As the countdown to the 31st South African Music Awards (SAMA 31) ramps up, anticipation is mounting for the coveted Rest of Africa Award, which honours outstanding non-South African artists whose work has resonated across the continent.
This year’s nominees represent Afropop’s finest voices: Ayra Starr (The Year I Turned 21), Bensoul (The Party & After Party), Wizkid (Morayo), Tems (Born in the Wild), and Fireboy DML (Adedamola) (Music In Africa, News Ghana).
SAMA’s Rest of Africa Award serves as a bridge, celebrating music that transcends borders and speaks to a shared African soundscape. The inclusion of such luminaries underscores the Awards’ growing embrace of Africa’s creative unity.
Last year, the 2024 winner was Edgar Muzah (Zimbabwe), honoured for his album Son of a Tribe (Royalty Edition) a richly textured work blending African rhythms with global influences. Muzah’s triumph in this category reaffirmed the SAMAs’ role in spotlighting Pan African talent beyond South Africa’s borders.
SAMA Spokesperson Unati Gwija remarked on the 2024 outcome: “The win by Edgar was more than an award-it was validation that the Rest of Africa Award truly reflects the vibrancy and innovation of music from across the continent. The interest in this category is growing, and the domination by Nigerian musicians this year might just be a humdinger of things to come.”
As SAMA 31 heads toward its ceremony, television and global streaming audiences can look forward to the celebration of African artistry in full colour. The Rest of Africa holds both prestige and power-amplifying cross-border creativity and reinforcing South Africa’s place at the heart of continental music dialogue.
“On behalf of RiSA and the SAMA office, we extend heartfelt thanks to the judges, whose tireless listening and deliberation honour the integrity of this process. Their work ensures that the Rest of Africa category is celebrated with the respect it deserves,” concluded Gwija.
ARTIST BIO :
Ayra Starr
Ayra Starr, the Nigerian Afropop sensation, redefines coming-of-age with her acclaimed sophomore album, The Year I Turned 21. With sharp songwriting, powerhouse vocals, and global collaborations, she cements her place as one of Africa’s most exciting young stars.
Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, known professionally as Ayra Starr, has quickly risen to the forefront of Afropop. The Nigerian Afropop sensation redefines coming-of-age with her acclaimed sophomore album, The Year I Turned 21 solidifies her artistry with polished production, relatable songwriting, intentional collaborations, and striking vocal versatility, proving her ability to exceed the weight of expectation after a successful debut.
Bensoul
Benson Mutua Muia, popularly known as Bensoul, is a celebrated Kenyan Afropop artist who broke out with hits like Lucy. Five years later, he continues to showcase his signature sound with his latest album The Party & After Party, reflecting his evolution as a versatile songwriter and performer. Bensoul is a genre-blending hitmaker whose soulful Afropop sound has captivated fans since his breakout single Lucy. His latest project, The Party & After Party, showcases his evolution as one of East Africa’s most dynamic performers.
Wizkid
Ayodeji Balogun, globally recognized as Wizkid, remains a powerhouse in Afrobeats with his sixth studio album Morayo, released in November 2024 under RCA Records and Starboy Entertainment. The project reinforces his status as one of Africa’s most influential music exports, blending global appeal with his Nigerian roots. The Afrobeats icon, continues his global reign with Morayo, his sixth studio album. Known for his effortless fusion of Nigerian roots and worldwide appeal, he remains one of the continent’s most influential and celebrated music exports.
Tems
Temilade Openiyi, better known as Tems, continues her meteoric rise with her debut studio album Born in the Wild. Known for her soulful voice and genre-bending sound, the project marks a defining step in her career, establishing her as one of the most compelling new voices in global music. Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Tems steps boldly into the spotlight with her debut album Born in the Wild. With her soulful voice and genre-defying artistry, she is shaping the future of African music on the global stage. Tems has bagged two Grammy Awards, making her the first Nigerian artist with multiple Grammys. She won the Best African Music Performance award in 2025 for her song “Love Me JeJe” and the Best Melodic Rap Performance award in 2023 for her feature on “Wait for U” by Future and Drake.
Fireboy DML
Adedamola Adefolahan, widely known as Fireboy DML, showcases artistic depth in his self titled fourth studio album, Adedamola, released in August 2024 through YBNL Nation and Empire. Featuring collaborations with Seun Kuti, Jon Batiste, Lagbaja, Lojay, and Spinall, the album reflects his versatility and innovation within Afropop and beyond. Fireboy DML delivers bold innovation with his fourth studio album, Adedamola. Featuring a mix of African legends and global stars, the project affirms his reputation as a trailblazer pushing Afropop into new sonic territories.