Nigeria’s grip on African music is once again on display as the 2025 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) unveiled its nomination list. Burna Boy, Davido, Shallipopi, Rema, and Ayra Starr are among the biggest names leading the pack, reminding the continent where the heartbeat of Afrobeats truly lies.

Burna Boy and Davido, the two titans of Nigerian sound, secured five nominations each, with Burna’s smash No Sign of Weakness and Davido’s chart-topping album 5ive both landing in the Album of the Year category. Their names also appear in the highly contested Song of the Year and Best Collaboration slots.

But it’s not just the giants carrying Nigeria’s flag. Street-hop sensation Shallipopi is stepping into the big leagues with four nominations, including Artist of the Year and Song of the Year. Rising stars Rema and Ayra Starr also pulled three nominations apiece, proving Gen Z Afrobeats is not just hype but staying power.

Across the continent, the competition is heating up. South African hitmaker DJ Maphorisa matched Burna and Davido with five nods, while Morocco’s El Grande Toto also claimed five for his chart stormers Salgoat and Diplomatico.

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Tyla, still surfing her global wave after Water, scored four nominations, while Tanzanian heavyweights Diamond Platnumz (4) and Juma Jux (3) keep East Africa in the conversation.

Since its debut in 2014, AFRIMA has become one of Africa’s biggest music stages, endorsed by the African Union and attracting entries from more than 40 countries every year.

Nigerian artists have consistently dominated the awards, from Wizkid and Tiwa Savage to Burna Boy and Davido, cementing the country’s place as the continent’s cultural powerhouse.

With this mix of icons and fresh voices, AFRIMA 2025 is shaping up as more than just a music award; it’s a snapshot of Africa’s sound right now: competitive, diverse, and still, unmistakably, Naija-led.

Cynthia Nwanonyiri