Nigerian Afrobeats sensation, Rema, made history on Sunday night as the first African artist to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, while also shining at the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) held at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rema won Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, and Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African RnB & Soul, underscoring his immense influence on the continent’s music scene over the past year.

 

His triple win capped a colourful evening celebrating African music, drawing top artists, industry executives, and cultural stakeholders from across the continent and beyond.

 

Other notable winners included:

• Burna Boy – Album of the Year for No Sign of Weakness

• Shallipopi – Song of the Year for Laho

• Phyno – Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Hip Hop

 

Regional category winners were:

• Central Africa: Singuila (Best Male), Cindy Le Coeur (Best Female)

• Eastern Africa: Jux (Best Male), Denise (Best Female)

• Northern Africa: Adviser (Best Male), Sherine (Best Female)

• Southern Africa: Yo Maps (Best Male), Nontokozo Mkhize (Best Female)

• Western Africa: Rema (Best Male), Wendy Shay (Best Female)

 

Continental honours also highlighted African diversity:

• African Inspirational Music: Milo (Male), Morijah (Female)

• African Pop: Manamba Kanté (Guinea)

• African Contemporary: Axel Merryl (Benin Republic)

• Best Soundtrack: Yemi Alade (You Are)

• Songwriter of the Year: Bakhaw Dioum (Choix)

• Breakout Artiste of the Year: Ciza (South Africa)

• Most Promising Artiste of the Year: Qing Madi (Nigeria)

• Best African Collaboration: Shallipopi & Burna Boy (Laho)

 

Rema’s historic wins and global recognition highlight the growing international influence of African music and reinforce AFRIMA’s mission to celebrate the continent’s creativity, unity, and cultural impact.