Guinean singer Queen Rima has emerged winner of the 2025 RFI Découvertes Prize, beating other nine finalists including Rwandan songstress Boukuru. The jury, chaired this year by Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo and Guinean RnB artiste Soul Bang among others, deliberated on Monday, February 17, deciding the dancehall artiste who was participating for the third time in the final of the RFI Découvertes Prize. ALSO READ: VIDEO: Hot Seat with Christiane Boukuru The name of the winner of the 2025 edition of the Prix Découvertes RFI was revealed during the morning show of Radio France Internationale (RFI) which is the main organiser of the music competition. Angélique Kidjo praised the talent and quality of the music showcased by the 10 finalists, which, she said, did not facilitate the work of the jury. “This reassures me that the next generation is there,” the Beninese star said. ALSO READ: Meet Rwanda’s rising music producers shaping 2025’s sound Marie Tolno, also known as Queen Rima, aged 27, was honoured with the prestigious trophy after failing twice consecutively in 2022 and 2023, bagging prizes which include a Euro 10,000 prize (approximately Rwf14.6 million), an African music tour, and a headline concert in Paris, France. The young artiste was competing along other talented nominees including Sahad, Jenny Paria, Straiker, Dina M, Rwanda’s Boukuru among others. The finalists had successfully navigated three rigorous selection phases and were judged through a public vote and jury deliberation. Founded in 1981, the Prix Découvertes RFI awards continue to spotlight emerging musical talents from French-speaking African nations. Over the years, it has featured notable Rwandan artists, including Mani Martin, Mike Kayihura, and Yvan Buravan, who took home the award in 2018.
