The Nigerian entertainment industry is growing daily to match its American counterpart. For now, the creative industry in Nigeria is like 'America' to Africa. Many Africa-based artistes thrive to emulate their Nigerian counterparts and do their best to get noticed in Nigeria, which they believe will translate to an automatic success to their music careers.

Organisers of African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) recently released nominations into the 26 categories of the reward scheme, which has been promoting Texas, United States as the next stop for African stars in the month of July.

The nominations reveal strength of dominance by Nigeria, which has three nods from Flavour, Davido and Wizkid, who are contenders in the Artiste of the Year category. The trio, who will be battling one another in that category, will also have artistes such as Diamond (Tanzania), Sarkodie (Ghana), Mafikizolo (South Africa), Anselmo Ralph; a Dor do Cupido (Angola), and Jaguar (Kenya) to contend with.

The highly competitive list also has four Nigerian acts; Wizkid, Iyanya, Davido, and Flavour; two Ghanaian acts, Sarkodie and Shatta Wale, and an Ivorian act, DJ Arafat, competing in the Best Male West Africa category.

In the Best Female West Africa category, the battle will be among Nigeria's Tiwa Savage and Chidimma, Senegal's Viviane Chidid, Ivory Coast's Teeyah, Benin Republic's Sessima and Ghana's Efya.

The show, according to Anderson Obiagwu, Founder/CEO of Big A Entertainment, will also feature spectacular performances from top artistes from Africa, including a duet from hip hop act, 2Face Idibia and Grammy award-winning rapper, Faheem Najm, alias T-Pain.

The award show is scheduled to hold at the Eisemann Center, Richardson, Texas. During the ceremony, the two singing sensations will be thrilling the crowd individually and jointly. Their duet will be the remix of 2Face's song, Rainbow, which featured the American star.

Obiagwu said his company was determined to sustain the drive towards a world-class African awards show through what he described as its "crossing boundaries with music.”

"This event will not only celebrate the music of Africa, but celebrate the unique sounds, culture and artistes who tell the stories of our continent as a whole.

"AFRIMMA represents growth, celebration and pushing the culture and music of Africa continuously forward for the better. It will be an amazing night while celebrating the artistes who have influenced and impacted the culture as well as the pioneers who laid the framework for the music of today," he said.

Other categories of the award include Best Male East Africa, to be contested by Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Ben Pol (Tanzania), Bebe Cool (Uganda), Wyre (Kenya), Navio (Uganda), and Jackie Gosee (Ethiopia); Best Male Central Africa with Fally Ipupa (DR Congo), Stanley Enow (Cameroon), Ferre Gola (Congo), Privato "Lill'P" Niyintunze (Burundi), Anselmo Ralph (Angola) and Sine (Cameroon).

It will be recalled that international airline carrier, Arik Air, has signed on as the sponsor of the AFRIMMA.

Also, Laura Maczka, Mayor of Richardson, has issued an official proclamation from the city endorsing its support of AFRIMMA.

Obiagwu added that "International Television Powerhouse, Sound City, has signed on as a media partner and will broadcast the award show throughout Africa. The network has been dubbed as the 'Pan- African Urban Music Channel' and will provide the exclusive broadcast of AFRIMMA."

According to him, the event, which will be hosted by comedian Basket Mouth and actress Juliet Ibrahim, is expected to attract guests from the United States as well as over 17 African countries.

Other artistes who will perform at the event include Iyanya, Stanley Enow, Flavour, Davido, Diamond Platinumz, Fally Ipupa, Wyre and Miriam Chemmoss, among others.

The major question on the lips of many music buffs is 'who will win big at the event?' For now, all fingers are crossed, while all wait to get answers on July 26, when the event holds.

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