This year’s scheme will honor outstanding musicians in over 30 categories, including newly curated ones such as Best Afrobeat Pop Single (Nigeria), Best Afrobeat Pop Album (Nigeria), Best African Collaboration, and Best International Collaboration. African Artist of the Year, International Artist of the Year, and Music Executive of the Year are among the new categories.
This year, with the Award expanding outside the shores of its home country Nigeria to one of the world’s biggest music capital, Atlanta, USA, it has also expanded its scope of nominations to include more African regions and Artistes. This has increased the number of Award categories from 26 to 35 categories with 118 nominees in total and 27 of these nominees coming from other parts of Africa like Benin Republic, Tanzania, Rwanda, DR Congo, Cameroon, Carpe Verde, Kenya, Egypt, Tunisia, Morrocco, Algeria, South Africa, Mali, Mozambique, Sao Tome & Principe, and Ghana.
Leading the nominations this year is Wizkid with 10 nominations; followed by a tie between first-time nominee, Ayra Starr and returning 2021 ‘Next Rated’ nominee, Tems, with eight nominations. DMW’s Davido follows with seven nominations, alongside former YBNL signee, Adekunle Gold. YBNL Record Label Boss and Pop singer, Olamide, his prodigy Fireboy, and Brymo follow with six nominations. Ladipoe, Lojay, and BNXN all bag five nominations. Closely followed by Vector, Sarz, A-Q and Blaqbonez who all have four nominations each.
Gyakie, Nektunez, Amaarae, are the Ghanaian artistes nominated in the regional and continental categories.
The annual scheme, now in its 15th year, was established in 2006 by Hip Hop World Magazine and acknowledges absolutely stellar musicians and music professionals in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. This year’s ceremony will take place at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, marking the first time the event will take place outside of Nigeria.
