NEW JERSEY – The biggest names in the entertainment industry worldwide were rewarded for their enormous contribution towards music at the AEUSA 2022, which was held in a virtual ceremony on the December 31, 2022.
Ugandan Edirisa Musuuza better known by his stage name – Eddy Kenzo was one of the winners on the day – scooping the best male African artist of the year 2022 at the awards. On the same day and platform, Uganda’s sensational dance group – the Ghetto Kids emerged the best in the category where another troupe from Masaka featured prominently.
Kenzo, who was nominated for a Grammy in November of last year, shared the good news on his official social media –Instagram page.
The ‘Semyekozo’ singer described the achievement as a ‘perfect start for the year 2023.
“What a beautiful way to end 2022 and start 2023. We are East, South, and North Africa’s Best Male Artists. We thank you African Entertainment Awards, USA – AEAUSA for the recognition,” noted Kenzo on his Instagram.
AEAUSA is an annual event mainly consisting of music award events. The last year’s event was held through a virtual ceremony that took place on December 31, 2022.
Last year, the BET award winner was nominated in the 2023 Grammy Awards under the ‘Best Global Music Performance” category, becoming the first Ugandan artiste to get a suggestion at the prestigious awards.
The event is composed of 30 categories including 22-music as well as eight-non-music – and the maiden edition of the African Entertainment Awards was held in October 2015, at the Mary Burch Theater in Newark, New Jersey.
The 5th AEAUSA Awards was held on October 19, 2019, at the New Jersey Institute of Technology with Kenyan comedian Eric Omondi and Ugandan actress Anita Fabiola as co-hosts in honouring African excellence and its pioneers at the ceremony.
Musuuza has in the past won BET, and Nickelodeon awards among others. He has on several occasions hit headlines on different fronts – political or his known musical trade.
He has been nominated in the Best Global Music Performance category alongside Arooj Aftab and Anoushka Shankar, Burna Boy, Rocky Dawuni and Blvk H3ro, Bayethe Wouter Kellerman, Zakes Bantwini and Nomcebo Zikode.
The 65th annual Grammy awards ceremony is scheduled for February 5, 2023 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Here is a full list of winners at the prestigious AEUSA 2022;
Best Francophone Female Artist/Group
Mariam Ba – Winner
Best Francophone Male Artist/Group
Fally Ipupa – Winner
Best Dj
Best Dancer/Group
Masaka Kids Africana Afro-Afriqué
Triplets Ghetto Kids – Winner
Artist Of The Year
Burna Boy – Winner
Best Music Video
Mickael Marabou X Davido Mwen Love Ou – Winner
Best Band Duo/Group
Klass – Winner
Best Hip Hop/Rap Artist
Iba One – Winner
Best Female Artist
Spice Diana
Cleo Ice Queen – Winner
Tiwa Savage
Best Male Artist
Yo Maps – Winner
Best Album – Diamond Pltnumz (First Of All)
Song Of The Year – Kizz Daniel Buga
Rising Star Of The Year – Luciane Dom
Best Male Artist Central/West Africa – Fally Ipupa
Best Female Artist Central/West Africa – Ayra Starr
Best Male Artist East/South/North Africa – Eddy Kenzo
Best Female Artist East/South/North Africa – Zahara
Best Comedian – Trevor Noah
Best Gospel Artist – Ephraim Son Of Africa
Best Reggae / Dancehall Artist – Ruger
Best Latino Artist Of The Year – Maluma