Nigerian stars Rema and Davido were the top winners at the 2023 Trace Awards held in Kigali, on Saturday, October 21, but hosts, Rwanda, also won big for their superb hosting of the new awards franchise created by Trace, a global TV and multimedia platform.
Rwanda hosted the inaugural awarding ceremony and festival that celebrated the creativity, talent, and influence of African and Afro-influenced musicians.
ALSO READ: Trace Awards: Rema, Davido lead winners
After a colorful awarding event of awarding 22 winning artists in different categories, out of a pool of more than 150 nominees from more than 30 countries, the winners were hosted by President Paul Kagame at Village Urugwiro, on October 22.
The delegation included Trace Awards organizers, and foreign and local artists in the music industry. During the event, the organizers of the Trace Awards gave the Head of State an award as an outstanding leader who supports the youth and creative industry.
ALSO READ: Trace Awards: Kagame meets winners, lauds creative industry
Nigerian hit maker, Rema who scored in the Global African Artist, and Song of the Year category, said that it was his first time meeting President Kagame, noting that he is not just a President but a father who also cares about community and art.
Feel so comfortable, so welcome
"I feel so comfortable, so welcome...I feel like coming to Rwanda. It gives me the vibe of a place where I can rest and feel at home without having to travel. We get a serene energy, that vibe and I feel like [there] is going to be even a bigger thing when we start creating altogether here," he added.
Emerance Bwiza, a Rwandan music artist who also performed at the Trace Awards ceremony told Kagame that the music industry is doing its best and pledged that she is going to make the country proud.
"Meeting my President Paul Kagame was a dream come true, and I'm super excited about it. He's not only my role model but an inspiration to all young Rwandans and Africans," she noted on her X account.
Nomcebo Zikode, a South African singer and songwriter, sang her famous Jerusalema song along with other artists and proceeded to sing birthday wishes to the Head of State.
ALSO READ: From outfits to perfomances, fun facts at Trace Awards
Kagame told the artistes to feel at home in Rwanda, while lauding the global music powerhouse and Afro-music tastemaker, Trace, for being a channel of expression and the best gift for any people, and any part of society.
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Giving people a home
"The arts, creativity, and the whole organization around it, is giving people a home, from different parts of the world. A home through which they express themselves."
By attracting celebrities from all corners of the world including Davido, Diamond Platnmuz, the platform served as an opportunity for artists, both local and international, to showcase their talents, with an impact that cuts across sectors.
The inaugural Trace Awards included performances by approximately 50 Africa and Afro-inspired artists from around the world, including Davido, Yemi Alade, Mr Eazi, Burna Boy and Diamond Platnumz.
"Tonight has been a triumphant demonstration of the power and creativity of African and African-origin artists," Olivier Laouchez, the chairman and co-founder of Trace, said in a statement.
"All the nominees and performers at the Trace Awards underlined exactly why African contemporary music has become a global phenomenon."
