The NAACP Image Awards, known for honoring trailblazers of color in film, TV, literature, and music, has always been a big deal. But seeing African talents on this stage? It’s another level.

This year’s NAACP Awards carry the theme “Our Stories, Our Culture, Our Excellence” – and isn’t it poetic that African music is now an integral part of our stories? It’s the soundtrack of a global movement, uniting voices and cultures.

These nominations are about more than accolades. They’re about representation. They’re proof that African artistry is no longer an echo waiting for recognition; it’s a drumbeat the whole world is dancing to. And given this fact, we believe once again in the dreams of others whose craft have demonstrated strong pride in their roots. Imagine having the likes of Xpensive Peter holding his own on this platform in a near future with his afrocentric rhythms reminiscent of the golden sounds of legends such Fela and Ebenezer Obey.

When February 22 rolls around, and the spotlight hits the Pasadena Civic Centre in California, just remember: Africa brought the fire. These artists didn’t just earn their place on that stage; they’re redefining it.

So, if you’re still not paying attention to African music… we don’t know what you’ve been doing.

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This year’s list of nominees is absolutely electric. Major African genres like amapiano, Afrobeat, mbalax, and zouk have brilliant representations from the respective countries. Artists from more than 30 countries are in the running, proving that African music is as vast and rich as the continent itself.

Take the West African giants—they’re ruling the charts worldwide. Nigeria leads the charge with Asake, Rema, and the unstoppable Burna Boy battling it out in top categories like Song of the Year and Album of the Year. Their bangers have transcended borders, becoming anthems for global dance floors.

Meanwhile, East Africa brings its signature swag with Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz and Zuchu turning the competition into an all-out fiesta. Add Southern Africa’s amapiano powerhouses Tyla and Tyler ICU to the mix, and it’s clear: the Trace Awards are showcasing every corner of the African map.

Let’s talk collaborations—this category is a melting pot of brilliance. Cape Verde meets the global dance scene with Neyna & MC Acondize’s party-starter Nu Ka Sta Para, while Nigeria’s Asake joins forces with Wizkid for MMS—a track as smooth as butter. This synergy is exactly what makes Afro music the cultural glue of today’s generation.

Even visually, African music is not slowing down. Take Meji Alabi’s iconic work for Rema’s DND or TG Omori’s signature stamp on Kizz Daniel’s Twe Twe. These are cinematic experiences, each one telling a story of its own.

But it gets even more interesting: The Trace Awards isn’t just a stage for superstars. It’s a spotlight for rising talents and overlooked regions. Artists from French-speaking Africa, like Ivory Coast’s Didi B, are showing the world that Francophone vibes are here to stay. Cape Verde’s Neyna is carving out space for island nations, proving African music’s heartbeat spans oceans.

It’s obviously a wide sky, we await the day that other rising stars such as Skelvin, Expensive Peter, Mascara Vibes and Addi Self will get a well deserved chance on such stages as this.

This year, all roads lead to Zanzibar. The Trace Awards are rewriting how the world celebrates Africa. It’s about recognizing our roots, reveling in our evolution, and honoring the unity that music brings.

So, gear up and get ready. Because whether it’s amapiano, soukous, or rap, one thing is certain: African music isn’t just rising—it’s ruling.

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This new category shines a spotlight on the incredible diversity and influence of African sounds, as it recognizes genres like Afrobeats, Amapiano, and highlife that carry rich cultural roots and are making waves worldwide.

Usual suspects like Burna Boy, Davido, and Asake are up for nominations, alongside rising stars like Ayra Starr and South Africa’s Tyla. Burna Boy’s “City Boys” and Asake’s amapiano-flavored track “Amapiano” show just how creative and global African music has become. Meanwhile, Tyla, with her viral hit “Water,” is putting the younger generation of African artists on the map.

Beyond recognizing individual artists, this new category also registers Africa’s growing influence on the world stage. African music has taken over streaming platforms and is a huge part of global pop culture now. The Recording Academy creating this category is a clear nod to that impact.

Take Amapiano, for example – a genre born in South Africa that’s been blowing up internationally. With its mix of house beats, African rhythms, jazz, and soulful vibes, it’s impossible not to feel its energy. Songs like Davido’s “UNAVAILABLE” and Tyla’s “Water” have gone viral, dominating TikTok and Instagram, while blending Amapiano with Afrobeats to create even more addictive sounds.

The genre’s popularity has gone beyond borders, dominating festivals and shows popping up in Europe, the U.S., and Asia. Amapiano is doing more than influencing mainstream music – it’s showcasing African culture to the world, much like Afrobeats did before. It’s safe to say Amapiano has cemented itself as one of Africa’s biggest cultural exports right now.

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Brought to you by METRO FM, the SABC’s leading commercial radio station, this year’s MMAs are set to shine even brighter, thanks to ongoing partnerships with the Mpumalanga provincial government and the Motsepe Foundation. While the exact dates for the nominees’ announcement and awards ceremony are still under wraps, you can bet it’ll be worth the wait.

METRO FM’s Business Manager, Kina Nhlengethwa, couldn’t contain her excitement:
“We’re thrilled to kick off the journey to the 2025 METRO FM Music Awards! This year is extra special as South Africa celebrates 30 years of democracy, and we’ve seen some truly incredible music released during this time. To make sure every eligible artist has the chance to submit, we’re giving even more time for entries. We can’t wait to celebrate the best of South African music!”

How to Enter

Entries are open from Sunday, 01 December 2024, and the deadline is Sunday, 02 February 2025. To qualify, all albums, singles, and recordings must have been released between 28 February 2024 and 28 February 2025.

Submitting your entry is easy:

• Visit the METRO FM website to find the entry guidelines, general rules, and submission forms.
• Follow the instructions and make sure your music meets the eligibility criteria.

Once submissions are in, the top five nominees for each category will be unveiled in February, just ahead of the big awards night.

Categories to Compete In

Here’s the lineup of categories where you can make your mark:

• Best Gospel Album
• Best Jazz Album
• Best Produced Album
• Best Collaboration Song
• Song of the Year
• Best Music Video
• Best Viral Challenge
• Best Female Artist
• Best Male Artist
• Best New Artist
• Artist of the Year

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Adding to his triumph, Stonebwoy also snagged the Reggae/Dancehall Artist of the Year award. This follows a string of recent accolades, including the Man of the Year – Music award at the EMY Africa Awards and a major win at the Telecel Ghana Music Awards.

The night saw other stars shine brightly as well. Sarkodie and King Paluta bagged three awards each, while King Promise and Nacee walked away with two apiece. Highlife icon Akosua Adjepong received a standing ovation as she was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

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Garzy was born in to Francis Anim Garzy and Ernestina Abena Kwao. He has a younger brother, Johnson Otoo Kwao. He had his basic education and junior secondary education at Better Best Academy in Tema 4 poles, Ghana. He continued his senior high education at Tema Methodist Senior High School. He later attended the Ghana Institute of Journalism and obtained a certificate and diploma in Broadcast Journalism which gave him a step ahead to work as a part-time DJ at Xfm and Urban Internet Radio in Ghana.

His major productions include “Pull Up” by Stonebwoy,^[3] “My Baby” by Stay Jay ft. R2Bees, “Boom boom tag” by Mista Silva, GH UK based “Enemies” by Jupitar featuring Sarkodie in 2014,^[4] “Iskoki” by Samini,^[5] “KoKo Sakora” by Dr Cryme featuring Sarkodie,^[6] “Alhaji” by VVIP featuring Patoranking, “Hookah” by Danagog featuring Davido, “Love You Die” by Patoranking featuring Diamond Platnumz, “Na Wash” by Becca, and “Obia Agye Obi Girl” by Captain Planet of 4×4 and more.

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Additionally, a new Special Merit Award will be given out for Best Song For Social Change. Other amendments include changes to the GRAMMY Awards entry and voting processes and more.

All new category additions, process amendments, and updates go into effect immediately for the 2023 GRAMMYs.

More on the three new GRAMMY Award Categories

Best African Music Performance

A track and singles Category that recognizes recordings that utilize unique local expressions from across the African continent. Highlighting regional melodic, harmonic and rhythmic musical traditions, the Category includes but is not limited to the Afrobeat, Afro-fusion, Afro Pop, Afrobeats, Alte, Amapiano, Bongo Flava, Genge, Kizomba, Chimurenga, High Life, Fuji, Kwassa, Ndombolo, Mapouka, Ghanaian Drill, Afro-House, South African Hip-Hop, and Ethio Jazz genres.

Best Pop Dance Recording

Recognizes tracks and singles that feature up-tempo, danceable music that follows a pop arrangement. Eligible Pop Dance recordings also feature strong rhythmic beats and significant electronic-based instruments with an emphasis on the vocal performance, melody and hooks. Dance remixes are eligible in the Best Remixed Recording Category only and may not be entered in Best Pop Dance Recording.

Best Alternative Jazz Album

This Category recognizes artistic excellence in Alternative Jazz albums by individuals, duos and groups/ensembles, with or without vocals. Alternative Jazz may be defined as a genre-blending, envelope-pushing hybrid that mixes jazz (improvisation, interaction, harmony, rhythm, arrangements, composition, and style) with other genres, including R&B, Hip-Hop, Classical, Contemporary Improvisation, Experimental, Pop, Rap, Electronic/Dance music, and/or Spoken Word. It may also include the contemporary production techniques/instrumentation associated with other genres.

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