Singer Bien beats Diamond to win prestigious award at Trace Awards

Kenyan singer Bien-Aime Baraza has been crowned as the Best Artiste in Eastern Africa at the just-concluded Trace Awards, held in Zanzibar last night.

This is Bien’s solo award and also the first time the Trace Award is coming to Kenya. The Sauti Sol lead vocalist was the only Kenyan artiste nominated for the 2025 Trace Awards.

Bien had been pitted against Diamond Platnumz, Harmonize, Zuchu, Joshua Baraka, Nandy, Marioo, and Rophnan for the prestigious award.

The Trace Awards and Summit is an annual event honouring outstanding achievements in African music and inspiring future generations of artistes.

The Awards gala in Zanzibar was graced by top Africa artistes among; Bien, Rema, Yemi Alade, Fally Ipupa,  Inoss B, Juma Jux, Zuchu, Nandy, D’banj, Black Sheriff, Tyler ICU, DIDI B, King Promise among others.

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

The event also featured a two-day summit, bringing together creative discussions, masterclasses, and panels focused on Africa’s creative industries, technology, and branding.

Attendees included artistes, managers, DJs, producers, and industry stakeholders from across Africa and the diaspora.

The Awards ceremony celebrated 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.

Several Kenyans took to social media to congratulate Bien for the big win at Trace Awards gala that happened in Zanzibar.

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