…..As 13-man jury panel is expected to arrive Lagos, Nigeria on Saturday, August 8, 2015.
The entries were received on the AFRIMA website and social media platforms from African artistes, record companies, and music/entertainment journalists from across the continent and the Diaspora whose works were produced between May 31, 2014 and July 31, 2015 in accordance with the stipulated guidelines by the academy of the jury of AFRIMA.
But more exciting are the entries from artistes of African origin living abroad and non-African countries which shows the global recognition of AFRIMA, which is in partnership with the African Union Commission, ONE Campaign and Africa 2.0.
The entries received for the 2015 edition is progressively higher than the 2014 edition of 2,025 entries with 79.2%. Out of the entries received this year, 73 were from music and entertainment journalists across Africa against the total of 38 entries (52.1%) from the same category in 2014. Others entries were from artistes, songwriters, video directors, music producers and record companies.
According to the Chairman, International media committee of AFRIMA, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, “The International Committee is excited about the quality of entries received this year as many were from accomplished artistes in African music. The impressive 2015 edition entries received is a reflection of growth and acceptability of the vision and ideals of AFRIMA’s commitment to communicate Africa to the rest of the world via art, music, tourism and entertainment.”
As part of the adjudication process which will last for 7days, the submitted works will be further screened by a 13-person jury panel which represents the 5 regions of Africa and the diaspora from the following countries: Kenya, Senegal, Republic du Benin, Uganda, Morocco, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, UK and USA as well as a representative from the African Union.
Following the adjudication process, a nomination list will be released to the public on a later date in August 2015 to vote for a nominee in each of the 33 categories of the award.
Speaking on the 2015 entries received, Co-Producer and Regional Director, East Africa, AFRIMA, Mike Strano restated “In line with our integrity, transparency and AFRIMA core values of FACE IT (Fairness, Authenticity, Creativity, Excellence, Integrity and Transparency), we will always ensure that the adjudication process, pre-selection process, the auditing phase, the nomination process, the voting process and the eventual winning stage are all transparent.”
We are firm, transparent, and thorough about the whole process. This is All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA and it is our pledge. We will always guide it jealously” He affirmed.
The award ceremony, which promises to be a premium and star-studded event, will take place on November 15, 2015 in Nigeria. It will be broadcast in 84 countries and on 109 television stations across the world.
The AFRIMA Music Village, a 2-day event of music festivities featuring national pavilions, cultural/entertainment exhibitions and music concerts between November 13 and 14, will precede the award ceremony.
There will also be an Africa Music Summit on November 13, themed “Reviving the Business of Music in Africa”. The one-day conference will be a platform for the music industry stakeholders to engage and deliberate on how the industry can be nurtured and be a major contributor to national and continental economies.