SENEGAL, DAKAR – Popular Zimdancehall chanter Winky D has bagged the Best Male artist in Southern Africa prize at the prestigious All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) held at the 15,000 capacity Dakar Arena in Diamniadio, Senegal on Sunday
Also dubbed the “Teranga Edition”, the AFRIMA celebrate and promote a variety of the continent’s cutting edge music genres and musicians.
The 8th AFRIMA edition held in the West African country received a record 9,067 entries, from which the Jury selected 382 nominations for 39 categories.
Winky D, born Wallace Chirumiko, scooped the prize for his hit track “Happy Again”.
The Zimbabwean celebrity chanter had two nominations for Best Male Artist in Southern Africa and the Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Reggae, Ragga, Dancehall category.
Kabza De Small, Master KG, Focalist, Zakes Bantwini, DJ Tarico, Musketeers, and Gemini Major were among the nominees for Male Artist in Southern Africa.
Despite the presence of music heavy weights in the category, the bearded star was crowned Best Act in Africa at the AFRIMA, solidifying his legacy as one of the continent’s finest artists of his generation.
Winky D has been trending recently for his new album “Eureka”, which is laced with some powerful political and social commentary.
His biting commentary has been met with mixed feelings from among Zimbabweans with some Zanu PF appendages claiming the lyrics were targeted at President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose government is under fire for presiding over high level corruption and failure to deal with massive poverty in the country.
The Teranga Edition also saw the biggest names in Africa’s entertainment industry honoured for their talent and hard work.
Nigerian Afrobeats sensations Burna Boy, WizKid and Davido also scooped awards at the AFRIMA with Burna Boy emerging as the biggest winner scooping the Best Act in Africa and the Best Album of Year award.
Ivorian singer, Didi B won the Song of the Year Award while Guinean singer, Manamba Kanye bagged the Best Female Act in West Africa.
The Teranga Edition featured live performances from Ghana’s rapper Black Sherif, Nigerian sensations Psquare and Tiwa Savage among other acts.
