Rema emerged as the night’s biggest winner at the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) on Sunday, capturing three major accolades, including the prestigious Artiste of the Year title, cementing his position at the apex of African music.
The Benin City-born superstar swept the awards with victories in Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, and Best African Artiste in R&B and Soul, capping a remarkable year that has seen him dominate charts across the continent and beyond. The triple win represents a significant milestone for the 25-year-old artist, whose global hit “Calm Down” continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Rema’s triumph headlined a commanding performance by Nigerian artists at the Lagos ceremony, with fellow heavyweight Burna Boy claiming Album of the Year for “No Sign of Weakness.” The self-proclaimed African Giant also shared the Best African Collaboration award with rising star Shallipopi, whose infectious track “Laho” independently secured Song of the Year honors.
The awards showcase highlighted the depth of talent across the continent. Tanzania’s Juma Jux captured Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa, while industry veteran Phyno took home Best African Artiste in African Hip-Hop, demonstrating the genre’s continued evolution on the continent.
Yemi Alade added to Nigeria’s trophy haul with Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series, or Documentary for “You Are,” featured in the animated series Iyanu, while emerging talent Qing Madi was crowned Most Promising Artiste of the Year, signaling the next generation of African musical excellence.
The ceremony also recognized continental diversity, with winners spanning from Morocco’s El Grande Toto to South Africa’s Tyler ICU and from Algeria’s DJ Moh Green to the DRC’s Fally Ipupa, illustrating AFRIMA’s commitment to celebrating the full spectrum of African musical innovation.
As the Lagos night concluded with Rema hoisting his third trophy, the message resonated clearly: African music’s global ascendancy shows no signs of slowing, and its homegrown stars are leading the charge with unprecedented success.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Rema’s triple win at AFRIMA 2025—including the coveted Artiste of the Year—marks him as Africa’s most decorated artist of the night and underscores Nigerian music’s overwhelming dominance on the continental stage. His sweep of three major categories, alongside strong showings from Burna Boy, Shallipopi, and other Nigerian acts, confirms that Afrobeats has evolved from a regional genre into Africa’s most powerful cultural export, with homegrown talent now commanding both continental recognition and global influence.
