Songstress Ariel Wayz, along with TV and online personality Claudine Muyango, are the only Rwandan nominees at the 2026 African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA). The ceremony and its inaugural music festival will take place on September 12, at the Annette Strauss Square, AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas, Texas. The New Times understands both flew to the US, where they’ll be competing in the Best Female East Africa and Best Influencer categories, respectively. ALSO READ: ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi fourth edition built around culture and heritage Muyango is competing in her category alongside Nigerian streamers Peller and Carter Efe, comedians Sabinus and Nasty Blaq, Kenyan comedian Crazy Kennar, Ilyas El Maliki from Morocco, Lasizwe Dambuza from South Africa, and Senegal's Khaby Lame. Muyango rose to fame after competing in the Miss Rwanda 2019 pageant, where she won the Miss Photogenic crown. She has since remained popular on social media, accumulating more than 900,000 followers across her platforms. ALSO READ: Sarah Phenom on carrying Rwanda with her into the global music scene Beyond her work as an influencer, Muyango is known for hosting nightlife events and working in media as an entertainment presenter. Ariel Wayz is competing alongside Ethiopians Veronica Adane and Salemia, Uganda's Winnie Nwagi, Kenya's Njerea, Nikita Kering and Bridget Blue, and Tanzania's Zuchu and Abigail Chams. Born Arielle Uwayezu, Ariel Wayz emerged in 2021 and has since become one of Rwanda's most successful female acts. In 2025, she signed a deal with Universal Music Group East Africa.
