Africa Music Awards beckons Malawian musicians

Malawian musicians stand a chance of making a mark on the continental stage via the Africa Music Awards (Afrima), which have called for entries for this year’s event.

Afrima is a combined effort to recognise, award, promote and preserve Africa’s rich music culture.

In partnership with the African Union, it is expected to be the biggest music event in Africa.

Entries for this year’s Afrima opened in March and close on July 5.

Eligible contestants are music professionals of African origin living either on the continent or abroad. The award is open to artists, songwriters, video directors, music producers and music journalists.

Online submissions can be made by filling entry forms at www.afrima.org.

According to information on Afrima’s website, debates, ideas, strategies have taken place over the last three years to identify a gap in the market place and most importantly to close that gap.

“Also to create a brand that will truly live up to the expectations of its internal and external stakeholders. Deliberations and conferencing included regional directors and strategists from the Sadc, Eastern Africa, Central Africa, North and West Africa. Afrima has five regional directors and 54 country directors as part of the decision making organs,” Afrima’s profile reads in part.

Afrima is designed to promote the distinct rich African music worldwide, engaging millions of fans by propelling African music to glorious pinnacles beyond the borders of Africa.

Is adds: “In Africa, music is always seen as inseparable from human existence. It carries long traditions and values that are associated with the people and represents part of their identities. Music in African societies, as it functions in many different societies in the world, has enormous value. Music, either making it or listening to it, is linked to life experiences and peoples’ culture.

“As such, sweet, feel good experiences need to be created for the millions of followers of African music all over the world for them to understand and appreciate Africa’s culture. Hence, the birth of Afrima to inspire generations and celebrate African music.”

Afrima is based in Nigeria and won the rights above 13 other countries to host the Afrima for three consecutive years from 2014 to 2016.