Mani Martin nominated for Prix Découvertes Awards

Mani Martin has made it to the shortlist of this year’s prestigious Prix de Couverts competition in France. The multi-talented Afro beat singer made his cut in a highly-competitive judges’ cards that will see only 12 of the thousands of global artistes compete in one of Paris’ most coveted world music Awards.Winning this competition would be another milestone in his career. The winner will walk away with Euro10, 000 (about Rwf9.5m) and a fully paid tour of Africa and a chance to perform at a concert in Paris.The RFI Discovery Award 2013, (RFI Prix Découvertes 2013) is organised by Radio France Internationale (RFI) to Award the best emerging artistes in Africa. Mani Martin, born Martin Maniraruta is not a stranger to the international stage and has over four albums to his name. His music is inspired by the horrific history of his country and conveys a message of hope and unity among Rwandans.His growing talent has also given him the chance to share stage with some of Africa’s most famous and talented musicians, such as Ismael Lo, Lokua Kanza and Femi Kuti, among others. The annual Prix Découvertes New Artiste Award enjoys worldwide reputation.The other contestants:Lindsey Abudei , NigeriaHe is a singer and songwriter with a law degree in hand. His new album reveals the vocal potential of this young performer.Danielle Eog, CameroonDanielle Eog is a young artiste. His album Peace, Love and Light, is a musical journey through his multi-faceted world. Project Leergui, SenegalThis is a group of three talented young artistes from the region of Thiess, Senegal. The group is part of the movement of the Senegalese Folk trend. The group’s new album “Democracy” was released in early 2013 in Senegal, and has a dozen titles.Isabel Novella, MozambiqueBorn in Maputo, Mozambique, in a family of musicians, the Isabel Novella style is steeped in jazz and local rhythms. She has since 2005 played in many festivals in Africa and Europe. Mariam Kone, MaliMariam Koné is a singer, writer, composer and songwriter from Kati, a town 15 km from Bamako, Mali. His album Dakan is a clever mix of musical melodies and Mandingo Soninko-Fulani. Nelida Karr, Equatorial GuineaMulti-instrumentalist, Nelida Karr (Nelida Ohia Car) composes, writes and performs his own songs. She is daughter of a great singer, and a native of Equatorial Guinea.Nteko, CongoNteko is from Brazzaville, Congo. He sings mostly in Kilongo, Lingala and French. Sessimé, BeninSongwriter, performer and singer by profession, she is seen in his country Benin as one of the new stars of Afropop and was named Newcomer of the Year 2011. She has received numerous awards.Smarty, Burkina FasoFor over ten years, this young Burkinabe rapper began to make a name in the Hip-hop world by participating in many projects in Ouagadougou. Smarty launched a solo career with the release of his first album Afrikan Kouleurs. Claude Teta, MadagascarTeta has become one of the great masters of Tsapiky (traditional music of southwestern Madagascar). Music is a gift he inherited from his father. Yvonne Mwale, ZambiaBacked by a powerful voice which is mixed with African rhythms, jazz, blues, reggae, Mwale has emerged as one of the promising young artistes of the Zambian scene. To vote for your favourite artiste visit: www.prixdecouvertes.com/en/vote, www.prixdecouvertes.com/fr/vote.

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Mani Martin nominated for Prix Découvertes Awards