Singer Nikita Kering wins two awards at Afrima gala
Kenyan singer Nikita Kering, 20, scooped two awards at the All Africa Music Awards (Afrima), as this year’s gala award went down on Sunday night at the Eko Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria.
Her emphatic win came in the Best Female Artiste East Africa and Best Artiste, Duo/Group in African RnB and Soul categories.
In total, the country bagged five awards at the continental showpiece regarded as the ‘Africa’s Grammys’, with multi-award winning quartet Sauti Sol emerging winners as the Best Group in the continent, while Rash Band bagged the Best in African Rock award.
Teen sensation Shanah Manjeru, 13, also left an indelible mark by becoming the youngest winner ever at Afrima.
Shanah—known for songs such as Destiny, Winner, and We Are One—won in the Best African Female Artiste in Inspirational Music category.
Big bag
“We are very happy; it feels really good to be recognised in Africa, and we are grateful to everyone who voted. We can’t wait to see what her career holds,” Kering’s manager Nelly Kimaita told People Daily yesterday.
On its part, Sauti Sol posted a video on its social pages, expressing their joy and gratitude for adding another gong in their big bag of awards.
“Thank you so much for the award. You guys have been amazing. We thank our fans, the whole Afrima fraternity for holding the music industry down, and also for everybody who voted for us. We don’t take it for granted. Much love. We have a new album coming soon, so stay tuned. Let’s groove!” said Sauti Sol.
However, Malian artiste Iba One was the biggest winner of the night, bagging four awards in Album of the Year, African Male Artiste in Inspirational Music, Best Song Writer and Best Male Artiste from Western Africa.
Ugandan singer Eddy Kenzo won the Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa, with Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz scooping the Best Artist or Duo in African Dance or Choreography in his collaboration with Nigeria’s Flavour and Fally Ipupa from Congo.
Nigerian star Wizkid won three awards out of his four nominations in Best Song of the Year and Best African Collaborations and Best Artiste of the Year. The Afrima Legend Award went to Koffi Olomide.
Tanzanian fast-rising songstress Zuchu performed at the event alongside other musicians from across the continent including D’banj, Patoranking, Chike, and Olakira.
