Rema, Mercy Chinwo, and More Triumph at 2025 Trace Awards

On Feb 28, 2025

Nigerian music stars Rema, Mercy Chinwo, Ayra Starr, and D’banj emerged as top winners at the 2025 Trace Awards, held on Wednesday night at the Mora Resort in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Rema secured two major awards, winning Album of the Year for Heis and Best Male Artist. Gospel sensation Mercy Chinwo took home Best Gospel Artist, while Grammy-nominated Ayra Starr was named Best West African Artist.

D’banj received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for his impact on Africa’s music industry. Other Nigerian winners included PPriime, who won Best Producer for MMS, and Meji Alabi, who earned Best Music Video for directing Rema’s DND.

The Trace Awards, now in its second edition, celebrates Africa’s leading artists while highlighting the rich cultural narratives that shape their music.

Also known as the Trace Awards & Summit, the event was launched in 2023 by the Trace Group to mark the 20th anniversary of the French pay-TV music channel Trace TV.

It honors excellence in African and Afro-inspired music and culture worldwide and is broadcast live on Trace TV and Trace Africa across more than 180 countries.

Featuring performances from African and Afro-origin artists globally, the inaugural edition took place on October 21, 2023, at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.

NAN/Oluchi