AFRIMA 2021:
African Queens Battle for ‘Best Act in the Diaspora’
WHEREVER you go in the
world, you are definitely going to encounter an African. Apart from being
blessed with a unique strong-will that soundtracks migration, Africans are also
among some of the most talented entertainers in the world.
In this year's All Africa
Music Award (AFRIMA), the spotlight beams on the uniquely talented female
singers blazing the trail for Afrobeats' global domination. From the streets of
London to the stages in France, these African queens continue to soar with
their vivacious voices, enigmatic charisma, alongside their feminine charm.
The ‘Best Act in the
Diaspora’ was added to AFRIMA awards in 2018 with Hazel Mak (Malawi) as the
first winner. Manno Beats (Chad) emerged winner in 2019.
Check out these African
queens nominated in the ‘Best Act in the Diaspora’ female category:
l ABIR (Morocco/USA)
Everytime you talk to a
mainstream music lover in Morocco about Abir Harroni, their eyes are likely to
lit up with excitement. Apart from being a strong-willed pop musician, the
New-York-based singer is also notable for her cultural expositions and
stereotype-smashing philosophies, which she infuses into her music.
l AYA NAKAMURA (Mali/France)
In the Malian music
scene, Aya Nakamura towers as a maverick par excellence. The 26-year-old singer
has been on the billboard for Francophone-African music in the global musicdom.
With her lyrics, she champions a feminist agenda, as well as swoon over a
massive fanbase with her compelling love-based soundpieces.
l MS. BANKS (Nigeria/UK)
Thyra-Oji is not just a
femme-dominating rapper, she is actually one of the most vibrant black artistes
in the UK, where she resides. The Nigerian act rose to prominence around 2014,
following the release of her inspiring debut dubbed, 'Once Upon A Grind'. She
is also one of the most respected acts in the UK music scene, with co-signs
from other heavyweights such as Cardi B, among others.
l NAOMI ACHU (Cameroon/USA)
Multiple award-winning
singer, Naomi Achu, is one of the most popular acts native to Cameroon. The
acclaimed 'Queen of Bamenda' is notable for being one of the women who
popularized Cameroonian pop music in the global music circuit. Her 2011 smash
hit, 'Alhadji', became a global music sensation.
l RIMON (Eritrea/Netherlands)
The Eritrea indigene is
a dancehall, neo-soul and hip-hop maverick beaming her vivacious sounds from
her Amsterdam base to the rest of the world. Her most recent release dubbed, 'I
Shine, U Shine' is a captivating project stewed in complex and mature lyricism
on the concepts of love and fear.
l NATA (Sierra Leone/USA)
Within the league of
Black American rappers, NATA is one female emcee that stands out from miles
away. Born within the Bronx suburbs of New York, this Sierra Leonean rap
sweetheart, as she is fondly called, is
an emerging musical maverick inspiring young people with her life experiences
embroiled within her fiery raps. While her music does not necessarily revolve
around being Sierra Leonean, she reps African fashion and often speaks about
the dichotomy of being an African American and Sierra Leonean in America.
l SHAYBO (Nigeria/UK)
The Nigerian-born
Lewisham rapper is self-acclaimed as the 'Queen of the South'. The ferocious
emcee is one of Africa's jewels in the UK music scene, creating a powerful
momentum for black acts globally. The superstar has renewed her claim to the
crown with her newest album dubbed, 'Queen of the South,' which aptly draws
parallels to its namesake TV series.
AFRIMA 2021 holds at Eko
Hotel and Suites, Lagos, Nigeria from Friday, November 19 - Sunday, November
21, 2021. Preceding the award ceremony is the African Music Business Summit
(AMBS), a platform for business networking and interaction among music
professionals which will take place on Friday, November 19, 2021at 8.30am.
AFRIMA Music Fest, an
evening of non-stop music concerts with live performances from African music
superstars will take place on the same day of November 19 from 6.00pm. Sunday,
November 21, 2021 comes with glitz from Africa’s music superstars, celebrities,
and international personalities at AFRIMA awards ceremony with Red Carpet at
4.30pm and main awards at 7.30pm. Voting and ticket sales are ongoing on AFRIMA
website www.afrima.org .
AFRIMA has been regarded
as the ultimate celebration and recognition of African talents and creatives
globally since 2014.
For more information,
please contact:
Maureen Ihua-Maduenyi
Email – maureen.ihuamaduenyi@afrima.org
Phone – +2348026620173