Diamond, Zuchu, Harmonize, and Director Fole among nominees for Trace Awards 2024
What you need to know:
- Diamond Platnumz has earned a spot in the Song of the Year category for his hit single Komasawa, where he will compete against top names like Nigeria’s Burna Boy
Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian music giants Diamond Platnumz, Zuchu, Harmonize, and director Fole are among the nominees for this year’s highly anticipated Trace Awards, set to celebrate African music excellence across 24 categories.
The awards, taking place in Zanzibar on February 26, 2025, will recognize outstanding achievements in genres such as Afrobeat, dancehall, hip-hop, amapiano, and Bongo Flava, highlighting the continent's diverse musical landscape.
Diamond Platnumz has earned a spot in the Song of the Year category for his hit single Komasawa, where he will compete against top names like Nigeria’s Burna Boy with Higher, Rema and Shallipopi’s Benin Boys, and Asake & Travis Scott’s Active.
In addition, Diamond is nominated for the prestigious Best Male Artist award, facing tough competition from global superstars such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Ghana’s Stonebwoy.
The awards also showcase the international reach of African music, with South Africa’s Tyla and Tyler ICU receiving nods for their tracks Jump and Mnike, respectively, while Burna Boy’s album I Told Them leads the Album of the Year category, alongside Asake’s Lungu Boy and Rema’s Heis.
Other strong contenders include Ghana’s Amaarae (Fountain Baby), Ivory Coast’s Josey (Vibration Universelle), and Togo’s Toofan (Stamina).
Collaboration continues to play a key role in African music’s success, with Burna Boy featuring in the remix of South Africa’s Titom & Yuppe’s Tshwala Bam, and Asake & Wizkid’s MMS among the standout collaborations of the year.
Togo’s Neyna & MC Acondize also shine with Nu Ka Sta Para, exemplifying the unifying power of African music.
In the Best Hip Hop Artist category, Tanzania’s Young Lunya is nominated alongside South Africa’s Nasty C and Ghana’s Sarkodie.
Meanwhile, up-and-coming Tanzanian artist Abigail Chams is in the running for Best Newcomer, showcasing the new wave of talent coming from the region.
The Best Music Video category recognizes directors pushing creative boundaries, with Meji Alabi for DND by Rema and TG Omori for Twe Twe by Kizz Daniel & Davido.
Tanzanian director Fole x is also nominated for his work on Nani (Remix) by Zuchu, highlighting the continued evolution of Tanzanian pop.
In the Best Artist Eastern Africa category, East Africa shines with Harmonize, Diamond Platnumz, and Zuchu among the nominees, alongside Kenya’s Bien, Uganda’s Joshua Baraka, and Ethiopia’s Rophnan.
The Best DJ category sees fierce competition between South Africa’s Tyler ICU and Uncle Waffles, with Nigeria’s DJ Spinall and DJ Tunez also in the mix.
The Best Female Artist nominations feature some of Africa’s brightest stars, including South Africa’s Tyla, Makhadzi, Nigeria’s Tems, and Ayra Starr, representing a new wave of female talent making their mark across the continent.
Regional categories highlight the diversity of African music, with Harmonize, Diamond Platnumz, and Zuchu representing East Africa, while Seyi Vibez and Adekunle Gold lead nominations for West Africa. Southern Africa’s Tyla and Titom & Yuppe are also in the running, alongside Francophone artists like Didi B and Josey.
Other Tanzanian artistes nominated for this year’s Trace Awards include Alikiba, Mbosso, Jux, and Nandy, further showcasing the strength of Tanzania’s vibrant music scene.
