Malawi duo loses big at Afrima awards

The country’s two representatives at the 2015 African Music Awards (Afrima), Danny Kalima and Blade Deep failed to emerge victorious in their respective categories at an event that was held last Sunday in Lagos, Nigeria.

The continental event made music its focus and brought together artists from all walks of life. Aimed at celebrating African cultures through music, artists from all angles of the continent in their colourful costumes filled up the hall the city.

Kalima was nominated in the best RnB soul category for his song titled “dirty city”. However, Nigerians utilised their numerical advantage as they helped their home grown artist claim the award thereby frustrating the Malawian’s dreams for a first ever international honour.

Blade who is based in the Carribean nation of Barbados, also had his efforts to fly the Malawian flag frustrated having missed the award in the best electronic category.

Another Nigeria artist, Flavour, piled up misery on Malawians who were eagerly waiting for an international recognition before winding up this year.

See the winners list below: ARTIST OF THE YEAR Diamond Platnumz, SONG OF THE YEAR Diamond Platnumz – “Nasema Nawe”, featuring Khadijo Kopa ALBUM OF THE YEAR Charlotte Dipanda – “Elle n’a pas vu” BEST ARTISTE IN AFRICA (RnB & Soul) Praiz Adejo – Nigeria BEST AFRICAN REGGAE, RAGGA & DANCEHALL Stonebwoy, Ghana

BEST MALE ARTISTE: INSPIRATIONAL CATEGORY Darey – Nigeria BEST FEMALE ARTISTE: INSPIRATIONAL CATEGORY Betty Akna- Equatorial Guinea VIDEO OF THE YEAR Wiyaala – Ghana BEST ARTISTE IN AFRICAN POP Vanessa Mdee – Tanzania BEST ARTISTE IN AFRICAN HIP HOP Casper Nyovest .

South Africa BEST ARTISTE IN AFRICAN ELECTRO Flavour – Nigeria PRODUCER OF THE YEAR Sauti Sol and Cedric Kadenyi – Kenya SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR IN AFRICA Joseph Chameleone – Uganda REVELATION OF THE YEAR IN AFRICA Adekunle Gold – Nigeria MOST PROMISING ARTISTE IN AFRICA Kiss Daniel –

Nigeria BEST ARTISTE IN AFRICAN CONTEMPORARY Charlotte Dipanda BEST ARTISTE IN AFRICAN JAZZ Kunle Ayo – Nigeria BEST MALE ARTISTE IN WESTERN AFRICA Olamide – Nigeria BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN WESTERN AFRICA Yemi Alade – Nigeria BEST ARTISTE IN AFRICAN ROCK M’vula –Kenya BEST AFRICAN GROUP Sauti Sol- Kenya

BEST AFRICAN COLLABORATION AKA(South Africa) and Burna Boy(Nigeria) BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA Busiswa Ngoku-South Africa

BEST MALE ARTISTE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA Casper Nyovest- South Africa BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN NORTHERN AFRICA Manal- Morocco BEST MALE ARTISTE IN NORTHERN AFRICA Ahmed Soultan- Morocco

BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN EASTERN AFRICA Tsedenia Gebremarkos- Ethiopia

BEST MALE ARTISTE IN EASTERN AFRICA Diamond Platnumz- Tanzania PILLAR OF CULTURE IN AFRICA Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Jagaban)