally Ipupa (DRC)
- KO-C (Cameroon)
- Locko (Cameroon)
- Serge Beynaud (Ivory Coast)
- Viviane Chidid (Senegal)
Best Artist Africa – Lusophone
- Gerilson Insrael (Angola)
- WINNER: Lisandro Cuxi (Cape Verde)
- Perola (Angola)
- Plutonio (Mozambique)
- Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
Best Artist – Rwanda
- Ariel Wayz (Rwanda)
- WINNER: Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
- Bwiza (Rwanda)
- Chriss Eazy (Rwanda)
- Kenny Sol (Rwanda)
Best Artist – East Africa
- WINNER: Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Zuchu (Tanzania)
- Khaligraph (Kenya)
- Nadia Mukani (Kenya)
- Azawi (Uganda)
Best Artist – France & Belgium
- Aya Nakamura (France)
- Booba (France)
- Nihno (France)
- Ronisia (France)
- Soolking (France)
- WINNER: Tayc (France)
Best Artist – UK
- WINNER: Central Cee (UK)
- Headie One (UK)
- Ms Banks (UK)
- Raye (UK)
- Stormzy (UK)
Best Artist – The Caribbean
- Admiral T (Guadeloupe)
- Bamby (French Guiana)
- Kalash (Martinique)
- Maureen (Martinique)
- Popcaan (Jamaica)
- Princess Lover (Martinique)
- WINNER: Rutshelle Guillaume (Haiti)
- Shenseea (Jamaica)
Best Artist – Indian Ocean
- Donovan BTS (Mauritius)
- GaEi (Madagascar)
- WINNER: Goulam (Comoros)
- Mik’l (Reunion)
- Sega el (Reunion)
- Terrell Elymoor (Mayotte)
Best Artist – Brazil
- Djonga (Brazil)
- Iza (Brazil)
- Leo Santana (Brazil)
- WINNER: Ludmilla (Brazil)
- Luedji Luna (Brazil)
Best Artist – North Africa
- Amira Zouhair (Morocco)
- Artmasta (Tunisia)
- WINNER: Dystinct (Morocco)
- El Grande Toto (Morocco)
- Kader Japonais (Algeria)
- Raja Meziane (Algeria)
This comprehensive list highlights the winners in various categories at the event, showcasing the incredible talent from across the African and global music scenes.
