DAKAR, Jan 15 (Reuters) – Musical heavyweights gathered in Dakar, Senegal on Sunday for the eighth All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) that intention to rejoice and promote the continent’s greatest veteran and cutting-edge musicians.
Globally recognised stars together with Senegalese maestro Youssou Ndour, and Nigerian artists P-Sq. and Tiwa Savage are amongst these set to carry out throughout the primary awards ceremony on the 15,000-seat Dakar stadium.
Gabonese singer and AFRIMA nominee Espoir La Tigresse was among the many extravagantly dressed friends posing on the purple carpet earlier than the ceremony.
“I’m sporting a head masks from my tribe in Gabon representing a conventional dance from my village to point out that I’m happy with my tradition and wished to share it with the individuals right here in the present day,” she instructed Reuters, sporting a black robe and a headpiece adorned with lengthy straw-like fronds that hid most of her face.
The mass enchantment of up to date genres comparable to Afrobeats, the place artists sing and rap over digital backing tracks, has translated into document gross sales and sold-out concert events for some African artists throughout the continent and likewise in the USA and elements of Europe lately.
“That is such an thrilling second in African music, and we’re happy with the best way these artists have been in a position to cross over to a number of markets each on the house entrance and even globally,” mentioned AFRIMA President Mike Dada forward of the ceremony.
Firms are cashing in on rising international curiosity in African music. Final June, Common Music Group (UMG.AS) launched a label for unbiased African labels and artists, whereas music streaming platforms, together with Spotify (SPOT.N), have sought to develop their choices by African artists.
Reporting by Bate Felix and Ngouda Dione
Writing by Alessandra Prentice
Modifying by Christina Fincher
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