Tracing Africa in Kigali

 Davido, Yemi Alade and Diamond.

Today, all the big names in African music assemble in Kigali, Rwanda, ahead of the big music parade at the BK Arena where the inaugural Trace Awards will see music celebrities get celebrated over riveting performances and prestigious accolades.

Some have dubbed it the revolutionary ceremony, one of its kind that provokes fond memories of 90s continental music awards ceremonies such as MTV Mamas as well as Kora Awards and Channel O Music Video Awards; all of which contributed to the collaborations that have seen the African sound rise to international recognition. 

The latest surprise celebrity unveiled in the list of star-studded performances during Trace, Visit Rwanda and Martel ceremony is an East African pride.

Tanzanian Bongo Flava sensation and iconic star Diamond Platnumz jets into Kigali in the company of his heartthrob stable signee Zuchu, arguably Tanzania’s biggest female music export. With them is Juma Jux whose Enjoy collabo with the WCB Wasafi boss is the main jam grooving the regional party scene; from YouTube to the club.

Diamond Platnumz and his fellow performers join a glittering lineup that brings together 50-plus stars from around Africa and the African diaspora including Davido (Nigeria), Bamby (French Guiana), Benjamin Dube (South Africa), Blxckie (South Africa), Bruce Melodie (Rwanda), Bwiza (Rwanda), Didi B (Ivory Coast), Dystinct (Morocco), Janet Otieno (Kenya), Josey (Ivory Coast), Lisandro Cuxi (Cape Verde) and Locko (Cameroon).

There is Perola (Angola), Plutonio (Mozambique), Princess Lover (Martinique), Ronisia (France), Rutshelle Guillaume (Haïti), Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde), Terrell Elymoor (Mayotte), The Compozers (Ghana), Viviane Chidid (Senegal), Yemi Alade (Nigeria), Mr Eazi (Nigeria), Azawi (Uganda), BNXN (Nigeria), Camidoh (Ghana), Chriss Eazy (Rwanda), Danni Gatto (Cape Verde) and DJ Illans (Reunion) on the endless stellar, a rare come together that will no doubt amplify the continent’s musical voice to a world that is already facing motherland as the latest entertainment bedrock.

The award is set to showcase the excellence and diversity of Afrocentric music in genres such as Afrobeat, Dancehall, Hip Hop, Afro-pop, Mbalax, Amapiano, Zouk, Kizomba, Genge, Coupé Décalé, Bongo Flava, Soukous, Gospel, Rap, Rai, Kompa, R&B, and Rumba. And to spice it all up, the spine-chilling moment awaits during tomorrow’s big night of the awards ceremony. Competing in 26 award categories are artistes from more than thirty countries in Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean and Europe. 

Big as they come, the ceremony will be broadcast live tomorrow on Trace TV channels, radio and digital channels and on global streaming platforms, national terrestrial TV and satellite channels with a viewership and social interaction expected to exceed 500 million fans in 190 countries.

Nigerian music legend, entrepreneur and philanthropist D’Banj, and Angolan supermodel and fashion icon Maria Borges will be the main hosts of the awards.

Known for his groundbreaking contributions to the African music industry, D’Banj is a towering figure in the world of African music and entertainment whose music career has spanned more than two decades. His journey in the music industry began in the early 2000s when he burst onto the scene with his unique blend of Afrobeat, Afro-pop, and contemporary music genres.

His mesmerising stage presence, magnetic charisma, and captivating live performances quickly endeared him to fans both in Africa and across the world, helped by an extensive repertoire of chart-topping hits such as "Oliver Twist," "Fall in Love," "Scapegoat," and "Mr. Endowed."  "Oliver Twist" performed exceptionally well, reaching the top ten on the UK Singles Chart and peaking at Number Two.

Stunning Angolan supermodel and catwalk star, Maria Borges first burst onto the fashion scene in 2010 when she signed with prestigious agency Supreme Management. Soon she was walking the runways for the world’s fashion elite including fashion designers from Balmain to Banana Republic, Diane von Fürstenberg to Dior, and Emporio Armani to Erdem.

Her appearance on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway in 2013 catapulted her into international stardom and she has subsequently appeared in campaigns for Givenchy, Tommy Hilfiger, H&M, Bobbi Brown, C&A, L'Oréal, Mac Cosmetics, and Forever 21.