To celebrate 20 years of promoting and supporting African and Afro-inspired music, Trace staged the 1st Trace Awards & Festival at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda on 21 October 2023. The show was televised live to 350 million viewers and music fans around the world on Trace channels in 180 countries.[1]
| Trace Awards & Festival 2023 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Date | 21 October 2023 |
| Location | Kigali, Rwanda |
| Presented by | TRACE Media Group |
| Hosted by | |
| Most awards | |
| Most nominations | |
| Television/radio coverage | |
| Network |
|
The nominees for the Awards were announced on 21 August 2023, with fans voting online.
Davido and Burna Boy led the nominations with four nominations each. Asake, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Ayra Starr, Yemi Alade, and Fireboy DML, all received three nominations each. Rema and Davido had the highest award winnings at the maiden edition by securing 2 awards each at the ceremony.[2] The event hosts were D'banj and Maria Borges. The Trace Awards honors African outstanding achievements in African and Afro-inspired music and culture.
Background
editOn 20 October 2023, Trace held a press conference at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (KCEV), where the Head of Tourism and Conservation Department of Rwanda, Ariella Kageruka highlighted the benefits of the awards, and its impact on the nation.[3] The awards ceremony was broadcast locally on Kigali Channel 2 (KC2 TV) in Rwanda,[1] and internationally on Trace Urban, Trace Africa, Trace Gospel, Trace Toca, Trace Tropical, Trace Mziki, and Trace FM.[4]
Performers
editOn 6 September 2023, Trace confirmed the following performers:[5]
- Davido
- Yemi Alade
- Kizz Daniel
- Asake
- Black Sherif
- Viviane Chidid
- Didi B
- Josey
- Benjamin Dube
- Blxckie
- Bruce Melodie
- Bwiza
- Dystinct
- Janet Otieno
- Kalash
- Soraia Ramos
- Lisandro Cuxi
- Locko
- Mikl
- Perola
- Plutonio
- Princess Lover
- Ronisia
- Rutshelle Guillaume
- Tayc
- Terell Elymoor
- Bamby
- The Compozers
Nominees and winners
editBelow are listed nominees and winners.[6] Winners are listed first in bold.[2][7]
| Best Male | Best Female |
|---|---|
| |
| Song of the Year | Best Music Video |
|
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| Best Newcomer | Best Collaboration |
|
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| Best DJ | Best Producer |
|
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| Best Gospel Artist | Best Live |
|
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| Best Dancer | Best Artist Africa - Anglophone |
|
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| Best Artist Africa - Francophone | Best Artist Africa - Lusophone |
|
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| Best Artist - Rwanda | Best Artist - East Africa |
|
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| Best Artist - France & Belgium | Best Artist - UK |
|
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| Best Artist - The Caribbean | Best Artist - Indian Ocean |
| |
| Best Artist - Brazil | Best Artist - North Africa |
|
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| Album of the Year | ChangeMaker |
|
Mr Eazi (Nigeria) |
References
edit- ^ a b Nkoni, Anita (22 October 2023). "Inaugural Trace Awards celebrate African and Afro-origin music". Independent Online. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ a b Grein, Paul (21 October 2023). "Rema & Davido Are Top Winners at 2023 Trace Awards, Celebrating African Music (Full Winners List)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ Bahizi, Heritier (21 October 2023). "Trace Awards and Festival is an economic boost for Rwanda - RDB". The New Times. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ Mbabazi, Joan (21 October 2023). "Where to watch Trace Awards and Festival". The New Times. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ Hansen, Gabriel Myers (6 September 2023). "Trace Awards announce first batch of performers". Music In Africa. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ Adeleye, Adegboyega. "FULL LIST: Davido, Burna Boy, Wizkid lead maiden Trace Awards nominations". Vanguard Nigeria. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ "Winners for the Global Categories". Trace Africa. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.