Entertainment

AFRIMA Diamond Showcase Kicks Off, Celebrates Rising Talent

Published

11 months ago

November 19, 2025

AFRIMA Diamond showcase invites Africa’s emerging musicians to apply for mentorship, exposure, and performances ahead of the 2026 Awards in Lagos

The AFRIMA Diamond showcase has officially opened applications for its 9th Edition, offering a premier platform to highlight Africa’s most promising emerging music talents.

Also read: AFRIMA 2026 Postponed to January in Lagos

The announcement was made in a press statement released on Tuesday.

The initiative invites singers, rappers, DJs, producers, and instrumentalists from across the continent to submit entries via the official portal or AFRIMA’s Instagram page. Applications will run from November 18 to December 8, 2025.

Janatte Haddadi, AFRIMA’s Regional Manager for Northern Africa, described the showcase as a transformative opportunity for young creatives ready to take their careers to the next level.

She emphasised that many gifted African artists remain unheard despite their exceptional potential, and the platform aims to bridge this gap through visibility, mentorship, and industry access.

Applicants must upload a 45-second performance video, after which a jury will shortlist the top 15 finalists, known as “The Diamonds.”

These finalists will travel to Lagos for a live showcase from January 6 to 7, 2026, performing each evening from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

Selected artists will enjoy an all-expense-paid trip, exclusive AFRIMA merchandise, mentorship sessions, and the opportunity to perform before high-profile music executives, media representatives, and influential industry leaders.

“We want to find the brightest diamonds in the rough across Africa,” Haddadi said. “If you believe in your gift, this is the time to act. Don’t wait. Don’t hold back. Submit your entry. Africa is ready to meet its next big talents.”

The Diamond Showcase is part of the build-up to the 9th AFRIMA Awards, taking place in Lagos from January 7 to 11, 2026.

Also read: Musawa Inaugurates 2025 AFRIMA Organising Committee in Abuja

Organised in partnership with the African Union and Lagos State Government, the event will include the Africa Music Business Summit, Music Village Concert, Nominees Party, Red Carpet, and the grand Awards Night, reaching audiences in more than 84 countries worldwide.

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Events

Nigerian Film ‘Anu (Mercy)’ Wins Best Nollywood Award in Toronto

Published

3 days ago

October 9, 2026

Mariam Balogun

Anu (Mercy) film award recognition sees Temitope Jude Egwu’s debut feature win Best Nollywood Film at the 2026 Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (more…)

Culture

OLOJO….Ile Ife’s September Gift To Culture

Published

1 week ago

October 5, 2026

Mariam Balogun

By Halima Adaba,

It was a featubal if the people. It was for the anciebt town of Ile Ife, which the Yoruba race refards as the Source.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

And ut was a festivsl for the King, Arole Oduduwa, Oonirisa, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

And so between September 24 and 28th 2026, the annual featuval dazzjed in all its white glory.

Tge Monarch paid the traditional ancestral homage and offered propitiation as part of the sacred rites of the Olojo Festival.
It was a powerful expression of Yoruba heritage, spirituality, and enduring tradition.

Call it a collection of beautiful moments, faces, colours and cultural expressions.

Every frame tells a story.

Every face carries the energy.

Every moment keeps the heritage alive.

Undoubtedly one of the most sacred cultural celebrations in Ilé-Ifẹ̀. It marked a day associated with creation, thanksgiving, ancestral heritage, and the sacred appearance of the Ooni of Ife wearing the revered Aàrẹ crown.

There were also the devotees of the famed god of thunder – Sàngó who were hardly conspicuous at the festival.

Many other traditional groups came out with candor, showing a powerful expression of Yoruba cultural identity, spiritual devotion, and respect for the ancient traditions of Ilé-Ifẹ̀.

Devotees of Sàngó bekieved the ‘appearance’ of the god of thunder on Seotember 26th could be understood as a symbolic meeting of ancestral heritage, spiritual devotion, and the celebration of creation.

It was a moment when the sounds of drums, chants, and traditional praise poetry brought the history of the Yoruba people to life.

Although Olojo is closely associated with Ogun, the god of iron, and the sacred traditions of Ile-Ife, the presence of Sàngó devotees reflected the rich diversity of Yoruba spiritual heritage.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

As a participant enthused at the festival, “To witness Sàngó Olúkòso emerge on Olojo Festival day is to witness a living expression of history, identity, and ancestral pride.”