Rema Wins ‘Artiste Of The Year’ At 2025 AFRIMA Awards
Nigerian Afrobeats star, Rema was the biggest winner at the ninth All Africa Music Awards, which was held at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos, on Sunday night.
The Afrobeats star clinched the coveted ‘Artiste of the Year’ award at the ceremony.
Rema won the ‘Best Male Artiste in Western Africa’ and ‘Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African RnB & Soul’, underscoring his dominant influence on the continent’s music scene over the past year.
His triple win capped a colourful night that celebrated African music across regional and continental categories and drew top artistes, industry executives and cultural stakeholders from across Africa and beyond.
Meanwhile, Burna Boy won the ‘Album of the Year’ award while Shallipopi’s ‘Laho’ emerged ‘Song of the Year’ and Phyno won ‘Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Hip Hop’.
In the regional categories, Singuila of Congo won ‘Best Male Artiste in Central Africa’ while Cindy Le Coeur of the Democratic Republic of Congo clinched ‘Best Female Artiste in Central Africa’.
The East Africa honours went to Jux of Tanzania as ‘Best Male Artiste’, as Denise of Madagascar emerged ‘Best Female Artiste’ while Team Paiya of Côte d’Ivoire emerged ‘Best African Duo, Group or Band’.
Adviser of Mauritania won ‘Best Male Artiste’, with Egypt’s Sherine taking home ‘Best Female Artiste’.
Southern Africa saw Yo Maps of Zambia emerge as ‘Best Male Artiste’ while South Africa’s Nontokozo Mkhize won ‘Best Female Artiste’.
In West Africa, Rema claimed ‘Best Male Artiste’ while Ghana’s Wendy Shay emerged as ‘Best Female Artiste’.
In the continental categories, Milo of Côte d’Ivoire won ‘Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music’ while compatriot Morijah clinched the female category.
Guinea’s Manamba Kanté won ‘Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Pop’ while Benin Republic’s Axel Merryl took ‘Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Contemporary’.
Yemi Alade clinched ‘Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary’ for ‘You Are’ while Senegal’s Bakhaw Dioum won ‘Songwriter of the Year’ for ‘Choix’.
South Africa’s Ciza clinched ‘Breakout Artiste of the Year’ while Qing Madi of Nigeria won ‘Most Promising Artiste of the Year’.
The night further highlighted African collaboration and diversity with Shallipopi and Burna Boy’s ‘Laho’ winning ‘Best African Collaboration’.
“It’s An Insult To Call Wizkid ‘New Fela’
–Seun Kuti Tells Wizkid FC
Seun Kuti, son of legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has described comparisons between Afrobeats star Wizkid and his late father as disrespectful.
Speaking during a recent Instagram livestream, Kuti cautioned Wizkid’s fans popularly known as Wizkid FC, against portraying the singer as a modern-day version of Fela.
He maintained that equating any contemporary artist with the Afrobeat icon diminishes the uniqueness and historical significance of his father’s legacy.
He said, “Wizkid FC keep Fela’s name out of your mouths. You try to claim that your fake artiste is the new Fela.
Then when you people saw that the shoes were too big to fill and people like me also did not allow you to get away with those insults… It is actually an insult [to compare Wizkid to Fela].
“You people have no respect. I like it when people don’t have respect as a form of defiance. If your lack of respect came from a place of defiance, I will respect it. But your lack of respect came from a place of ignorance…
“Wizkid fans are online disrespecting Fela again. Why must you always involve Fela in your petty discussions? The overzealousness of some of fans has significantly affected the music industry negatively. Some artists can’t even collaborate because of fan rivalries.
“I think Wizkid FC is the most ignorant fanbase in the world… You need to stop misbehaving. Concentrate on your artist. Can’t you enjoy their music without comparing it to something else? Do you know why you cannot enjoy your artist’s music without comparing it to something else? It is because the music does not fill your spirit. You can pretend to be enjoying it but spiritually, you are not satisfied.”
Asake Meets President John Mahama After Ghana Show
Nigerian Afrobeats sensation, Asake has held a high-profile meeting with Ghanaian President John Mahama.
The encounter took place during the singer’s visit to Ghana where he headlined the first day of the 2025 AfroFuture Ghana festival at the El-Wak Stadium in Accra.
In a widely circulated video, Asake, whose full name is Ahmed Ololade is seen entering a room with his team and warmly greeting Mahama and his associates.
Also present at the gathering were prominent Ghanaian actor John Dumelo and businessman Ibrahima Mahama.
During the introduction, Mahama asked if Asake was the reason a fan discharged a firearm during the ‘December in GH’ concert at El-Wak Stadium on December 28.
“So he is the one the guy fired the gun for?” Mahama asked, to which the singer’s entourage nodded affirmatively.
Upon confirmation from the group, he remarked, “And he ended up in trouble,” a comment that elicited laughter from those present.
Seizing the moment, Asake expressed remorse for the incident and appealed for clemency on behalf of the suspect, attributing the act to a spontaneous moment of over-excitement.
In response, Mahama said: “Don’t worry about it. The law is the law”.
The suspect was apprehended for the unlawful possession and discharge of a firearm at a public event.
Asake rose to fame in 2020 with his hit song ‘Lady’ and joined YBNL in February 2022. He has released three studio albums: Mr Money With The Vibes (2022), Work of Art (2023) and Lungu Boy (2024).
The Grammy-nominated artiste is one of the leading voices in the Nigerian music industry with a plethora of nominations and awards for his craft.
He was nominated for this year’s Grammy Awards in the ‘Best African Music Performance’ category but lost to fellow Nigerian artist Tems.
The singer recently confirmed that he has relocated to Los Angeles, United States.
I’ve Stopped Impregnating Women Anyhow
–2Baba
Veteran Nigerian singer, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba said he has stopped impregnating women anyhow, noting that he no longer lives the way many people believe.
The singer made the statement recently during the MC EdoPikin Undiluted with StarBoy and Legends show in Benin City, Edo State shortly before his performance.
Speaking directly to the audience, the African Queen crooner said he decided to speak openly so as to correct public perception about his past and clear his name.
“But see, I get confession. I dey make this confession everywhere I go now to set the record straight. I don stop to dey do that kind of thing. I don stop to dey give belle anyhow. I swear, ask anybody now, they will tell you that I’m innocent,” he said.
2Baba has for years been in the public eye not just for his music career but also for his personal life which has often sparked conversations on social media due to his relationships with women.
His first known baby mama is Sumbo Adeoye, with whom he has two sons, Zion and Nino. Their relationship reportedly ended around 2009 after revelations of his involvement with other women.
The singer also has three children with his second baby mama, Pero Adeniyi between 2006 and 2012.
With Annie Macaulay-Idibia, 2Baba shares two daughters. The couple got married in 2012 but announced their separation in 2025.
More recently, the music star welcomed a child with his new partner, Natasha Osawaru, a relationship that has continued to draw public attention following reports of a controversial marriage.
This development comes shortly after 2Baba shared his views on music and talent in the industry, insisting that there is no such thing as a “wack artist.”
In a separate video message, the veteran singer said every song is created to stir emotions and that success in music goes beyond talent alone. “Every music is tailored to evoke an emotion, to create a spirit. There is nothing like a wack artist,” he said.
He added that many artistes often labelled as wack end up more successful because they understand the business side of music.
“That is why many of the so-called wack artists are more bankable than the talented ones. Because they understand that it is not the art itself, it is the marketing of that art,” he said.
The singer further stressed that no song can appeal to everyone, noting that acceptance depends largely on promotion and how well the music connects with its target audience.
“No matter how talented you are or how sweet your music is, there is no music that everybody likes. Everything is narrowed down to the marketing, promotion and the business. It is only those who resonate with your music that will like,” he added.
Adekunle Gold, Simi Celebrate Seventh Wedding Anniversary
Popular Nigerian singers, Adekunle Gold and Simi have taken to social media to celebrate their seventh wedding anniversary, sharing heartfelt messages that drew admiration from fans and fellow celebrities.
Adekunle Gold in a lengthy Instagram described Simi as his best friend, reflecting on their journey together since tying the knot seven years ago.
“Seven years ago, I married my best friend. And somehow, every year since then has been gentler than the last,” he wrote.
The singer noted that their marriage has been built on laughter, growth, faith and a conscious decision to keep choosing each other.
“We’ve laughed hard, grown deeply, prayed sincerely and chosen each other again and again,” he added.
Adekunle Gold went on to describe loving his wife as the easiest and most beautiful decision of his life, stressing that his heart remains firmly rooted with her.
“And through it all, loving you has been the easiest, most beautiful decision of my life. Seven years in and my heart still knows where it belongs. I love you Simi,” he concluded.
Reacting to her husband’s post in the comment section, Simi simply wrote, “I love you.”
In a separate Instagram post, Simi also penned an emotional tribute to Adekunle Gold, expressing gratitude for their bond and reaffirming her love for him seven years into their marriage.
“My baby. Seven years… You’re still the one,” she wrote.
Simi recalled how a friend once questioned her choice while they were still dating, explaining that their connection had always felt natural.
“I remember when we were still dating and a friend asked me, ‘why him?’ I said, ‘we just fit.’ We still fit,” she said.
The singer praised her husband for his attentiveness, love and support, noting that he makes her feel seen without having to fight for it.
“You see me. You’re mindful of me. You love me. You know I’m not a gentlelady. I’m a fighter but thank you for not letting me have to fight to be seen and loved,” she added.
Popular Nigerian singers, Adekunle Gold and Simi. Credit: IG | adekunlegold
She further thanked Adekunle Gold for being a good man and a dependable partner, describing him as worth every sacrifice she has made as a wife and mother.
“Thank you for being a good man because those are hard to come by. Thank you for taking care of me. Thank you for being worth the sacrifice it takes to be a wife and a mommy,” she wrote.
Simi ended her message with a declaration of love and prayer for the future of their marriage.
“I love you. Husband of my youth. Ká pé fún wa lọ́rùkọ Jesu,” she concluded.
The anniversary posts attracted an outpouring of love from fans and celebrities.
A fan wrote, “Amin. Happy anniversary to you love birds,”
Another fan also commented, “The hand of the Lord is truly upon this marriage. God will perfect all that concerns you both in this 7th year.”
Content creator Switope also congratulated the couple, writing, “Congratulations and Happy Anniversary simsim,” as several others flooded the comment sections with heart emojis, prayers and celebratory messages.
Adekunle Gold and Simi who are regarded as one of Nigeria’s most admired celebrity couples got married in 2019 and share a daughter together.
Written By
Global Excellence
Global Excellence Magazine is Nigeria's foremost soft-sell magazine, delivering premium news, lifestyle, and society updates for over two decades.