Kenyan singer-songwriter Bien-Aimé Baraza has won the prestigious Trace Award for Best Artist in Eastern Africa.
The award ceremony took place at the Mora Zanzibar Resort, celebrating exceptional achievements in African and Afro-inspired music across 24 categories.
Bien, the only Kenyan nominee, triumphed over major artists from Tanzania, including Diamond Platnumz, Harmonize, Marioo, Zuchu, and Nandy, as well as Ethiopia’s Rophnan and Uganda’s Joshua Baraka.
In addition to receiving the award, Bien delivered a memorable performance of his hit song “Nairobi” alongside Tanzanian artist Marioo.
The song, which debuted in January, continues to dominate YouTube Kenya’s top video charts.
Bien has long championed the idea of creating music that uplifts the entire region, rather than just focusing on his own success.
“If Bien is amazing, people will search for Kenyan music and discover other artists,” he said in a past interview.
As the lead singer of Sauti Soul, Bien, who primarily sings in Swahili, also emphasized the importance of using the language to reach a wider audience.
“Swahili is spoken by 150 million people, and those are customers and ambassadors of our culture. We must create music for that community, no matter where they are in the world, and use them to propel us onto the global stage.”
Full List of Winners:
Song of the Year
Titom & Yuppe – ‘Tshwala Bam’ (South Africa)
Album of the Year
Rema – Heis (Nigeria)
Best Collaboration
Tamsir & Team Paiya – ‘Coup du Marteau’ (Ivory Coast)
Best Music Video
Meji Alabi – Rema ‘DND’ (Nigeria)
Best Dancer
Makhadzi (South Africa)
Best DJ
DJ Moh Green – ‘Kelele’ (Algeria)
Best Hip Hop Artist (sponsored by Hot 97)
Didi B (Ivory Coast)
Pan-African Awards
Best Global African Artist
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Best Male Artist
Rema (Nigeria)
Best Female Artist
Tyla (South Africa)
Best Live Performance
Fally Ipupa (DRC)
Best Producer
P.Priime – ‘MMS’ (Nigeria)
Best Gospel Artist
Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)
Regional Awards
Best Artist Eastern Africa
Bien (Kenya)
Best Artist Western Africa (Anglophone)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Best Artist Southern Africa
Tyler ICU (South Africa)
Best Artist Francophone Africa
Josey (Ivory Coast)
Best Artist Lusophone Africa
Chelsea Dinorath (Angola)
Best Artist Tanzania
Nandy (Tanzania)
International and Diaspora Awards Nominees
Best Artist Europe
Joe Dwet File (France/Haiti)
Best Artist Brazil
Duquesa (Brazil)
Best Artist Caribbean
Kenny Haiti (Haiti)
Best Artist Indian Ocean
Barth (Reunion)
Lifetime Achievement Award
D’Banj
