Rabat – Morocco will once again have a strong presence at the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), as singers Jaylann, Manal, Rym, and Faouzia join a slate of Moroccan nominees for the ninth edition of the pan-African ceremony, now scheduled for January 11, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.
Initially planned for November, the awards night was pushed back to early next year, but Moroccan artists have already made their mark across multiple categories.
On the women’s side, Jaylann, the voice behind the breakout hit “Ha Wlidi,” leads the pack with three nominations: Best Female Artist in North Africa, Best African Dance/Choreography for the “Ha Wlidi” music video, and Best African Contemporary Music. Since emerging on the Moroccan scene, Jaylann has built a reputation as an adventurous artist who blends traditional rhythms with urban sounds.
RnB star Manal, who recently staged a major comeback with her single “Carta Rouge,” is nominated in the RnB & Soul category, as well as for Best Female Artist in North Africa. Her presence at AFRIMA shows her role as one of the leading contemporary voices in Moroccan pop and RnB.
Rising artist Rym also represents the new generation of Moroccan performers determined to carry the country’s culture beyond its borders. She is nominated for Revelation of the Year thanks to her socially engaged track “Taj Li Watani,” which has resonated with listeners for both its message and its modern sound.
On the international front, Moroccan-Canadian singer Faouzia competes for Best African Artist in the Diaspora. Known for high-profile collaborations such as “Minefields” with John Legend, she recently released her single “Don’t Ever Leave Me,” taken from her album “Film Noir.”
Male artists also dominate key categories
Morocco’s male artists are equally visible in this year’s line-up. Rap star ElGrande Toto stands out with five nominations tied to his album “SALGOAT” and hit single “Diplomatico” in the categories Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best African Hip-Hop Artist, and Best Male Artist in North Africa. Rapper Lbenj is also in the running for Best Male Artist in North Africa and Best Pop Artist.
Meanwhile, Dizzy DROS has earned a nomination for Best African Music Video for “WLDRB – STK STK,” created in collaboration with Kekra and Norfafrica. The duo Benny Adam and Khadija El Warzazia will compete for Best Collaboration with their viral hit “Mok Ya Mok,” which has captured audiences far beyond Morocco.
Public voting for the 2025 AFRIMA awards is open on the official website, afrima.org, allowing fans across the continent and the diaspora to support their favorite artists ahead of the Lagos ceremony.
