6th AFRIMA: 8157 entries set new submission record

The sixth edition of All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), has received 8,157 songs/videos on its online portal as entry submission closed at 1159 hour (WAT) on Friday, August 2.

This year’s number is now the highest number of entries from African artistes, music producers, songwriters, Disc Jockeys (DJs) and video directors among others, since the inception of the biggest music event in Africa.

Among the 8,157 entries submitted this year, West Africa leads the pack with 38 per cent of the total entries followed by Southern Africa with 24 per cent. East Africa, Central Africa and North Africa have 20 per cent, 14 per cent and four per cent respectively.

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Meanwhile, following the end of the sixth AFRIMA entry submission, the 13-man International Jury of AFRIMA arrived in Lagos on Wednesday, August 7 for the week-long adjudication process from Wednesday, August 7 to Tuesday, August 13.

The AFRIMA Jury’s responsibility involves screening, categorising, assessing, grading and selecting into the 36 different regional and continental awarding categories nominees who will vie for the 23.9 carat gold-plated AFRIMA trophy.

AFRIMA hospitality partner, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria, will provide a secure venue for the eminent International Jury members who represent the five regions of Africa, the Diaspora (Europe and North America) and the African Union Commission.

After this process is concluded, the 6th AFRIMA nominees’ List would be unveiled during a world media conference scheduled for Wednesday, August 14 at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The AFRIMA Jury members occupying the slots for East Africa are Tanzania’s Joett and Tabu Osusa from Kenya; representing Central Africa are Charles Tabu from Democratic Republic of Congo and Bob Ekukole.

Others include Omar Essaidi, a Moroccan music programmer from the North; Zimbabwean radio DJ and Lawyer, Delani Makhalima and South Africa’s music professional, Chris Syren take up the two slots for Southern Africa.

West African representatives include Olisa Adibua, prolific broadcaster from Nigeria and David Tayorault, a Côte d’Ivoire music legend.

Representing the Diaspora-Europe is Rita Ray, a UK-based BBC Radio 3 presenter and for the Diaspora-North America is Hadja Kobélé Keita.

The African Union Commission is represented by Angela Martins, the Head, of the Culture Division of the AUC is a citizen of Mozambique.

Speaking on the 2019 entry submission and adjudication process, Mrs Angela Martins said: “AFRIMA, the Pan-African initiative and music platform, is gaining greater momentum, continental visibility and recognition. This can be verified by the increased number of entries received for its 6th edition, to be held in November 2019.

Meanwhile the African Union Commission congratulatied the international Committee of AFRIMA for this achievement for the promotion and development of the continent’s creative economy. The commission expressesed its strong support to AFRIMA as it plays a key role in recognising and awarding myriad of music talents on the continent.