Bien Honoured with Prestigious Award ahead of Trace Awards Gala in Zanzibar

Award-winning singer and songwriter Bien-Aime Baraza was last night honoured with a special award by the Trace Awards team ahead of the 2025 Gala in Zanzibar.

Bien, the only Kenyan artiste nominated for the 2025 Trace Awards, was presented with the prestigious award at Alloy Bar & Lounge during the Trace Awards Tour in Nairobi.

The event had been put together by Johnnie Walker, Airtel Kenya, and Trace Awards to celebrate Bien who stands out as the only Kenyan nominee in the Best Artist – Eastern Africa category – showcasing Kenya’s vibrant contribution to the global music scene.

“It feels great maahn!” Bien said over the nomination.

He went on to highlight that he has been receiving awards for the better part of his career but there is just something special about this specific one.

“You know I have been receiving Awards in clusters before and I have been in groups, still doing great things though. But it just hit different when it is yours,” the ‘Ma Cherrie’ hitmaker candidly shared.

“I have been putting in so much work in the last year since I became a solo artist and my career has just begun so it feels great. Yeah, amazing,” he adds.

Speaking on the upcoming Trace Awards, Bien said that he has no expectations but if he wins the Award in his category it will be a great honour.

Johnnie Walker x Trace Awards

The 2025 Trace Awards and Summit are set to go down on February 24–26, 2025 at the Mora Zanzibar Resort.

Ahead of this landmark event, Johnnie Walker partnered with Trace Awards and Summit 2025 to celebrate African Creativity.

The Trace Awards and Summit 2025 will celebrate African music and talent across 24 categories, with Johnnie Walker proudly sponsoring two key awards: ‘Song of the Year’ and ‘Best Newcomer.’

The event will also feature a two-day summit, bringing together creative discussions, masterclasses, and panels focused on Africa’s creative industries, technology, and branding. Attendees will include artists, managers, DJs, producers, and industry stakeholders from across Africa and the diaspora.

The Awards ceremony will be celebrating the transformative power of Afro-music and culture – a vital part of Kenya’s rich creative heritage, and its growing influence on the global stage.

As African-inspired music continues to captivate audiences worldwide, this partnership reflects Johnnie Walker’s unwavering belief in the bold spirit and the unstoppable energy of African creativity.

Alvin Mbugua, General Manager – Spirits, EABL, added: “At Johnnie Walker, we believe that creativity and progress go hand in hand. This partnership with Trace allows us to celebrate the bold African voices driving global music trends while inspiring future generations to dream big and walk boldly. We are excited to raise the bar for African creatives by giving talented artists a platform to showcase their work while offering fans immersive and unforgettable experiences.”