The 14th HiPipo Music Awards, one of East Africa's biggest music honors, bring together top talent from across the region and beyond to celebrate music excellence.
Rwandan artists are competing in two key categories: Song of the Year in East Africa and Artist of the Year in the region, proving Rwanda's rising influence in African music.
Song of the Year in East Africa: The nominees from Rwanda include hit tracks such as:
- ‘Yebo’ by Vestine and Dorcas
- ‘Umutima’ by Butera Knowless
- ‘True Love’ by The Ben
They face stiff competition from regional giants, including:
- Joshua Baraka with ‘Wrong Places’
- Mbosso with ‘Pawa’
- Diamond Platnumz collaborating with Bien on ‘Katam’
- Jux teaming up with Diamond Platnumz on ‘Ololufe Mi’
- Marioo with Bien on ‘Nairobi’
- Karole Kasita with ‘GO’
- Toxic Lyrikaki with ‘Backbencher’
Artist of the Year: In this prestigious category, Rwandan stars The Ben, Bruce Melodie, and Element EleeeH are up against industry leaders such as:
- Diamond Platnumz
- Bien
- Joshua Baraka
- Azawi
- Jux
- Mbosso
These nominations further cement the growing reputation of Rwandan music within regional and international music circles.
The Event: Scheduled to attract thousands of fans, the 14th HiPipo Music Awards will be a grand affair, celebrating music, technology, and innovation. Fans will gather to witness unforgettable performances in a night dedicated to excellence in African music.
Ugandan stars: Rising Ugandan talents Ava Peace and Joshua Baraka have dominated this year’s nomination list, competing in eight different categories and showcasing the emergence of young talent in the African music industry.
Africa's Number One: Among the most coveted awards of the night is "Africa's Number One," where nominees include celebrated icons across the continent such as:
- Burna Boy
- Diamond Platnumz
- Tems
- Rema
- Tyla
- Wizkid
- Ayra Star
- Angelique Kidjo
- Shallipopi
- Mohamed Ramadan
HiPipo Music Awards' impact: Over the past 14 years, the HiPipo Music Awards have played a vital role in celebrating, promoting, and amplifying African artists' voices globally.
Timeline: Voting began on October 10 and will close on November 14, 2025. Winners will be revealed in an exciting finale held at the Kampala Serena Hotel, drawing music fans not only from Africa but also worldwide.
The Ben is a top competitor for the Song of the Year award with his hit track ‘True Love’. Additionally, he’s in the running for Artist of the Year in East Africa, underscoring his influence in the music industry.
Bruce Melodie is competing for the coveted Artist of the Year title in East Africa, representing Rwandan artistry at its best.
Element EleeeH, known for his unique style and creativity, stands as a nominee for Artist of the Year in East Africa.
Vestine & Dorcas: This duo has earned a nomination in the Song of the Year category with their hit single ‘Yebo’, further highlighting Rwanda's musical prowess.
Butera Knowless: Her soulful track ‘Umutima’ has claimed a spot among the top nominees for Song of the Year in East Africa.