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The 2016 All Africa Music Awards,AFRIMA, would go down as one of the biggest events that has not only redefined the place of Africa in the world music scene, but also, what the continental event represents.
The three-day event, which kicked off on Friday, November 4, with a music business roundtable, where participants charted the way forward for African music lighted up the city of Lagos. The same day, Femi Kuti led an array of music stars, numbering over forty, to the Music Village at the Lagos bar beach waterfront, where they held the world breathless with captivating music.It was a night of celebration of African music and culture.
The award night, which held on Sunday, November 6, at the Eko hotel and Suites was the mother of all award events in Africa. With about 42 countries on the African continent in attendance, including African Union officials, Minister of Information and Cultrure, Lai Mohammed, Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo who was represented by Senator Babafemi Ojodu, this year’s AFRIMA lived up to the expectations of the teeming guests that thronged Lagos for the event.
Elated governor Akinwumi Ambode, while welcoming the guests reiterated Lagos State’s vision of making the city the undeniable entertainment capital of Africa, as well as being the hub of creative expressions in the continent.
This, he said, will open up the economic-viable state for more foreign and local investors.
Ambode who was accompanied to the event by his wife, Bolanle, his deputy, Dr. Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, and other government officials surely has succeeded in positioning Lagos as the first state in the country and on the continent to officially host thousands of Africa’s stars in the city.
Meanwhile, Nigeria carted away some of the big awards of the night.
Among the music stars that made the country proud were Wizkid, Falz, Flavour, Olamide, Phyno, Patoranking, Niniola and Aramide.
Wizkid was adjudged Africa’s Artiste of the Year, after he also won two awards at the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) and the MTV EMA Europe awards. He beat the likes of South Africa’s Black Coffee, Ghana’s Sarkodie and Diamond Platnumz from Tanzania among others to clinch the coveted trophy.
Just as the “Ada Ada”crooner, Flavour won in two categories as Best Artiste/Duo/Group/Band In African Contemporary and the Best Male Artiste, Western Africa, Falz was named as the Revelation of the year.
While Aramide won Best Female Artist Western Africa beating Tiwa Savage and Yemi Alade, Phyno emerged winner of African Fans Favorite award. Rising dance hall singer, Patoranking went home with Best Artist/Duo/Group African Ragga & Dancehall award.
Prior to the historic event, the African Union had targeted four cities as potential hosts for the continental awards ceremony. These cities were: Calabar (Cross River State), Lagos (Lagos State), Port Harcourt (Rivers State) and Uyo (Akwa Ibom State). However, having considered which state has the most motivation to host AFRIMA in line with its values; which has the strongest vision in tourism, culture and entertainment, the AU announced Lagos as the Host City for AFRIMA 2016 on August 15, 2016. vanguard
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