If you blinked on Sunday night, you probably missed one of the biggest moments in African music this year.
Sunday night in Lagos belonged to Rema, as the 25-year-old superstar emerged as the biggest winner at the 9th All Africa Music Awards. The ceremony, held at the Eko Hotels Convention Centre, saw the Mavin Records artiste walk away with three of the night’s most prestigious awards.
Rema kicked off his winning streak with Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, beating out heavyweight contenders including Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid. He didn’t stop there. The singer went on to claim Artiste of the Year, the highest honour of the night, and also picked up Best African Artiste in RnB/Soul for his hit track “Baby, (Is It A Crime).”
Taking the stage, Rema reflected on how far he has come since his breakout in 2019. Now 25, he jokingly described himself as “getting old,” while celebrating seven years of consistency in the industry. According to him, still standing on major stages and receiving awards after all these years is something he doesn’t take lightly.
Beyond the jokes, his speech carried a deeper message. Echoing sentiments from his viral 2023 Headies moment, Rema urged fellow artistes to continue backing African-owned platforms and institutions. He stressed that the long-term global success of Afrobeats depends on unity and support for homegrown structures rather than division.
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The night wasn’t just about Rema, though. The 9th AFRIMA also delivered notable wins for Burna Boy, who clinched Album of the Year for “No Sign of Weakness,” while Shallipopi took home Song of the Year with “Laho.”
Still, when the lights went down and the awards were counted, it was clear who owned the night. ICYMI, Rema didn’t just win big at AFRIMA; he reminded everyone why he remains one of the defining voices of this generation of Afrobeats.
