The second edition of the Trace Awards, held on February 26 at the Mora Resort in Zanzibar, Tanzania, concluded with a mix of electrifying performances and notable logistical hurdles, drawing attention from across Africa and beyond.
The event, which ran from February 24 to 26, celebrated the continent’s top musical talents while spotlighting both triumphs and areas for improvement.
The awards ceremony showcased a stellar lineup of artists, including Nigeria’s Rema, Mercy Chinwo, D’banj, and Ayra Starr, who emerged as some of the night’s biggest winners.
Tanzanian stars Diamond Platnumz, Zuchu, and Nandy also shone brightly, with Platnumz clinching the Best Global African Artist award and Nandy earning Best Tanzanian Artist honours.
Kenya’s Bien-Aimé Baraza took home the Best East African Artist title, reinforcing the region’s strong presence on the African music scene.
The event, broadcast live in over 200 countries in English, French, and Portuguese, featured 28 categories honouring genres from Afrobeat to Amapiano.
Despite the musical success, the production faced significant challenges. Reports indicate that heavy winds caused the stage to collapse at one point, while poor sound quality, faulty screens, and intermittent breaks disrupted the live experience.
Social media buzzed with criticism, with some attendees and viewers describing the event as a “production disaster,” citing inadequate infrastructure for a show of this scale.
Organizers have yet to release an official statement addressing the technical difficulties.
The Trace Awards & Summit, which kicked off with a two-day conference themed “Breaking the Global Barrier – How to Make More African Artists Global Stars,” fostered discussions on elevating African music worldwide.
Industry leaders, including Tanzanian artist Diamond Platnumz and Nigerian talent manager Sean Okeye, participated in panels exploring AI’s impact and strategies for global recognition.
Airtel Africa, a key sponsor, emphasized its commitment to supporting African talent, with Marketing Director Timea Chogo noting the economic opportunities the event brought to Zanzibar.
The island’s scenic beauty and cultural allure were on full display, reinforcing its appeal as a growing hub for international events.
Tracy Awards 2025 winners in Zanzibar
Song of the Year
- Tshwala Bam – Titom & Yuppe (South Africa)
- Jump – Tyla (South Africa)
- Mnike – Tyler ICU (South Africa)
- Coup du Marteau – Tamsir x Team Paiya (Ivory Coast)
- Active – Asake & Travis Scott (Nigeria)
- Love Me Jeje – Tems (Nigeria)
- Higher – Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Benin Boys – Rema & Shallipopi (Nigeria)
- Komasawa – Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Album of the Year
- Heis – Rema (Nigeria)
- I Told Them – Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Lungu Boy – Asake (Nigeria)
- Vibration Universelle – Josey (Ivory Coast)
- Fountain Baby – Amaarae (Ghana)
- True To Self – King Promise (Ghana)
- 5th Dimension – Stonebwoy (Ghana)
- Stamina – Toofan (Togo)
Best Collaboration
- Coup du Marteau – Tamsir & Team Paiya (Ivory Coast)
- Tshwala Bam Remix – Titom, Yuppe & Burna Boy (South Africa/Nigeria)
- Nu Ka Sta Para – Neyna & MC Acondize (Cape Verde)
- Credit Alert – Kocee ft. Patoranking (Cameroon/Nigeria)
- MMS – Asake & Wizkid (Nigeria)
- Benin Boys – Rema & Shallipopi (Nigeria)
- Woto Woto Seasoning – Odumodublvck & Black Sherif (Ghana)
Best Music Video
- Artists with the best video in Africa:
- DND – Rema (Nigeria) – Directed by Meji Alabi
- Twe Twe – Kizz Daniel & Davido (Nigeria) – Directed by TG Omori
- Nani Remix – Zuchu feat Innoss’ B (Tanzania/DRC) – Directed by Folex
- Jump – Tyla (South Africa) – Directed by Nabil Elderkin
- Commas – Ayra Starr (Nigeria) – Directed by Kmane
- C Pas Normal – Toofan (Togo) – Directed by Seoute Emmanuel
- Sete – Innoss’ B (DRC) – Directed by Ach’B
- MMS – Asake & Wizkid (Nigeria) – Directed by Edgar Esteves
Best Hip Hop Artist
- Best hip hop artist of 2025 on Tracy Awards:
- Young Lunya (Tanzania)
- Didi B (Ivory Coast)
- Nasty C (South Africa)
- Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
- Suspect 95 (Ivory Coast)
- Sarkodie (Ghana)
- Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa)
Best Male Artist
- Tracy awards 2025 Best Male Musician of the Year;
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Rema (Nigeria)
- Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
- Fally Ipupa (DRC)
- Asake (Nigeria)
- Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Wizkid (Nigeria)
- Stonebwoy (Ghana)
Best Female Artist
- Tracy Awards best female musician of the year;
- Nandy (Tanzania)
- Tyla (South Africa)
- Makhadzi (South Africa)
- Chelsea Dinorath (Angola)
- Josey (Ivory Coast)
- Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
- Tems (Nigeria)
- Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
Best Artist in East Africa
- Top East African artist in Tracy Awards 2025;
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Harmonize (Tanzania)
- Marioo (Tanzania)
- Zuchu (Tanzania)
- Nandy (Tanzania)
- Bien (Kenya)
- Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
- Rophnan (Ethiopia)
Best Tanzanian Artist
- Best Tanzanian artist in Tracy Awards;
- Nandy
- Mbosso (Zanzibar)
- Diamond Platnumz
- Zuchu (Zanzibar)
- Marioo
- Alikiba
- Jux
- Harmonize
