AFRIMA releases 31 award categories

•Urges artistes to submit entries online
Following the historic event that saw Nigeria emerged as the winner of the hosting right of AFRIMA (Africa Music Awards) on Sunday October 6, 2013, the International Committee of AFRIMA has officially released 31 award categories – and these are divided into the regional and non-regional categories.
Michael Strano, Regional Director, AFRIMA, East Africa and co-producer says: “The African continent has had her fair share of award events but AFRIMA also stands out by being the only one that would honour music professionals, who operate behind the scenes; who have hitherto been neglected because awards organisers largely see their activities as trivial. For the very first time, honour would be accorded people who are engaged in the art of song writing, producing and music/entertainment journalism.”
As the excitement of this Pan-African platform to honour music professionals continues to reverberate, the organizers say African artistes have the opportunity to embrace the revolution by entering their works digitally to compete in one or more of the 31 categories.
The entries start from March 28, 2014 and would run till June 20, 2014 in accordance with the tentative 2014 calendar which is expected to be ratified at the AFRIMA international committee’s conference in Cotonou, Benin Republic from November 21-24, 2013 where five regional directors and 32 country directors are expected to attend. The entries will include the video, the song, and profile update of the artiste only.
Another innovative side to AFRIMA 2014 is the live performances by different artistes at the AFRIMA Village that would run from October 24, 2014. “The novelty in AFRIMA is the introduction of life-changing prizes for the Promising Artiste of the Year; Revelation Artiste of the Year, Producer of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Music/Entertainment Journalist of the Year. This is aimed at appreciating and rewarding their passion in promoting the rich cultural heritage of African music,” Strano says.
In order to inspire the public to participate in the process leading to selection, there will be motivation prizes for participants of SMS voting and event promo – ‘Do you know Africa’, in addition to lots of freebies for early purchasers of the event ticket.
According to Mike Dada, Chief Executive Officer, PRM Africa and executive producer of AFRIMA, the first awards show will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2014 and would be broadcast live on local and international media platforms including Canal France International CFI and partner stations in Africa.
However, African music summit slated for October 23 and 24 will precede the award ceremony, and targeted at discussing and finding solutions to the issues that have been militating against the growth of business of music in Africa.
In order to draw attention to the African music scene, the organisers are also taking the award on a road show tagged: “AFRIMA Bus Tour of Africa” to major cities in Africa. Already, arrangements have been concluded to host AFRIMA concert in New York, London and Paris under the theme: “On the Road to AFRIMA”. This will culminate in a four-city live concert that would be staged in Dakaar, Kampala, Duoula and Johannesburg to give the continent pre-event feelings of what to expect.
“Africa Music Awards will provide opportunities to showcase our strength as Africans for global competitiveness and project our musical and cultural values from our perception in an unambiguous manner that reflects our heritage and bright future. Without doubt, AFRIMA’s highpoint rests on the design to collaborate with the African Union (AU), to foster unity, peace and love among African nations. The time is now to clutch the prestigious ‘Djemba drum and microphone’, AFRIMA’s plaque for winners,” Dada declared.