One of Uganda’s most prestigious music awards, HiPipo has declared voting open for its ninth edition scheduled to hold at Kampala Serena Hotel on Monday, March 16, 2020.
Voting for the pan-African awards can be done via the official HiPipo website between Monday, 6 January, and would remain on until Sunday, 15 March, providing the public an ample time to vote for their favourite acts. Public voting constitutes 70% of all votes cast, while 30% will come from members of the media as well as former winners and nominees.
This year, the organisers of the awards added four new categories including Best Global Act, Best Campaign Song of the Decade, National Medal of Honor for Arts and Sports as well as the Decade Afrotunes Lyricist category.
Check out the full list of nominees below.
Africa Number 1
- ‘Sunday’ – Slick Stuart, DJ Roja & Allan Toniks
- ‘Sabisubira’ – Kabako
- ‘Tweyanze’ – Irene Namatovu
- ‘Gutujja’ – B2C & Rema
- ‘Love Yo’ – Feffe Bussi
- ‘Signal’ – Eddy Kenzo
Africa Song of the Year
- ‘Inama’ – Diamond Platnumz ft. Fally Ipupa
- ‘Mafia’ – Mohamed Ramadan
- ‘Baby’ – Joeboy
- ‘Parte After Parte’ – BigTril
- ‘SMA’ – Nasty C ft. Rowlene
- ‘Liberté’ – Soolking ft. Ouled El Bahdja
- ‘Blow My Mind’ – Davido & Chris Brown
- ‘Killin Dem’ – Burna Boy x Zlatan
- ‘Joro’ – WizKid
Best Song from Francophone Africa
- ‘C’est Pas Les Gbés Gbés Gbés’ – Shan’l
- ‘Miami Vice’ – Maître Gims
- ‘Yope’ – Innoss’B
- ‘#Katchua’ – Ya Levis
- ‘Liberté’ – Soolking ft. Ouled El Bahdja
- ‘Maria Pm’ – Fally Ipupa
- ‘OU LÉ’ – Toofan ft. Jacob Desvarieux & Kassav
- ‘Anita’ – Salatiel
Best Song from Western Africa
- ‘Killin Dem’ – Zlatan x Burna Boy
- ’49-99′ – Tiwa Savage
- ‘Ololo’ – Stonebwoy ft. Teni
- ‘Lucky’ – Sarkodie ft. Rudeboy
- ‘Baby’ – Joeboy
- ‘Audio Money’ – Rudeboy
- ‘Risky’ – Davido ft. Popcaan
- ‘Joro’ – WizKid
Best Song from Southern Africa
- ‘Move For Me’ – Cassper Nyovest feat Boskasie
- ‘Beautiful’ – Roberto
- ‘Chuwana’ – King Monada
- ‘Sadza NeMuriwo’ – Jah Prayzah
- ‘Main Ou’s’ – AKA ft. YoungstaCPT
- ‘SMA’ – Nasty C ft. Rowlene
- ‘John Cena’ – Sho Madjozi
Best Song from Northern/Arabic Africa
- ‘Tamer Hosny’ – Naseny Leh
- ‘Khatwa’ – Mostafa Hagag
- ‘Ya Betfaker Ya Bet7es’ – Sherine
- ‘Mafia’ – Mohamed Ramadan
- ‘Ma Gazelle’ – Salma Rachid ft. Mok Saib
Africa Fans Favorite Fresh Talent
- Simmy (South Africa)
- Innoss’B (DRC)
- Rosa Ree (Tanzania)
- Nviiri The Storyteller (Kenya)
- Vinka (Uganda)
- Sho Madjozi (South Africa)
- Teni (Nigeria)
- Mbosso (Tanzania)
- Joeboy (Nigeria)
- Natacha (Burundi)
Kenya Best Act
- Bensoul
- Otile Brown
- Nadia Mukami
- Redsan
- Masauti
- Sauti Sol
- Willy Paul
- Zikki
- Miracle Baby
- Chris Kaiga
Tanzania Best Act
- Rayvanny
- Nandy
- Diamond Platnumz
- Harmonize
- Mbosso
- Vanessa Mdee
Rwanda Best Act
- Bruce Melodie
- Andy Bumuntu
- Amalon
- The Ben
- Nari High
- Butera Knowless
- Deejay Pius
- King James
- Meddy
Burundi Best Act
- Bantubwoy
- Esther Nish
- Double Jay
- Big Fizzo
- Dr Claude
- Kirikou Akili
- Natacha
- Sat-B
East Africa Super Hit
- ‘Vazi’ – The Ben
- ‘Extravaganza’ – Sauti Sol ft. Bensoul, Nviiri, Crystal Asige & Kaskazini
- ‘Wamlambez’ – Sailors
- ‘Parte After Parte’ – Big Tril
- ‘Uno’ – Harmonize
- ‘The One’ – Diamond Platnumz
- ‘Tetema’ – Rayvanny Ft Diamond Platnumz
- ‘Mmmh’ – Willy Paul Ft Rayvanny
- ‘Homba Homboka’ – Deejay Pius
- ‘That’s For Me’ – Vanessa Mdee ft. Distruction Boyz, DJ Tira, Prince Bulo
Artist of The Year
- Fik Fameica
- Sheebah
- John Blaq
- Spice Diana
- David Lutalo
- Eddy Kenzo
Best Female Artist
- Spice Diana
- Vinka
- Winnie Nwagi
- Sheebah
Best Male Artist
- John Blaq
- Eddy Kenzo
- David Lutalo
- Fik Fameica
Best Breakthrough Artist
- Recho Rey
- VIP Jemo
- Grenade Official
- John Blaq
- Fresh Kid
Best A Cappella Group
- Spring Gents
- Jehovah Shalom
- The Harmonics
Must Watch Talent
- Ring Rapper
- Zulanda
- Karole Kasita
- Shena Skies
- Jowy Landa
- Prince Omar
- Lydia Bless
- Kapa Cat
- Vivian Tendo
Best DJ
- DJ Fikie
- DJ Shiru
- DJ LL
- DJ Bryan
- Selector Jay
- DVJ Mercy
- DJ Slick Stuart & DJ Roja
Video of the Year
- ‘Sunday – Slick Stuart, DJ Roja & Allan Toniks
- ‘Love Yo’ – Feffe Bussi
- ‘Gutujja’ – B2C & Rema
- ‘Tweyanze’ – Irene Namatovu
- ‘Sabisubira’ – Kabako
- ‘Signal’ – Eddy Kenzo
Song of the Year
- ‘Sirwana’ – Sheebah x Carol Nantongo
- ‘Bango’ – Rickman x DT Timo
- ‘Semyekozo’ – Eddy Kenzo
- ‘Do Dat’ – John Blaq
- ‘Gutujja’ – B2C & Rema
- ‘Parte After Parte’ – BigTril
Best Audio Producer
- T.O.N
- Bomba Beat
- Artin Pro
- Producer Ronnie
- Daddy Andre
- Nessim
- Diggy Baur
Best Video Director
- Zero One Media
- Zyga PixPest
- Marvin Musoke
- Aaronaire
- Jahlive Films
- Nolton And George (NG Filmz)
Best Songwriter
- Jamie Culture
- Daddy Andre
- Black Skin
- Yesse Oman
- RafikNince Henry
- Ronnie
- Shena Skies
Best Hip Hop/Rap Song
- ‘Omu Bwati’ – Fik Fameica ft. Patoranking
- ‘Level Up’ – Flex D’paper
- ‘Sikyo’ – Kapa Cat
- ‘Banteeka’ – Fresh Kid
- ‘Parte After Parte’ – BigTril
- ‘Cheating’ – Recho Rey
Best Soul Song
- ‘Tondekangawo’ – Shifah Musisi
- ‘Alemelako’ – Nshuti Mbabazi
- ‘Mwisuka’ – Sandra Nankoma
- ‘Oliwa’ – Kenneth Mugabi
- ‘Laavu Eno’ – Naava Grey
Best Ragga/Dancehall Song
- ‘Sweet Sensation’ – Sheebah ft. Orezi
- ‘Sima’ – Vip Jemo
- ‘Kingdom’ – Ziza Bafana
- ‘Jangu Ondabe’ – Spice Diana x Rosa Ree
- ‘Makanika’ – John Blaq
- ‘Boom Party’ – Cindy Sanyu
- ‘Bango’ – Rickman x Dt Timo
Best Reggae Song
- ‘Bwebinyuma’ – Chris Evans
- ‘Squeeze’ – Fille & Voltage Music
- ‘Obadde Wa’ – Kenneth Mugabi
- ‘Reggea Music’ – DJ Shiru ft. Bruno K & Josesax
- ‘Mukama Taasa’ – Trekxone
Best Band Song
- ‘Hajjati Wa Hajji’ – Vivian Tendo
- ‘Mpedde’ – Jovan Luzinda
- ‘Awululu’ – Henry Mwanje ft. Namiiro Reachel
- ‘Call Me’ – Chris Evans
- ‘Tugende’ – David Lutalo
- ‘Gwe Manyi Gange’ – Sasha Brighton
- ‘Ompuuba’ – Carol Nantongo
Best Contemporary Folk Song
- ‘Ighe Olinaki’ – Lily Kadima
- ‘Yanyiridde’ – Irene Kayemba
- ‘Tweyanze’ – Irene Namatovu
- ‘Bamungamba’ – Da Agent ft. Betinah Fasie
- ‘Miluvu’ – Afande Miah, Hoe ft. Yazo
Best Kadongo Kamu Song
- ‘Obuwangwa’ – Gerald Kiweewa
- ‘Ffa Kubikwatako’ – Kazibwe Kapo
- ‘Omwan’aninze’ – Willy Mukabya
- ‘Stress Free’ – Kasule Cereste
- ‘Obufumbo bwekyavu’ – Jackie Kizito
Best Zouk Song
- ‘Wankolera’ – Lydia Jazmine
- ‘Yitayo’ – Chozen Blood & Winnie Nwagi
- ‘Ebisembayo’ – Geosteady ft. Chosen Becky
- ‘Kyosaba’ – Chosen Becky
- ‘Signal’ – Eddy Kenzo
- ‘Gutujja’ – B2C & Rema
Best Afrobeat Song
- ‘Sabisubira’ – Kabako
- ‘Omusheshe’ – Spice Diana ft. Ray G
- ‘Silwana’ – Sheebah ft. Carol Nantongo
- ‘Do Dat’ – John Blaq
- ‘Semyekozo’ – Eddy Kenzo
- ‘Love Yoo’ – Feffe Bussi
- ‘Nkuloga’ – Grenade
Best Afropop Song
- ‘Munda Dala’ – Nina Roz
- ‘Sikikukweeka’ – Daddy Andre
- ‘Sure’ – Vinka
- ‘Eat zote’ – David Lutalo
- ‘Am Different’ –Fik Fameica
- ‘Ebyalagirwa’ – John Blaq
- ‘Enyanda’ – Sheebah
Best Social Message
- ‘Freedom Anthem’ – Saava Karim
- ‘Tebatusera’ – Tip Swizzy
- ‘Ebizibu’ – Ziza Bafana
- ‘Tobiloberamu’ – Fik Fameica
- ‘Ensi’ – David Lutalo
Best School Act
- Amasomero G’abazira Ba Cbs
- Mumsa High School Mityana
- Wakiso Muslim S.S
- Buddo S.S
- Kyadondo Secondary School Matuga
- St. Peters S.S Bombo
Religious/Gospel Act
- Wilson Bugembe
- John Marie
- Baby Gloria
- Robinsan
- Levixone
- Grace Nakimera
Best Song from Eastern Region
- ‘Nabushawo’ – Peter Rymz
- ‘Miluvu’ – Afande Miah, Hoe ft. Yazo
- ‘Omoyo’ – Jojo Laze
- ‘Twatambula’ – Usher Roberts
- ‘Kankinemu’ – Irene Kayemba
- ‘Busoga Tuseteyo’ – Menton Rass & Roo Ya Simba
Best Song from Northern Region
- ‘Anyaka Man’ – Okeng Born Town
- ‘Big Nayaboli’ – Original Lady Bella
- ‘Pililili Yoo Leng’ – Romeo Odong
- ‘Private Dancer’ – Pine Avenue5
- ‘Alur Mudhing’ – W’ojok Dekoda
- ‘Between’ – Prince Yubu ft. Daxx Kartel & Shim Dropa
- ‘Boli Free’ – General Ice
- ‘Par Pira’ – Professor Maros – Med MacBeepee
Best Song from Southern Region
- ‘Koi Koi Freestyle’ – St. Maxi Mayne ft. Gnl Zamba
- ‘Nkooye Obwomu’ – Mayor Chris Johnz
- ‘Silinda Leero’ – Juicy Landy
- ‘Tundula’ – Lindah Blessing
Best Song from Western Region
- ‘Kingambire’ – Happi Freeman
- ‘Nfumbata’ – Gen Geeon
- ‘Omusheshe’ – Spice Diana & Ray G
- ‘Mpaka Mpaka’ – Emily Kikazi
- ‘Kyahwire’ – Amani Amaniga ft. Big Beats
- ‘Weeshe’ – RemixRay G
- ‘Maama’ – Medotex
- ‘Byansi byakuleka’ – Kelon G
Best Cinematography/Editing
- Jaylive Films
- Marvin Musoke
- Martin Beta
Most Stylish Artist
- Eddy Kenzo
- Grenade
- Pia Pounds
- B2C
- Fik Fameika
- Nina Roz
- Lydia Jazmine
- Spice Diana
Best Rnb Song
- ‘Nkulowooza’ – Jamie Culture
- ‘Falling’ – Allan Toniks & Fille
- ‘Nkwagala Omu’ – Navio ft King Saha
- ‘Sunday’ – Slick Stuart, DJ Roja ft. Allan Toniks
- ‘Kayayana’ – Cosign
- ‘Anjagala’ – Maro