Black Sherif, Sarkodie,Moliy and other Ghanaian stars earn AFRIMMA 2026 nominations

Dorcas Agambila 14:52 - 15 July 2026

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Ghana has secured a strong presence at the 2026 African Music Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA), with several musicians, producers, dancers and other creatives earning nominations across some of the continent’s most competitive categories.

Black Sherif emerged as Ghana’s top representative at AFRIMMA 2026, earning multiple nominations including Best Male West Africa, Best Male Rap Act, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year for So It Goes, and Album of the Year for IRONBOY.
Several Ghanaian stars received recognition across major categories, including Moliy, Enam, Shatta Wale, Eno Barony, Freda Rhymz, DopeNation, MOG Beatz, Sarkodie, and Ghanaian dancers and DJs.
Ghana’s creative industry recorded nominations beyond music, with talents such as Babs Direction, Incredible Zigi, Dancegod Lloyd, Hooliboy, DJ Sly King and DJ Akua earning spots in various AFRIMMA 2026 categories.

The prestigious awards platform, which was established in 2014, continues to honour outstanding African talent by celebrating musicians, industry professionals and creatives who have contributed to the growth and global recognition of African music.

Leading Ghana’s charge this year is Black Sherif, who emerged as one of the country’s most nominated artistes. The rapper and singer received nominations in major categories, including Best Male West Africa, Best Male Rap Act, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year for So It Goes, and AFRIMMA Album of the Year for his acclaimed project IRONBOY.

His nominations place him among some of Africa’s biggest names competing for top honours at the continental awards ceremony.

Afrobeats and alternative music star Moliy also received multiple nominations, earning recognition in the Best Female West Africa category, Best Female Reggae/Dancehall category, and Song of the Year category for her international collaboration Shake It to the Max featuring Jamaican stars Shenseea and Skillibeng.

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Rising artiste Enam joins Moliy in the Best Female West Africa category, further highlighting Ghana’s growing influence in the female music space.

Ghana’s dancehall scene is also represented, with Shatta Wale receiving a nomination for Best Male Reggae/Dancehall. The award-winning musician continues to maintain his relevance on the African music stage alongside leading reggae and dancehall acts from across the world.

In rap categories, Eno Barony and Freda Rhymz earned nominations for Best Female Rap Act, while Black Sherif represents Ghana among contenders for Best Male Rap Act.

Beyond vocal performances, several Ghanaian creatives received recognition for their contributions behind the scenes and in other artistic fields. Music producer MOG Beatz was nominated for Music Producer of the Year, while dancers Incredible Zigi, Dancegod Lloyd and Hooliboy earned spots in the Best African Dancer category.

Ghanaian DJs also secured nominations, with DJ Sly King competing in the Best DJ Africa category and DJ Akua receiving recognition in the Best African DJ USA Based category. Video director Babs Direction was nominated for Best Video Director, further showcasing Ghana’s creative talent beyond music.

Veteran rapper Sarkodie was honoured with a nomination for the AFRIMMA Timeless Impact Award, a category celebrating artistes whose influence has shaped African music over the years. Meanwhile, music duo DopeNation will represent Ghana in the Best African Group category.

The nominations reflect Ghana’s continued impact on Africa’s entertainment landscape, with artistes from different generations competing alongside some of the continent’s biggest names.

Full list of AFRIMMA 2026 nominees

1. Best Male West Africa

Davido (Nigeria)

Black Sherif (Ghana)

BNXN (Nigeria)

Rema (Nigeria)

Asake (Nigeria)

Didi B (Ivory Coast)

Djodje (Cape Verde)

Burna Boy (Nigeria)

Wizkid (Nigeria)

Ruger (Nigeria)

Dino Santiago (Cape Verde)

2. Best Female West Africa

Enam (Ghana)

Tems (Nigeria)

Josey (Ivory Coast)

Viviane Chidid (Senegal)

Ayra Starr (Nigeria)

Moliy (Ghana)

Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)

Mariam Ba Lagare (Mali)

Teni (Nigeria)

Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)

3. Best Male East Africa

Lij Michael (Ethiopia)

Marioo (Tanzania)

Eddy Kenzo (Uganda)

Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

Juma Jux (Tanzania)

Bien (Kenya)

Mbosso (Tanzania)

Joshua Baraka (Uganda)

Single Dee (South Sudan)

Barnaba (Tanzania)

4. Best Female East Africa

Abigail Chams (Tanzania)

Veronica Adane (Ethiopia)

Bridget Blue (Kenya)

Zuchu (Tanzania)

Nikita Kering (Kenya)

Ariel Wayz (Rwanda)

Njerae (Kenya)

Winnie Nwagi (Uganda)

Salemia (Ethiopia)

5. Best Male Central Africa

Matias Damásio (Angola)

Dadju (DR Congo)

TayC (Cameroon)

Fally Ipupa (DR Congo)

Calema (São Tomé & Príncipe)

Gims (DR Congo)

Gerilson Israel (Angola)

Ko-C (Cameroon)

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6. Best Female Central Africa

Anna Joyce (Angola)

Rebo (DR Congo)

Krys M (Cameroon)

Blanche Bailly (Cameroon)

Cindy Le Coeur (DR Congo)

Espoir La Tigresse (Gabon)

Jessy B (Republic of the Congo)

Emma’a (Gabon)

7. Best Male Southern Africa

Scott Maphuma (South Africa)

Nutty O (Zimbabwe)

Yo Maps (Zambia)

DJ Maphorisa (South Africa)

Zeze Kingston (Malawi)

Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)

William Last KRM (Botswana)

Kabza De Small (South Africa)

8. Best Female Southern Africa

Mawhoo (South Africa)

Tamy Moyo (Zimbabwe)

Charma Gal (Botswana)

Babalwa M (South Africa)

Hanna (Zimbabwe)

Uncle Waffles (South Africa)

Bombshell Grenade (Zambia)

Makhadzi (South Africa)

Tyla (South Africa)

9. Best Male North Africa

Wegz (Egypt)

Stormy (Morocco)

Adviser (Mauritania)

Amr Diab (Egypt)

Marwan Moussa (Egypt)

ElGrandeToto (Morocco)

DJ Snake (Algeria)

Cheb Momo (Algeria)

10. Best Female North Africa

Marwa Loud (Morocco)

Chirine Lajmi (Tunisia)

Manal (Morocco)

Souhila Ben Lachhab (Algeria)

Sherine (Egypt)

Latifa (Tunisia)

Kenza Morsli (Algeria)

Zina Daoudia (Morocco)

11. Crossing Boundaries with Music Award

Burna Boy (Nigeria)

Aya Nakamura (Mali)

Rema (Nigeria)

Davido (Nigeria)

Toby Nwigwe (Nigeria)

Flavour (Nigeria)

Wizkid (Nigeria)

Fally Ipupa (DR Congo)

Odeal (Nigeria)

12. Best Newcomer

Lisandro Cuxi (Cape Verde)

Mavo (Nigeria)

Abigail Chams (Tanzania)

6uff (Nigeria)

Lava Lava (Tanzania)

Florito (Angola)

Toxic Lyrikali (Kenya)

Fola (Nigeria)

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13. Artist of the Year

Asake (Nigeria)

Fally Ipupa (DR Congo)

Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

Burna Boy (Nigeria)

Rema (Nigeria)

Tyla (South Africa)

Tems (Nigeria)

Davido (Nigeria)

Bien (Kenya)

14. Best Gospel

Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)

Prosper Germoh (Cameroon)

Christina Shusho (Tanzania)

Miguel Buila (Angola)

Bidemi Olaoba (Nigeria)

Deborah Lukalu (DR Congo)

Joel Lwaga (Tanzania)

Moïse Mbiye (DR Congo)

Sunmisola Agbebi Okeleye (Nigeria)

15. Best Female Rap Act

Rosa Ree (Tanzania)

Eno Barony (Ghana)

Bombshell Grenade (Zambia)

Freda Rhymz (Ghana)

Moozlie (South Africa)

Ssaru (Kenya)

Ami Yerewolo (Mali)

Candy Bleakz (Nigeria)

16. Best Male Rap Act

Odumodublvck (Nigeria)

Jeriq (Nigeria)

Ninho (DR Congo)

Black Sherif (Ghana)

A-Reece (South Africa)

6uff (Nigeria)

Blxckie (South Africa)

Yung Lunya (Tanzania)

Phyno (Nigeria)

Himra (Ivory Coast)

17. Best Collaboration

Bien & Alikiba — Finale

BNXN & Sarz — Back Outside

Davido & Omah Lay — With You

Diamond Platnumz ft. Juma Jux — Joy

Patoranking ft. Ruger — Shake That

Fally Ipupa ft. Wizkid — Jam

Jazzworx & Tukuthela — Bengicela

Flavour ft. Baaba Maal — Afroculture

Marvais Djo ft. Kano Choir — Pile

18. Song of the Year

Davido ft. Omah Lay — With You

BNXN & Sarz — Back Outside

Bien & Alikiba — Finale

Diamond Platnumz ft. Juma Jux — Joy

Moliy ft. Shenseea & Skillibeng — Shake It to the Max

Black Sherif — So It Goes

Ciza — Isaka (6AM)

Young Jonn — Elumelu

DopeNation — Kakalika

Marvais Djo ft. Kano Choir — Pile

DJ Kedjevara — Ça Fait Mal

19. Best Video Director

Hanscana (Tanzania)

Director Pink (Nigeria)

Elias Belkader (Algeria)

Mateo Da Silva (Cameroon)

TG Omori (Nigeria)

Babs Direction (Ghana)

Jake Zaral (Zimbabwe)

Dammy Twitch (Nigeria)

20. Best DJ Africa

DJ Spinall (Nigeria)

DJ Dollar (Senegal)

Uncle Waffles (South Africa)

DJ Obi (Nigeria)

DJ Tunez (Nigeria)

DJ Sly King (Ghana)

DJ Commissioner Wysei (Nigeria)

DJ Nelasta (Angola)

Major League DJs (South Africa)

DJ Kaywise (Nigeria)

DJ Dope Caesar (Nigeria)

DJ Moh (Kenya)

21. Best African DJ USA

DJ Kuncept (Nigeria)

DJ Akua (Ghana)

DJ Prince (Nigeria)

DJ Bode (Nigeria)

DJ Chelsea (Canada)

DJ Shinski (Kenya)

DJ Birame BB L’amour (Ivory Coast)

DJ Oreo (Nigeria)

Lex and Answer (Zimbabwe)

DJ Nani (Nigeria)

22. Music Producer of the Year

Masterkraft (Nigeria)

Andre Vibez (Nigeria)

207 (Uganda)

Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)

Magicsticks (Nigeria)

MOG Beatz (Ghana)

Xduppy (South Africa)

London (Nigeria)

23. Best African Dancer

Masaka Dance Kids (Uganda)

Incredible Zigi (Ghana)

Poco Lee (Nigeria)

Ghetto Kids (Uganda)

Angel Nyigu (Tanzania)

Hope Ramafalo (South Africa)

Wet Bad Gang (Angola)

Dancegod Lloyd (Ghana)

Hooliboy (Ghana)

24. Best Male Reggae/Dancehall

Valiant (Jamaica)

Mr. Killa (Grenada)

Patoranking (Nigeria)

Shatta Wale (Ghana)

Skillibeng (Jamaica)

Vybz Kartel (Jamaica)

Popcaan (Jamaica)

Kranium (Jamaica)

25. Best Female Reggae/Dancehall

Shenseea (Jamaica)

Jada Kingdom (Jamaica)

Moliy (Ghana)

Spice (Jamaica)

Koffee (Jamaica)

Lila Iké (Jamaica)

Shaneil Muir (Jamaica)

Vanessa Bling (Jamaica)

26. Best African Group

Disco Misr (Egypt)

Calema (São Tomé & Príncipe)

Show Dem Camp (Nigeria)

Toofan (Togo)

DopeNation (Ghana)

Team Paiya (Ivory Coast)

Mi Casa (South Africa)

Bracket (Nigeria)

27. AFRIMMA Album of the Year Black Sherif — IRONBOY

Omah Lay — Clarity of Mind

Asake — M$NEY

Tyla — A-Pop

Burna Boy — No Sign of Weakness

Lloyiso — Never Thought I Could

Davido — 5ive

Leigh-Anne — My Ego Told Me To

Himra — SORRY I’M BAD

28. Best African USA Based Artist

Kwate (Nigeria)

Bills (Nigeria)

Mannywellz (Nigeria)

Moses Sumney (Ghana)

Libianca (Cameroon)

Palmwine Tappers Band (Nigeria)

Detty K (Ivory Coast)

J Pako (DR Congo)

Emma Nyra (Nigeria)

29. AFRIMMA Timeless Impact Award

Timaya (Nigeria)

Amr Diab (Egypt)

Sarkodie (Ghana)

Nameless (Kenya)

Oskido (South Africa)

Kcee (Nigeria)

Slap Dee (Zambia)

Bebe Cool (Uganda)

Flavour (Nigeria)

Mafikizolo (South Africa)

30. African Athlete of the Year

Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)

Serhou Guirassy (Guinea)

Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)

Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)

Pascal Siakam (Cameroon)

Faith Kipyegon (Kenya)

Nnamdi Madubuike (Nigeria)

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31. Best Influencer

Peller (Nigeria)

Carter Efe (Nigeria)

Khaby Lame (Senegal)

Nasty Black (Nigeria)

Lasizwe Dambuza (South Africa)

Ilyas El Maliki (Morocco)

Crazy Kennar (Kenya)

Sabinus (Nigeria)

32. Best Actor/Actress

Timini Egbuson (Nigeria)

Uzor Arukwe (Nigeria)

Bimbo Ademoye (Nigeria)

Uche Montana (Nigeria)

Elizabeth Michael “Lulu” (Tanzania)

Zander Adika (Kenya)

Pallance Dladla (South Africa)

Masali Baduza (South Africa)

33. Best Comedian

Basketmouth (Nigeria)

Bovi (Nigeria)

Warri Pikin (Nigeria)

Eric Omondi (Kenya)

Trevor Noah (South Africa)

Godfrey (Nigeria)

Patrick “Salvado” Idringi (Uganda)

Ty Ngachira (Kenya)

34. Best Hypeman/MC Big Smart (Nigeria)

Shody (Nigeria)

Ogee The MC (Ghana)

MC Wild (Kenya)

Robot Boii (South Africa)

Balaa MC (Tanzania)

MC Mignon (DR Congo)

Do2dtun (Nigeria)

35. Community Impact Award

Ester Mathew Tonlagha Foundation (Nigeria)

Noella Foundation (Nigeria)

FAWE – Forum for African Women Educationalists (Kenya)

Educate! (Uganda)

IkamvaYouth (South Africa)

Street Child (Sierra Leone)

Tony Elumelu Foundation (Nigeria)

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