Celebrating African Beats and Global Vibes 🎶🌍
The Trace Awards & Summit (aka Trace Awards) is the ultimate party for African and Afro-inspired music lovers worldwide! Created by the Trace Group to mark the 20th anniversary of their legendary music channel, Trace TV, this awards show is all about honoring the brightest stars and the biggest hits in African music and culture. 🎉
The first-ever Trace Awards lit up Kigali, Rwanda, on October 21, 2023, at the BK Arena. It was broadcast live in over 180 countries on Trace TV and Trace Africa—talk about a global stage! 🌟
How It All Started
This epic event brings together amazing performances from African and Afro-inspired artists worldwide, with awards dished out in 26 categories. The inaugural edition was also streamed on Trace’s YouTube channel and aired locally on Kigali Channel 2 (KC2 TV) for Rwandan viewers.
A day before the 2023 show, Trace hosted a press conference at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village. Ariella Kageruka, a big name in Rwanda’s Tourism and Conservation Department, hyped the event, talking about its positive impact on Rwanda’s global image. 🌍
What’s Next? Trace Awards 2025 🗓️🔥
In 2025, the Trace Awards are leveling up with a two-day summit before the big night. This time, the spotlight shines on Zanzibar, Tanzania, transforming it into a hub of music, culture, and creativity. 🌴✨
The Mora Zanzibar resort will host the festivities from February 24 to 26, 2025, showcasing 28 categories covering the hottest African music genres and artists. The event will air in over 200 countries on Trace’s 25 channels and streaming platforms, plus more than 50 terrestrial and satellite networks. The audience? A cool 500 million fans worldwide. 😱
Want to know who’s nominated? The list drops on December 4, 2024, and public voting kicks off on December 18, 2024. Get ready to make your voice heard! 🗳️🎤
Dates, Venue and Hosts So Far
| # | Date | Venue | City | Hosts |
|---|
| 1st | October 21, 2023 | BK Arena | Kigali, Rwanda | D’banj & Maria Borges |
| 2nd | February 24-26, 2025 | The Mora | Zanzibar | D'banj and Aaliyah Mohamed |
Award Categories 🏆
Here are the awards categories for the event:
- Best Male
- Best Female
- Song of the Year
- Best Music Video
- Best Newcomer
- Best Collaboration
- Best DJ
- Best Producer
- Best Gospel Artist
- Best Live
- Best Dancer
- Regional Awards (e.g., Best Artist Africa - Anglophone, Francophone, Lusophone)
- Album of the Year
- Lifetime Achievement
- Changemaker
- Global African Act
Winners lists
