Entertainment
Davido, Rema Shine Bright At 2023 Trace Awards [Full List]
At the inaugural Trace Awards in Kigali, Rwanda, on October 21, 2023, Nigerian music sensations Davido and Rema were honored, gaining significant recognition for their ingenuity and influence.
The ceremony spotlighted the talent of African and Afro-inspired musicians.
At the event, Rema clinched the ‘Song of the Year’ award for “Calm Down,” while the prestigious ‘Best Global African Artiste’ title was jointly presented to Davido and Nomcebo.
Davido triumphed in ‘Best Male’ and ‘Best Collaboration’ categories, while Burna Boy secured the ‘Album of the Year’ accolade.
The 2023 Trace Awards, hosted by Nigerian singer D’Banj and Angolan supermodel Maria Borges, showcased a diverse range of winners, reflecting the excellence in the music industry.
See full list below:
Album of the Year:
- Love Damini – Burna Boy (Nigeria) – Winner
- DNK – Aya Nakamura (France)
- Maverick – Kizz Daniel (Nigeria)
- More Love, Less Ego – Wizkid (Nigeria)
- Timeless – Davido (Nigeria)
Song of the Year:
- “Calm Down” – Rema (Nigeria) – Winner
- “Last Last” – Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- “Rush” – Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
- “Peru” – Fireboy DML (Nigeria) with Ed Sheeran (UK)
- “Sete” – K.O (South Africa)
- “Cough” – Kizz Daniel (Nigeria)
- “MORTEL 06” – Innoss’B (DRC)
- “BKBN” – Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
- “People” – Libianca (Cameroon)
- “Suavemente” – Soolking (France)
- “Encre” – Emma’a (Gabon)
- “Sugarcane” – Camidoh (Ghana)
Best Music Video:
- “Baddie” – Yemi Alade (Nigeria) – Winner
- “Kpaflotage” – Suspect 95 (Ivory Coast)
- “Loaded” – Tiwa Savage (Nigeria) & Asake (Nigeria)
- “Ronda” – Blxckie (South Africa)
- “Tombolo” – Kalash (Martinique)
- “Yatapita” – Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Best Male:
- Davido (Nigeria) – Winner
- Asake (Nigeria)
- Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Didi B (Ivory Coast)
- K.O (South Africa)
- Rema (Nigeria)
Best Female:
- Viviane Chidid (Senegal) – Winner
- Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
- Josey (Ivory Coast)
- Nadia Mukami (Kenya)
- Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
- Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
Best Collaboration:
- “Unavailable” – Davido (Nigeria) ft Musa Keys (South Africa) – Winner
- “Many Ways” – BNXN (Nigeria) ft Wizkid (Nigeria)
- “Mine” – Show Dem Camp (Nigeria) ft Oxlade (Nigeria)
- “Peru” – Fireboy DML (Nigeria) ft Ed Sheeran (UK)
- “Second Sermon” – Black Sherif (Ghana) ft Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- “Sete” – K.O (South Africa) ft Young Stunna (South Africa), Blxckie (South Africa)
- “Stamina” – Tiwa Savage ft Ayra Starr (Nigeria) & Young Jonn (Nigeria)
- “Trumpet” – Olamide (Nigeria) ft Ckay (Nigeria)
Best Newcomer:
- Roseline Layo (Ivory Coast) – Winner
- Azawi (Uganda)
- Krys M (Cameroon)
- Libianca (Cameroon)
- Nissi (Nigeria)
- Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
- Pabi Cooper (South Africa)
Best DJ:
- Michael Brun (Haiti) – Winner
- Danni Gato (Cape Verde)
- DJ BDK (Ivory Coast)
- DJ Illans (France)
- DJ Spinall (Nigeria)
- Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)
Best Producer:
- Tam Sir (Ivory Coast) – Winner
- DJ Maphorisa (South Africa)
- Juls (Ghana)
- Kabza de Small (South Africa)
- Kel-P (Nigeria)
Best Gospel Artiste:
- KS Bloom (Ivory Coast) – Winner
- Benjamin Dube (South Africa)
- Janet Otieno (Kenya)
- Levixone (Uganda)
- Moses Bliss (Nigeria)
Best Live:
- Fally Ipupa (DRC) – Winner
- Burna Boy (Nigeria)
- Musa Keys (South Africa)
- The Compozers (Ghana)
- Wizkid (Nigeria)
- Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
Best Dancer:
- Robot Boii (South Africa) – Winner
- Tayc (France)
- Uganda Ghetto Kids (Uganda)
- Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
- Zuchu (Tanzania)
Best Artiste Africa – Anglophone:
- Asake (Nigeria) – Winner
- Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
- Black Sherif (Ghana)
- Davido (Nigeria)
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
- Fireboy DML (Nigeria)
Best Artiste Africa – Francophone:
- Didi B (Ivory Coast) – Winner
- Emma’a (Gabon)
- Fally Ipupa (DRC)
- KO-C (Cameroon)
- Locko (Cameroon)
- Serge Beynaud (Ivory Coast)
- Viviane Chidid (Senegal)
Best Artiste Africa – Lusophone:
- Lisandro Cuxi (Cape Verde) – Winner
- Gerilson Insrael (Angola)
- Perola (Angola)
- Plutonio (Mozambique)
- Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
Best Artiste – Rwanda:
- Bruce Melodie (Rwanda) – Winner
- Ariel Wayz (Rwanda)
- Bwiza (Rwanda)
- Chriss Eazy (Rwanda)
- Kenny Sol (Rwanda)
Best Artiste – East Africa:
- Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) – Winner
- Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
- Zuchu (Tanzania)
- Khaligraph (Kenya)
- Nadia Mukani (Kenya)
- Azawi (Uganda)
Best Artiste – France & Belgium:
- Tayc (France) – Winner
- Aya Nakamura (France)
- Booba (France)
- Nihno (France)
- Ronisia (France)
- Soolking (France)
Best Artiste – UK:
- Central Cee (UK) – Winner
- Headie One (UK)
- Ms Banks (UK)
- Raye (UK)
- Stormzy (UK)
Best Artiste – The Caribbean:
- Rutshelle Guillaume (Haiti) – Winner
- Admiral T (Guadeloupe)
- Bamby (French Guiana)
- Kalash (Martinique)
- Maureen (Martinique)
- Popcaan (Jamaica)
- Princess Lover (Martinique)
- Shenseea (Jamaica)
Best Artiste – Indian Ocean:
- Goulam (Comoros) – Winner
- Donovan BTS (Mauritius)
- GaEi (Madagascar)
- Mik’l (Reunion)
- Sega el (Reunion)
- Terrell Elymoor (Mayotte)
Best Artiste – Brazil:
- Ludmilla (Brazil) – Winner
- Djonga (Brazil)
- Iza (Brazil)
- Leo Santana (Brazil)
- Luedji Luna (Brazil)
Best Artiste – North Africa:
- Dystinct (Morocco) – Winner
- Amira Zouhair (Morocco)
- Artmasta (Tunisia)
- El Grande Toto (Morocco)
- Kader Japonais (Algeria)
- Raja Meziane (Algeria)
Controversial Nigerian singer Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington or Akpi, has been released from Kuje Prison following a court directive.
Activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju disclosed this development on Tuesday, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “Speed Darlington is out of Kuje Prison.”
The singer’s release came after an Abuja court granted him bail. This decision followed intense public pressure on the Nigeria Police Force, which led to his arraignment.
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Prior to his release, Speed Darlington had petitioned Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Intelligence Bureau, DIG Dasuki Galadanchi, over his prolonged detention. He called on the DIG to comply with a court order directing his release or formal arraignment.
Justice M.S. Liman had earlier issued an order on December 23, 2024, mandating the police to charge the singer within 48 hours or release him unconditionally.
Speed Darlington’s arrest stemmed from allegations he made against Grammy Award-winning singer Burna Boy. The singer accused Burna Boy of being involved in an immoral relationship with embattled U.S. rapper and music executive Sean Combs, also known as P. Diddy.
The situation has sparked widespread discussions, with many Nigerians expressing relief at Speed Darlington’s freedom while others continue to debate the circumstances surrounding his arrest.
Veteran Nollywood actor, Dele Odule, has opened up about the most heartbreaking moment of his life, revealing it was when he lost his first child.
The 63-year-old Yoruba movie icon shared the emotional experience during an interview with his colleague, Kunle Afod, recounting how the loss deeply affected him, especially given the challenges surrounding the child’s birth.
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Odule described the tragic news as “very hard” to bear, adding that he has since come to accept it as the will of God. Despite the acceptance, the actor expressed his fervent hope never to endure such a devastating tragedy again.
He said, “The saddest moment of my life was when I was called that my first child died. It was very hard on me. It was hard because of the situation faced during the child’s birth, but no one can question God’s authority. It was so bad that I don’t pray for it anymore.”
Known for his roles in classic Yoruba films, Odule continues to share both his professional and personal experiences, endearing himself to fans and colleagues alike.
In early January 2025, Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy fulfilled a promise by gifting $30,000 to Bethel Okechukwu, a phone repairer from Alaba Market who had claimed to be related to socialite Cubana Chief Priest.
This act of generosity occurred amid an ongoing feud between Burna Boy and the Cubana Chief Priest.
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Following the donation, Cubana Chief Priest clarified that Bethel Okechukwu is not his brother, stating, “I have only one biological big brother & two kid sisters. They ain’t doing so bad.” He emphasized that he is not obligated to support his siblings financially and urged the public to verify such claims.
As of now, there are no credible reports indicating that Burna Boy instructed Bethel Okechukwu to take any specific actions towards Cubana Chief Priest after receiving the $30,000. The narrative appears to be centered around Burna Boy’s charitable gesture and Cubana Chief Priest’s subsequent clarification regarding his familial relationships.
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