AFRIMA introduces 4 new award categories including DJs, Artistes in the Diaspora
The fifth edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), has introduced four new award categories to enjoin inclusiveness and expand the playing field in the awarding process for African music and creative professionals.
Already, sending of entries for the 5th AFRIMA on the online submission portal opened on Friday, May 25 to commemorate the 2018 Africa Day.
In a statement, the organizers said the newly introduced award categories namely African DJ of the Year; Best African Dance/Choreography; African Lyricist/Rapper of the Year and Best African Act in Diaspora (Female & Male), were carefully arrived at after extensive consultations with African music stakeholders.
Parts of the stakeholders consulted include the AFRIMA Academy of Voters and members of the International Committee of AFRIMA in response to the yearnings and requests of stakeholders, DJ’s, dancers and artistes in Diaspora.
This process attests to the objective of AFRMA to use the African creative industry to showcase the unique cultural heritage of Africa to the rest of the world while celebrating innovations and diversification in Africa’s contemporary music industry.
Before now, AFRIMA awards categories are divided into two: Continental and Regional categories. The Continental Category rewards African artistes in various music genres and forms ranging from pop, hip hop, inspirational, jazz, electro, DJ and more, while the Regional Category celebrates the outstanding achievements of African artistes within their specific region of origin.
African DJ of the Year; Best African Dance/Choreography; African Lyricist/Rapper of the Year and Best African Act in Diaspora all fall under the Continental Category. In addition, the Best African Act in Diaspora is dedicated to artistes with African roots/origin who practice their craft in the international music industry and have prominence and renowned on the international music stage. The artiste’s music style could either be in the traditional or contemporary forms of expression.
