Gospel artiste Willy Paul won Best Gospel Act, Africa. In his thank you speech he said:
@afrimma Words alone cannot express how grateful I am for the love and support you've given me from day one to date!! I wanna say a big thank you to all my loyal fans ( family ) you've all pushed me to the next level.. you are the ones God use to elevate me to the next level.. With all the hate we still made it together.. I'm glad to say that i have been named; the BEST GOSPEL ARTIST, not only in kenya but in AFRICA.. Yesterday night in Dallas USA we made history... I was named a winner!! All the glory goes back to the almighty God! The giver!!
I was born to shine!!! And so will I!!!!
Even after Kenyans lashed so she could win the Best Female East Africa for which she was nominated for at the 3rd Annual African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA), singer Akothee brought home the award.
She beat fellow Kenyan Victoria Kimani who thought that Akothee deserved the win owing her 'putting out some quality music and quality videos'. In the same category were Vanessa Mdee and Linah from Tanzania, Aster Aweke and Tsedenia Gebremarkos from Ethiopia, Knowles Butera from Rwanda and Sheebah Karungi from Uganda. In an Instagram post, Akothee is seen goofing around with Vanessa after the event that was held in October 15, 2016 in Texas.
Of the 5 of 26 categories that Sauti Sol was nominated in, they manage to bring home the award for Best African Group.
Sauti Sol lost to Tanzania's Diamond Platnumz for Best Male East Africa. In that category were Ali Kiba, Uganda's Eddy Kenzo, Bebe Cool and Jose Chameleon, Ethiopia's Jacky Gosee and South Sudan's Dynamq.
Sauti Sol's Unconditionally Bae and Akothee's My Sweet Love did not win any awards. Dj D'Ommy beat Dj Joe Mfalme in the Best DJ Africa category. MasterKraft beat Visita in the Music Producer of The Year and Wizkid beat STL in the Crossing Boundaries with Music Award category. Phyno beat King Kaka and Octopizzo for the Best Act Rap, and Patrick Elis beat Enos Olik for Best Video Director.
Here is the full List of winners.
Best Male West Africa Olamide
Best Female West Africa Efya
Best Male North Africa Amr Diab
Best Female North Africa Ibtissam Tiskat
Best Dj Africa – Dj D'Ommy
Best Male East Africa – Diamond Platnumz
Best Female East Africa – Akothee
Best African Dj USA – Dj Dee Money
Best Male Central Africa – c4 Pedro
AFRIMMA Video of The Year – Brother Brother – Bisa Kdei
Best Female Central Africa – Daphne
Music Producer of the Year – Masterkraft
Best Male South Africa – Aka
Best African Dancer – Brenda Derry
Best Female Southern Africa – Chikune
Best Rap Act – Phyno
Best African Group – Sauti Sol
Best Collaboration Award- Reggea Blues , Harrysong, Kcee
Crossing Boundaries with Music – Wizkid
Song of The Year – Tekno – Duro
Best Gospel Act- Willy Paul
Artist of The Year – Flavour
Best Newcomer – Harmonize
Best Dancehall Act – Shatta Wale
Best Video Director – Patrick Elis
Caribbean Artist of The Year – Machel Montano
