AFRIMAs announce Pearl Thusi, Eddie Kadi as 2019 hosts

The hosts announcement was made by the AFRIMAs' international committee recently ahead of the awards ceremony at Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, on 23 November.

Pearl Thusi is no stranger to the AFRIMAs, as she hosted the fifth edition of the event in Accra, Ghana, last year. She is known for starring in The Scorpion King: Book of Souls and drama-thriller series Quantico. She also stars in the upcoming South Africa crime drama Queen Sono, which is expected to premiere on Netflix in January next year.

“I’m so excited, especially as a South African, to be an instrument of love and celebration of the African music industry," she said. “African entertainment and all her arts constituents are my biggest passion – learning and growing with them to leave a legacy that is enriching and powerful to the generations to follow. And the annual AFRIMA is the perfect platform for me for this ideal.”

Eddie Kadi emigrated from the DRC to the UK at the age of eight. He has sold out shows at the Hammersmith Apollo and the 02 Arena in London. In October 2019, he opened the Starboy Fest concert for Nigerian Afrobeats artist Wizkid at the 02 Arena.

“There is no better feeling than being on the continent celebrating our uniqueness," he said "I am always excited to join my brothers and sisters in highlighting the diverse culture and talents we have across every corner of the continent. I would like to thank AFRIMA for this great platform and look forward to a great night in Lagos”.

Meanwhile, music fans can still vote for their favourite artists via the AFRIMAs official website.  

The AFRIMAs, including peripheral events, will be broadcast live to 84 countries around the world and streamed on the AFRIMA website and other partner platforms.