Queen Rima has claimed victory in the prestigious Prix Découvertes RFI 2025, held on February 18. She outperformed other renowned African artists, including Uwase Bukuru Christiane, known as Boukuru, who represented Rwanda in the competition.
This significant win came as a result of online voting, reflecting Queen Rima’s growing global fan base. It was her third time in the contest, making this triumph a testament to her perseverance and talent.
In this edition, Queen Rima competed against an impressive lineup of artists from various countries, such as Dina M (Madagascar), Suintement and Jenny Paria (DR Congo), Grégory Laforest (Haiti), Sahad (Senegal), Straiker (Guinea), Yewhe Yeton (Benin), and Joyce Babatunde (Cameroon).
Her music, rooted in the vibrant genres of Amapiano and Dancehall, sets her apart. Queen Rima is celebrated for her innovative sound and powerful messages promoting women's empowerment and gender equality.
Queen Rima’s musical journey began with a background in dance. She performed alongside notable artists, including Djelika Babintou, and later created the Toxaï Girls dance group, where she honed her skills for a decade. Transitioning from dancer to solo artist, she has carved out a space as a leading voice in African music.
She rose to fame with hit songs like “Lantchou mi Yobaï” and “Guinée Won Nomane,” which pay tribute to women who serve and uplift her home country. Through her multilingual performances in her native Guinean dialect, English, and French, Queen Rima continues to emphasize the message that “women can achieve as much as men can.”
According to the organizers of the RFI Prix Découvertes, Queen Rima is set to embark on a grand concert tour across Africa and Europe, in collaboration with the Institut Français and Radio France Internationale (RFI).
Tour Dates: Her concert series will kick off in Africa's major cities, including:
- Lagos, Nigeria: October 18, 2025
- Cotonou, Benin: October 21, 2025
- Lomé, Togo: October 24, 2025
- Bujumbura, Burundi: November 7, 2025
- Kigali, Rwanda: November 9, 2025
- Ndjamena, Chad: November 12, 2025
- Libreville, Gabon: November 14, 2025
Queen Rima, who was awarded €10,000 (approximately 14 million Rwandan Francs) as part of her prize, expressed her excitement, stating that this moment marks a fresh chapter in fostering African music innovation and supporting the empowerment of women in the arts.
Queen Rima Makes History: The 2025 RFI Prix Découvertes winner is set to light up Kigali’s music stage on November 9.
Africa Tour: This award-winning artist is making waves with her RFI Prix Découvertes 2025 tour
Breaking Barriers: Queen Rima proves that women can achieve greatness in music and beyond.
From Dance to Music Star: Rising from her beginnings as a dancer, Queen Rima has become a household name in African music.