Former Israeli diplomat and 3 other controversial AFRIMA winners

As with all awards, especially those depending on votes from the public, there were head-shaking instances. The usual questions—Why her? Why not him? How exactly did those guys win?—will follow in the coming weeks.

We have compiled four of these controversial winners for you. If you disagree with us or think we missed any, please use the comment box. We will consider running a second list.

4. Gilad winning two awards

The Israeli artist Gilad, who has worked as the deputy ambassador to Kenya, won two awards at the event: Best Rock and Best Inspirational Male. Though he gave the night’s funnies speech when he returned to thank his wife after forgetting her the first time round, it might occur to some as curious that he won an award for African artists. The situation recalls Mr Eazi’s disqualification from the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards because he is Nigerian. It should also call into question the precise definition of just who exactly gets to be called an African artist.

3. Emtee winning over Hugh Masekela

Rapper Emtee won the Best Southern African Male category. It was a category featuring AKA and Nasty C, two artists who arguably have been more visible than Emtee in the past year.

Nasty C, in particular, has been highly acclaimed over the past months. But it is more surprising that Emtee took an award over the great Hugh Masekela, whose ‘Shango’ from what he has called his last solo album, No Borders, was also nominated.

2. DJ Coublon winning Best Producer

DJ Coublon deserves respect for producing several hits over the past few years—and his work on Seyi Shay’s ‘Yolo Yolo’ is remarkable. The only complaint about his win is that it has come late. His best work with Iyanya and Kiss Daniel and Tekno came years ago. Any year from 2014 to 2016 and there will be fewer complaints. Winning the award this year feels a little like a consolation though. 

1. Wizkid winning Best Artist

Wizkid’s album Sounds From the Other Side failed to win the Best Album award and had only one song (‘Come Closer’ with Drake) in contention for AFRIMA’s song awards. Yet Wizkid was named Artist of the Year.

By naming Wizkid winner of the night’s biggest award, the AFRIMA jury seems to be saying that an artist’s presence is more important than his music. In the age of social media and an outsized dependence on singles, AFRIMA may be saying something about the potency of celebrity. But one expects more. After all, the ‘M’ in AFRIMA means “music”.