Rwanda’s female youngsters Bwiza and Ariel Wayz who are among the nominees for the inaugural Trace Awards, are over the moon for being part of the event that is coming to life for the first time in Kigali on October 21. The two female music stars are among five Rwandan musicians nominated in Trace Awards alongside other big stars on the continent like Burna Boy, Rema and Asake among others. Speaking at an event this Friday, organised to celebrate Rwanda’s nominations in Trace Awards, Wayz said that there is nothing bigger in the music career than being recognized by a big platform like Trace. The vocalist said that she grew up looking up to musicians like Tiwa Savage and being part in the same awarding event with her is a dream come true. “No words can describe how I feel to be part of this good development in our music industry. We drew inspiration from some of the people that are also nominated and it feels like we are also getting there,” she said at a ceremony that was held Friday, August 25, at Pili Pili Bar. For Bwiza, Trace Awards coming to Rwanda is a sign that that the Rwandan music industry is moving forward and showing signs of even going global. “We live for moments like this when we are recognized on a global level just like our role models on the continent. This was a necessary addition to our industry,” Bwiza noted. The entire African continent will be represented by its best artistes at the TRACE Awards, showcasing the excellence and diversity of Afrocentric music in genres such Afrobeat, Dancehall, Hip Hop, Afro-pop, Mbalax, Amapiano, Zouk, Kizomba, Genge, Coupé Décalé, Bongo Flava and rap among many other genres. Competing in 22 award categories are platinum-selling artistes from more than thirty countries in Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean and Europe including Algeria, Angola, Brazil, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Comoros, DRC, France, French Guiana, Gabon, Ghana and many other countries. The winners will take home one or more Trace Awards trophies - unique pieces of art designed by acclaimed Congolese sculptor and designer, Dora Prevost. Launched in 2003, Trace is the first multimedia and digital platform in the world solely devoted to Afro-Urban music and cultures, as well as to the success of young people and artistes. Trace reaches more than 350 million fans in 180 countries.
