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14 Years of Music, Culture, and Innovation: #HMA2025 Nominees Announced

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Here is what everyone has been waiting for!  The HiPipo Music Awards have revealed the nominees for its 14th edition. This year’s awards celebrate twelve public-vote categories and one special recognition that honours the icons shaping Africa’s sound and story.

This year, Ava Peace and Joshua Baraka lead the nominations with eight and seven nods, respectively; a reflection of how Uganda’s new generation of stars continues to shape Africa’s sound and global music influence.

Ten artistes have been shortlisted for Artiste of the Year, including reigning winners Stream of Life Choir, who will compete against Dax Vibez, Nandor Love, Joshua Baraka, Ava Peace, King Saha, Sheebah Karungi, Elijah Kitaka, Cindy Sanyu, and Eddy Kenzo.

On the continental stage, Africa’s heavyweights take the spotlight for the Africa’s Number One category. Nigeria’s Burna Boy will go head-to-head with Joshua Baraka, Diamond Platnumz, Rema, Tems, Ayra Starr, Tyla, Wizkid, Shallipopi, Angélique Kidjo, and Egypt’s Mohamed Ramadan. This lineup defines the sound of Africa today.

Fourteen years on, the HiPipo Music Awards have grown into Africa’s most prime music celebration. It’s the rhythm of a fast-growing continent. This is the only place where creative sounds are bound with innovation. The awards have elevated creativity into a currency. Thousands have been empowered from village stages to global charts. The HiPipo Music Awards prove that African music roars with might. From Kampala to Lagos, Nairobi to Johannesburg, and across the diaspora, HMA continues to spotlight talent that’s pushing boundaries and changing lives through art and technology.

“As always, the stage is set for Africa’s biggest music night,” said Joseph Kimbowa, HiPipo’s Chief Content Officer. “We expect over 3,000 fans and guests from across the continent to experience this celebration of African excellence. Tickets are available on the MoMo Ticketing platform at https://momoticketing.com/event/hipipo-music-awards and at the HiPipo offices.”

The 2025 HiPipo Music Awards will take place at the Kampala Serena Hotel on November 14, 2025, in conjunction with the Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit. It is Africa’s biggest music night. The annual HMAs are that one unforgettable night. It is the place where music, innovation, and Africa’s most prominent stars come together on stage.

Public voting starts on October 10 and ends on November 14.  The winners will be announced before thousands of enthusiasts at Kampala Serena Hotel.

For full details and to cast your vote, visit https://hma.HiPipo.com

Hereunder is the complete list of #HMA2025 Nominees.

Africa Best Act/Song

  1. Police by Kizz Daniel ft Angelique Kidjo, Johnny Drill
  2. Ololufe Mi by Jux ft Diamond Platnumz
  3. Baby (Is it a crime) by Rema
  4. Ngishutheni by Goon Flavour, Master KG & Eemoh
  5. Faraway by Sabrina
  6. Wrong Places by Joshua Baraka
  7. Laho by Shallipopi
  8. Push 2 Start by Tyla
  9. Kai by Olamide and Wizkid
  10. My Darling by Chella

Africa Number One

  1. Burna Boy
  2. Joshua Baraka
  3. Diamond Platnumz
  4. Rema
  5. Tems
  6. Ayra Starr
  7. Tyla
  8. Wizkid
  9. Shallipopi
  10. Angelique Kidjo
  11. Mohamed Ramadan

East Africa Best Artist

  1. Bien
  2. Diamond Platinumz
  3. Joshua Baraka
  4. The Ben
  5. Azawi
  6. Toxic Lyrikaki
  7. Element Eleeh
  8. Mbosso
  9. Bruce Melody
  10. Jux      

East Africa Best Act/Song

  1. Backbencher by Toxic Lyrikaki
  2. GO by Karole Kasita
  3. Katam by Diamond Platnumz feat Bien
  4. True Love by The Ben
  5. Nairobi by Marioo feat Bien
  6. Umutima by Butera Knowless
  7. Pawa by Mbosso
  8. Wrong Places by Joshua Baraka
  9. YEBO [Nitawale] by Vestine & Dorcas
  10. Ololufe mi by Jux ft Diamond Platnumz

Best Regional Song

  1. Love Season by T Paul and Jamal Wasswa
  2. Katusabe by Quin Smile
  3. Yelele by Posha
  4. Can Anyeba by Timcence     
  5. Boyfriend by Latty Watts
  6. My Heart by Liama ft Profesa Maros
  7. Lonely by Rody Gavana        
  8. UULE by Kmas Wandyembe
  9. Glazed Donuts by Issa Ghad
  10. Kamuchelele by Patty Wangu              

Breakthrough Artist

  1. Ava Peace
  2. Tracy Melon
  3. Kapeke
  4. Omega 256
  5. Fyno UG
  6. JPC Again
  7. Temperature Touch
  8. Chumi
  9. Nandor Love

Most Viral Song

  1. Wanula Rmx by Temperature Touch X Ava Peace
  2. See You Tonight by Cindy ft Omega 256
  3. Tabbu by Dax Vibez & Ava Peace
  4. Nakyakala by King Saha
  5. Ekyange by Elijah Kitaka
  6. Che Che by Fyno 
  7. Kinawolovu by Nandor Love
  8. Wasomera Wa by Creamsite Junior School
  9. Gwokute Gwobba by Uncle Chumi
  10. Kapati by Alien Skin ft Sandra Naxx
  11. Kaba by Kapeke
  12. Wa wa wa in the Waaa by Dexta Rapper

Song of the Year

  1. See You Tonight by Omega 256 and Cindy Sanyu
  2. Children’s Voices Against Malaria by Doreen Nanfuka
  3. Tabbu by Dax Vibez & Ava Peace
  4. Somebody by Sheebah Karungi
  5. Wrong Places by Joshua Baraka
  6. London by Ava Peace
  7. Ekyange by Elijah Kitaka
  8. Kinawolovu by Nandor Love
  9. Onviiriddeyo by Stream of Life Choir
  10. Adam by An-known ft Amooti Omubalanguzi

Video of the Year

  1. Somebody by Sheebah Karungi        
  2. Go by Karole Kasita  
  3. Eden by Ava Peace ft JPS
  4. Ekyange by Elijah Kitaka
  5. Ogenda Kukilaba by Tracy Melon
  6. Oweisho by Ray G
  7. Nayise Naye by Cindy Sanyu
  8. Good Idea by Dax Vibez ft Elijah Kitaka
  9. Mbawe by Eddy Kenzo
  10. Nkuwulira by Kataleya & Kandle ft Dokta Brain

Best Male Artist

  1. Dax Vibez
  2. Elijah Kitaka
  3. Joshua Baraka
  4. King Saha
  5. Eddy Kenzo
  6. Ray G  
  7. T Paul

Best Female Artist

  1. Cindy Sanyu
  2. Lydia Jazmine
  3. Nandor Love
  4. Ava Peace
  5. Omega 256
  6. Sheebah Karungi
  7. Karole Kasita

Artiste of the Year

  1. Dax Vibez
  2. Nandor Love
  3. Joshua Baraka
  4. Ava Peace
  5. King Saha
  6. Sheebah Karungi
  7. Elijah Kitaka
  8. Cindy Sanyu
  9. Eddy Kenzo
  10. Stream of Life Choir

Special Award: A Song of Change (Winner to be announced)