The African Union Commission (AUC) alongside The International Committee of All Africa Music Awards AFRIMA released the 2021 nominees list on Wednesday 22 September 2021. And Zimbabwe is well represented among the nominees. 6 artistes are in the running for awards, showcasing some of the best of Zimbabwean music.
The nomination list covers the final selection from over 8,880 songs submitted for adjudication. The list also featured over 400 songs from artistes in the 30 continental and 10 regional categories, an inclusion of African talents and creatives living on the African continent and scattered across the diaspora.
Sha Sha is up for the Best Female Artist In Southern Africa Award with her last December jam "Woza" which adds on to her recent nominations at the Amapiano Awards. Tamy Moyo is also nominated in the same category with her collaboration with Jah Prayzah "Kuteera" and its a category dominated by mostly South African artists.
Without a doubt the current biggest artist in Zimbabwe, Jah Prayzah is up for the Best Male Artist in Southern Africa Award with his hit song "Mukwasha". He'll be battling it out with mostly Amapiano heavyweights like Blaq Diamond, Focalistic and Major League Djz.
In the Best Artist, Duo/Group In African Reggae/Dancehall Award 3 Zimbabwean artists are nominated. Nutty O features with his hit song "Safe" and ExQ & Tocky Vibes are nominated for their smashing collaboration "Wakatemba".
A member of the 13-man AFRIMA International Jury, representing Diaspora (USA) & West Africa (Guinea), Hadja Kobele, said:
We believe we gave Africans and the world the very best nominations and songs in line with the 8,880 songs received under the year in review.
The nominees list comprising 28 continental award categories and 10 regional award categories released for public voting on www.afrima.org is coming a few days after a rigorous long-week adjudication process. The remaining two categories – Legend award category will be announced at the awards, while Best Soundtrack in a movie/series/documentary film category was suspended due to low quality entries for this year’s edition.
Head of Culture, African Union Commission on the Jury, Angela Martins.