Rwanda’s Israel Mbonyi Earns Pan-African Nomination At 2025 Trace Awards in Zanzibar

Israel Mbonyi stands as the only real Rwandan artist nominated for the 2025 Trace Awards, an occasion celebrating Afro-urban music and tradition.

Set to take place at Mora Resort in Zanzibar, Tanzania, from February 24 to 26, Mbonyi earned a nod within the Pan-African class for Best Gospel Artist.

His Kiswahili gospel music “Sikiliza” obtained particular recognition, incomes him a spot alongside different celebrated nominees reminiscent of Tanzania’s Bella Kombo, South Africa’s Spirit of Praise 10, Nigerian artists Mercy Chinwo and Ada Ehi, and Ivorian rapper and evangelist KS Bloom.

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Following the success of its inaugural edition in Kigali in October 2023, the Trace Awards return with a celebration of Africa’s main artists and the cultural narratives that encourage their craft. The 2025 occasion options 28 classes, honoring the continent’s hottest music genres and skills, with reside broadcasts in over 200 nations in English, French, and Portuguese.

From Afrobeat to dancehall, hip-hop, amapiano, and Bongo Flava, the awards will highlight excellent achievements throughout Africa’s various music scene.

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The coveted Song of the Year class options fierce competitors, with nominees together with Diamond Platnumz for his hit single Komasawa, Burna Boy’s Higher, Rema and Shallipopi’s Benin Boys, Tems’ Love Me Jeje, and Coup du Marteau by Team Paiya and Tamsir.

Other contenders embody Tyla’s energetic Jump, Mnike by Tyler ICU, Tshwala Bam by Titom and Yuppe, and Active by Asake and Travis Scott.

African music’s world influence takes heart stage within the Album of the Year class, the place Burna Boy’s I Told Them leads the pack alongside Asake’s Lungu Boy and Rema’s Heis. Other sturdy contenders embody Amaarae’s Fountain Baby (Ghana), Josey’s Vibration Universelle (Ivory Coast), and Toofan’s Stamina (Togo).

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Collaboration continues to outline the yr’s highlights, with notable tasks like Burna Boy’s characteristic on the remix of Tshwala Bam by Titom and Yuppe, and Asake & Wizkid’s MMS. Togo’s Neyna and MC Acondize shine with Nu Ka Sta Para.

The Best Hip Hop Artist class sees a mix of heavyweights and rising stars, with Tanzania’s Young Lunya, South Africa’s Nasty C and Maglera Doe Boy, Ghana’s Sarkodie, Nigeria’s Odumodublvck, and Ivory Coast’s Didi B and Suspect 95 vying for the title.

Emerging skills take the highlight within the Best Newcomer class, that includes Tanzania’s Abigail Chams, Ivorian Himra, South Africa’s Nkosazana Daughter, Senegal’s Mia Guissé, Cameroonian Sabrina, and Nigerian rising stars Shallipopi and Qing Madi.

The Best Music Video class honors boundary-pushing administrators, with Meji Alabi acknowledged for Rema’s DND, TG Omori for Kizz Daniel and Davido’s Twe Twe, and Tanzania’s Fole X for his work on Zuchu’s Nani (Remix).

In the Best Artist Eastern Africa class, the area’s music scene shines with nominees like Harmonize, Diamond Platnumz, and Zuchu, joined by Kenya’s Bien, Uganda’s Joshua Baraka, and Ethiopia’s Rophnan.

The Best DJ class guarantees stiff competitors, that includes South Africa’s Tyler ICU and Uncle Waffles alongside Nigeria’s DJ Spinall and DJ Tunez, every pushing boundaries of their craft.

In the Best Female Artist class, a few of Africa’s brightest stars take the stage, with South Africa’s Tyla and Makhadzi joined by Nigeria’s Tems and Ayra Starr. These artists symbolize a brand new era of feminine expertise shaping the continent’s soundscape.