Kenzo, Bebe Cool, Saha, Spice Diana, Gashumba nominated for 2022 AFRIMA

The International Executive Committee of Afrima released the nominees on Wednesday.

According to the list, Eddy Kenzo and King Saha are competing for the Best Male Artiste in East Africa gong. Saha was nominated for his song Zakayo while Sango put Kenzo on the list.

They are battling with 12 other male singers in that category, including Diamond Platinumz, who appeared on the list because of Mtasubiri, his collabo with Zuchu.

Spice Diana, for Tujooge, her hit collabo with DJ Seven, appeared in the Best Female Artiste in East Africa, where she is facing off with Zuchu, Nikita Kering, Tanasha Donna, and other songbirds from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania.

Diamond Platinumz and Zuchu Pulse

DJ Lito is competing for the gong of Best African DJ with nine others, including DJ Snake and Uncle Waffles.

Spice Diana scored another nomination under Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Dance or Choreography for the same aforementioned song.

Tick Talk, the song on which Bebe Cool features DJ Lito, Sheilah Gashumba, and the duo of Slick Stuart & DJ Roja, saw the five land a nomination in the category of Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Reggae, Ragga, Dancehall. They are competing with the likes of Fave, Ruger, and KiDi in this group.

Top African artistes like Burna Boy, Davido, Tiwa Savage, and Rema, and global stars like Drake, Chris Brown, Justin Beiber, and Popcaan scored nominations.

Tiwa Savage Pulse

The Afrima executive committee says 9,067 entries were submitted, the highest number ever recorded by the awards, since its inception.

The Awards have 39 categories.

"Leading the nominations on a regional basis this year is the Western African region, with 134 nominations, representing 35 percent; while the Eastern African region follows closely with 69 nominations, representing 18 percent; the Southern African region races closely with 68 nominations, representing 17.8 percent; while Central Africa pulls in its weight with 52 nominations, representing 13.6 percent; while the Northern African region follows closely with 49 nominations, representing 12.8 percent," reads an official statement on the Afrima website.

The public voting portal for the 2022 AFRIMA edition will be live on Sunday, September 25 and you can vote by logging on Afrima.org. The voting will close on December 10.

The statement revealed that the 2022 All Africa Music Awards will be held from December 8 - 11.

The host country and location will be announced on September 28.

AFRIMA, which is organised in partnership with the African Union Commission, is an innovative awards platform that rewards excellence in the African music industry and showcases the cultural and entertainment uniqueness of Africa to the rest of the world.

The first ceremony was held in 2014.