Nigerian music sensations Rema, Davido and Burna-Boy have won big at the 2023 Trace Awards in Kigali, Rwanda. 

The event, emceed by Nigerian music icon Dapo Oyebanji, popularly known as D’Banj, and co-hosted by Angolan supermodel Maria Borges, featured over 100 nominated artists. 

It showcased the rich diversity and excellence of Afro-centric music spanning genres like Afrobeats, Dancehall, Hip Hop, Afro-pop, R&B, Amapiano, and more. The star-studded lineup of performers included Davido, Yemi Alade, Black Sherif, Kizz Daniel, and many others.

Rema stole the spotlight at the award show, outshining Burna Boy and Davido by clinching the prestigious ‘Song of the Year’ award for his global sensation, ‘Calm Down’. He didn’t stop there; Rema also secured the ‘Best Global African Artist’ award. 

Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ continued with its remix featuring Selena Gomez, earning accolades and reaching an impressive No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. 

Davido wasn’t left behind, scoring victories in the categories of ‘Best Male’ and ‘Best Collaboration’ for his chart-topper ‘Unavailable’, featuring Musa Keys. 

Burna Boy, known for his artistic prowess, claimed the highly-coveted ‘Album of the Year’ award for ‘Love Damini.’ Meanwhile, Yemi Alade secured the ‘Video of the Year’ award, and Kel P was crowned ‘Best Producer of the Year.’ 

Legendary TuFace was honoured with the prestigious Life Achievement Award.

Full list of winners and nominees

Song of the Year: Calm Down – Rema

Album of the Year: Love Damini – Burna Boy

Best Music Video: Baddie – Yemi Alade

Best Male: Davido

Best Female: Viviane Chidid (Senegal)

Best Collaboration: “Unavailable” – Davido (Nigeria) with Musa Keys (South Africa)

Best Newcomer: Roseline Layo (Ivory Coast)

Best DJ: Michael Brun (Haiti)

Best Producer: Tam Sir (Ivory Coast)

Best Gospel Artist: KS Bloom (Ivory Coast)

Best Live: Fally Ipupa (DRC)

Best Dancer: Robot Boii (South Africa)

Best Artist Africa – Anglophone: Asake (Nigeria)

Best Artist Africa – Francophone: Didi B (Ivory Coast)

Best Artist Africa – Lusophone: Lisandro Cuxi (Cape Verde)

Best Artist – Rwanda: Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)

Best Artist – East Africa: Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

Best Artist – France & Belgium: Tayc (France)

Best Artist – UK: Central Cee (UK)

Best Artist – The Caribbean: Rutshelle Guillaume (Haiti)

Best Artist – Indian Ocean: Goulam (Comoros)

Best Artist – Brazil: Ludmilla (Brazil)

Best Artist – North Africa: Dystinct (Morocco)