News: Malawi to the World: Zeze Kingston, Teddy Makadi, Temwah and Sean Morgan land AFRIMA 2025 nominations
The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) is officially back, opening its full list of nominees for 2025, and Malawi's music scene is prominently featured. Artists Zeze Kingston, Teddy Makadi, Temwah, and Sean Morgan have received nominations earning the chance to compete against the continent's biggest stars. This recognition marks a significant milestone for Malawi showcasing the nation's growing influence on the global stage of African music and culture.
The International Committee of AFRIMA, in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC), released the list of nominees on Wednesday. Voting will start on 10 September 2025 and run until 30 November 2025, just one day before the main ceremony. This year's event will occur in Lagos, Nigeria from 25 to 30 November. It is already historic, with a record-breaking 10,717 entries, the highest number AFRIMA has received in its 12-year history. After a detailed 10-day review, a 13-member international jury selected 343 nominees across 40 categories, highlighting talents from Africa’s five regions and the diaspora.
Malawi's nominations cover various regions and genres:
- Zeze Kingston - Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa
- Teddy Makadi - Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa
- Temwah - Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa
- Sean Morgan - Best African Act in Reggae, Ragga & Dancehall
These artists compete alongside icons like Burna Boy, Davido, Diamond Platnumz, Tyla, Wizkid, Fally Ipupa, Zuchu, Nasty C, and many others. This demonstrates how far Malawian music has progressed and its capability to compete internationally. Malawi's connection with AFRIMA began in 2018 when Hazel Mak became the first Malawian artist to win an AFRIMA award, claiming the title of Best Female Artist in Southern Africa. Her victory was pivotal, showing that Malawi could shine on a continental stage and paving the way for the successes we see today.
Seven years later, with Zeze Kingston, Teddy Makadi, Temwah, and Sean Morgan now in the limelight, it is clear that Hazel Mak's achievement was not an isolated case but the beginning of a legacy. This new generation of nominees is carrying forward the torch she lit, establishing Malawi as a rising force in African music.
Besides the awards, AFRIMA 2025 will also host the AFRIMA Music Village, the Africa Music Business Summit, and a grand ceremony that will be broadcast to over 80 countries worldwide. This global platform will allow Malawian talent to shine alongside Africa's best. With voting about to begin, attention now turns to fans at home and abroad. Their support could turn these nominations into wins and further advance Malawi's story on Africa's largest music stage.
Written by Mdub2six5. Straight from Malawi to the world.