In a glittering display of African musical excellence, the 25-year-old Mavin Records phenom, Rema, emerged as the undisputed sovereign of the night at the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).
The ceremony, staged on 11 January at the prestigious Eko Hotels Convention Centre, saw the continent’s elite gather to celebrate a year of unprecedented global resonance for African sound. However, it was the young Benin City-born superstar who commanded the spotlight, securing a hat-trick of the evening’s most coveted accolades.
Rema’s ascent began with the title of Best Male Artiste in Western Africa. It was a victory of significant symbolic weight, as he triumphed over a formidable shortlist of industry titans, including Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid, the very “Big Three” who have long defined the genre’s frontiers.
The momentum proved unstoppable. Rema was subsequently bestowed with the evening’s ultimate crown, Artiste of the Year, before claiming Best African Artiste in RnB/Soul for his evocative hit, “Baby, (Is It A Crime).” The triple victory solidifies his transition from a promising protégé to a cornerstone of the global music landscape.
Taking to the lectern with his trademark blend of charisma and humility, the artiste reflected on a career that has spanned seven years since his 2019 debut. Now 25, Rema offered a moment of levity to the audience.
“I’m 25 now, I’m getting old,” he quipped, drawing laughter from the capacity crowd. “But it is beautiful to be here again and still receiving awards seven years in the game.”
Yet, the levity soon gave way to a rallying cry for institutional preservation. Channeling the spirit of his now-legendary 2023 Headies address, Rema utilised his platform to champion the “utilities” of the genre.
“Tonight, I am here most especially because… I always think it’s important to always support our utilities of Afrobeats,” he asserted. “Our platforms. Especially platforms that would not divide or put down or split this unity that we have in the room.”
Whilst Rema’s star shone brightest, the 9th AFRIMA, which honours excellence across 40 diverse categories, spread the laurels across the breadth of African talent.
Burna Boy added further prestige to his collection, securing Album of the Year for the critically acclaimed No Sign of Weakness. Meanwhile, the infectious energy of Shallipopi was rewarded with Song of the Year for the ubiquitous anthem, “Laho.”
As the curtains fell on the Eko Hotels Convention Centre, the message of the evening was clear: whilst the veterans continue to build the legacy, the future of African music is in the assured, visionary hands of its youth.
