AFRIMA 2021: Nigerian Nominees Absent As AFRIMA Hosts African Artistes

The All Africa Music Awards held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Sunday, November 21, 2021, and it was indeed a night of glamour, style and panache.

Right from the gate of the venue, it was evident to all that a big event was about to hold. The venue was impressively decorated with different banners and backdrops that welcomed guests from different countries on the African continent.

The red carpet area was expansive and also well decorated. With several media houses on standby, the artistes present exhibited their different outfits on the carpet, even as they were interviewed by journalists.

Eddie Kadi, Pearl Thusi shine as hosts

Undoubtedly one of the highlights of the event were the hosts— South African actress, model and host, Pearl Thusi; and Congolese-British comedian, presenter and actor, Eddie Kadi.

Thusi’s entrance was spectacular and eye-catching and it held many of the guests spellbound. She was brought onto the stage in a bed-like carriage that was lifted by four hefty men who only wore shorts. Reminiscent of an Egyptian princess, it is safe to say that Thusi’s entrance set a high tone for the event.

On stage, she was also wonderful complement to Kadi as the duo fluidly anchored activities at the event.

Nigerian artistes absent

For an event that held in Nigeria’s entertainment capital of Lagos State, it was disgraceful that many of the country’s artistes were a no-show at the event. Even those who won awards were absent and many of them did not even think it fit to send in representatives. It was a snob taken too far and many of the guests could be heard saying that it typified the disregard that many Nigerians have for their own things. A guest could be heard loudly complaining that if it was a foreign event that was hosted in Nigeria, many of the country’s artistes would shamelessly lobby for invites.

Nigerian artistes who won awards at the event were Wizkid, Fireboy DML, Flavour, Cheque. Even though not all the winners enjoy A-list status, it is instructive that none of them were on hand to personally receive the awards. Many of them, including Fireboy and Wizkid did not even send representatives.

Afrocentrism on display

Though many Nigerian artistes were not at the event, that did not remove from the gaiety of the event. Many of the artistes from other African countries present at the event were dressed to the nines and they indeed made good impression.

Most of the artistes were dressed in Afrocentric attire to the admiration of guests and paparazzi who had a field day taking photographs. Their outfits put African culture on full display and guests couldn’t seem to get enough of the African artistes who were gracious enough to oblige their fans as many pictures as they wanted.

Performances to remember

What’s an award ceremony without spectacular performances? Indeed, there was no shortage of great performances at AFRIMA. Some of the performers were Rexxie, Shanah, Patoranking, Makhadzi, Ruger, Zuchu, Ladipoe, Olakira, Chike, Blaq Diamond, Platini P, Calema, Remy Adan, Nomcebo of the Jerusalema fame, Zoe Modiga, Sorais Ramos, Cavemen and Aramide who rendered a song in honour of the late Sound Sultan. The self-acclaimed koko master, D’banj, proved that when it comes to entertaining people, he is a master of the game. His performance was one of the highlights of the night and his fans couldn’t get enough of him. Even when it was time to leave the stage, the ‘Emergency’ singer found it hard to part with the microphone, even as his fans cheered him on.

Winners

The top winners at the prestigious ceremony included Malian singer, Iba One, who carted away five awards— ‘Best Male Artiste in Western Africa’, ‘Album of the Year’, ‘Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Pop’, ‘Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music’ and ‘Songwriter of the Year’.

Nigeria’s Wizkid was also a big winner as he was awarded ‘Best African Collaboration’, ‘Song of the Year’, and ‘Artiste of the Year’ for his hit song, ‘Essence’ featuring Tems.

Other winners include Flavour, 13-year-old Shanah Manjeru from Kenya, Dizzy Dros (Morocco), Djelykaba Bintou (Guinea), Yonas Maynas (Eritrea) and Steven Awuku (Guinea), among others.

For her role in the movement to make Juneteenth a national holiday in commemoration of the June 19, 1865 announcement of General Order No. 3 by Union Army general, Gordon Granger, proclaiming freedom for slaves in Texas, United States of America, 95-year-old African-American activist, Opal Lee, was given a lifetime achievement awards.