Haitians Among Winners Of Trace Awards 2023 As Kenyan Artists Miss Out

Mukami and Otieno, who both performed at the awards ceremony, were nominated for the Best Female Artist and Best Gospel Artist categories respectively.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Oct 22, 2023 - 17:26 Updated: Oct 22, 2023 - 17:53
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Haitians Among Winners Of Trace Awards 2023 As Kenyan Artists Miss Out
Kenyan artists Nadia Mukami and Janet Otieno performing at the Trace Awards 2023 on October 21, 2023. /TRACE

Kenyan artists Nadia Mukami and Janet Otieno on Saturday, October 21 missed out on the list of winners of the inaugural Trace Awards 2023 held in Kigali, Rwanda.

Mukami and Otieno, who both performed at the awards ceremony, were nominated for the Best Female Artist and Best Gospel Artist categories respectively.

Mukami, known for songs such as Radio Love, Kai Wangu, Zawadi among others lost out to Viviane Chidid of Senegal who won Best Female Artist and caused an upset by beating Rush hitmaker Ayra Starr of Nigeria.

Otieno on her part lost out to KS Bloom of Ivory Coast who won Best Gospel Artist. She was the only female gospel artist in contention.

A trophy on display at the Trace Awards 2023 on October 21, 2023. /TRACE

Mukami took to her Instagram stories in reaction to losing out on the award by sharing a screengrab of a quote which read "There is no growth without mistakes. Allow yourself to make mistakes and learn from them."

On her part, Otieno wrote on her Instagram post "Dear God, I come before you this Sunday with a heart full of gratitude."

"These past few months you have brought me new opportunities to make a bigger impact in the world through my music ministry. May your will always be done. In Your name, we pray. AMEN."

Nonetheless, Otieno reshared reactions from her Kenyan fans who were keenly following the proceedings of the awards from home as streamed on Trace TV, radio and digital channels and on global streaming platforms, national terrestrial TV and satellite channels.

Bongo flava star Diamond Platnumz dominated East Africa by winning Best Artiste and delivered an impressive performance at the awards event accompanied by his signee, Zuchu, beating the likes of Kenya's Khaligraph Jones.

Nigerian stars Davido and Rema dominated the awards, each taking home two trophies. Nigeria's prominence in African music was evident, with Davido receiving the Best Male award and sharing the Best Collaboration prize with South Africa's Musa Keys for their song 'Unavailable.'

Rema was recognised as the Global African Artiste and secured the Song of the Year award for 'Calm Down.' 

Burna Boy's 'Love Damini' won Best Album following an exceptional work of art put into its making that won hearts, further cementing his position as a global icon. Bruce Melodie received the Best Rwandan Artiste award, becoming a local favourite.

Internationally, Michael Brun from Haiti won best disc jockey (DJ). Brun is based in New York, United States (US) and is known for blending electronic music with traditional Haitian styles such as kompa and rara.

The 31-year-old released his debut EP Gravity in 2013 and founded the record label Kid Coconut in 2014, to showcase Haitian music and develop Haitian artists.

Another Haitian, Rutshelle Guillaume, won Best Artist in the Caribbean, shocking favourites such as Popcaan and Shenseea, both from Jamaica.

“Tonight has been a triumphant demonstration of the power and creativity of African and African-origin artists. 

"All the nominees and performers at the Trace Awards underlined exactly why African contemporary music has become a global phenomenon. We congratulate all the nominees, winners and performers for their achievements and for demonstrating their talent, imagination and creativity to a global audience," Olivier Laouchez, Chairman and Co-Founder of Trace, stated in a press release sent to Viral Tea.

Here is the full list of winners:

  1. Best Male Artist - Davido (Nigeria)
  2. Best Female Artist - Viviane Chidid (Senegal)
  3. Song of the Year - Calm Down - Rema (Nigeria)
  4. Best Music Video - Baddie - Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
  5. Best Newcomer - Roseline Layo (Ivory Coast)
  6. Album of the Year - Love Damini - Burna Boy (Nigeria)
  7. Best Collaboration - Unavailable - Davido (Nigeria) with Musa Keys (South Africa)
  8. Best Producer - Tam Sir (Ivory Coast)
  9. Best Gospel Artist - KS Bloom (Ivory Coast)
  10. Best Live Performer - Fally Ipupa (DRC)
  11. Best Dancer - Robot Boii (South Africa)
  12. Best Global Artist - Rema (Nigeria)
  13. Best Artist Africa (Anglophone) - Asake (Nigeria)
  14. Best Artist Africa (Francophone) - Didi B (Ivory Coast)
  15. Best Artist Africa (Lusophone) - Lisandro Cuxi (Cape Verde)
  16. Best Artist North Africa - Dystinct (Morocco)
  17. Best Artist Indian Ocean - Goulam (Comoros)
  18. Change Maker Artist - Mr. Eazi (Nigeria)
  19. Best East Africa Artist - Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
  20. Best Artist Africa (Lusophone) - Lisandro Cuxi (Cape Verde)
  21. Best Artist Rwanda - Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
  22. Best Artist France & Belgium - Tayc (France)
  23. Best Artist UK - Central Cee (UK)
  24. Best Artist The Caribbean - Rutshelle Guillaume (Haiti)
  25. Best Artist Brazil - Ludmilla (Brazil)
  26. Best DJ- Michael Brun (Haiti)

Davido following proceedings at the Trace Awards 2023 on October 21, 2023. /TRACE

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