Zambian music superstar Yo Maps has etched his name into continental history after winning Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa at the AFRIMA 2025 Awards, triumphing over regional heavyweights including Tyler ICU, Nasty C, Jah Prayzah, Master KG collaborators, and more.
His chart-topping hit “Mr & Mrs” carried him to victory, giving Zambia a major moment on Africa’s biggest music platform.
This year’s AFRIMA awards recorded a massive 10,717 entries, the highest number since the ceremony was launched 12 years ago. A 13-member jury sifted through the submissions to shortlist 343 nominees across 40 categories, spanning Africa’s five regions and the diaspora.
African music giants Burna Boy, Davido, DJ Maphorisa, and El Grande Toto led the nomination list with five nods each. They were closely followed by Senegal’s Mia Guissé and Ghana’s Moliy, a clear indication of the rising influence of women in the African music space.
Rising Nigerian star Shallipopi picked up four nominations including Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for Laho. Other four-time nominees included Amr Diab, Diamond Platnumz, Tyla, and Uncle Waffles, showcasing the power of Afropop, Amapiano and Afro-house across the continent.
Artists with three nominations included Fally Ipupa, Ferre Gola, Himra, Didi B, Eboloko, Emma’a, Rema, Nasty C, Mawhoo, Jaylann and Juma Jux, while Ayra Starr secured two nominations, including the coveted Artiste of the Year category.
The diaspora category featured global stars such as DJ Snake, Niska, Tayc, Aya Nakamura, Darkoo and Deborah Lukalu.
AFRIMA jury member Delani Makhalima described the 2025 shortlist as a reflection of African music’s unstoppable global rise. “Twelve years in, we’re now here. This is global. This is AFRIMA, the biggest music entity on the face of the continent,” he said.
The AFRIMA 2025 awards will take place in Lagos from 25 to 30 November, featuring the AFRIMA Music Village, the Africa Music Business Summit, and the main awards ceremony, which will be broadcast in over 80 countries worldwide.
Yo Maps’ victory is not just a personal win, but a defining moment for Zambian music on the global stage.