Africa Entertainment Awards USA on Tuesday, September 12 released the list of the official nominees for this year’s awards. The list featured only two Kenyan artists namely Nadia Mukami and Otile Brown.

Nadia Mukami was nominated in the Album of the Year category and also got a nod in the Best Female East Africa slot. Otile Brown on the other hand got a nomination in the Best Male Artist East Africa category.

Other notable Kenyans on the list included usual candidates Sautisol who were nominated in the Best Group of the Year category. Mamito Eunice also got her nomination in the comedian of the year category.

Otile Brown and Nadia Mukami will have to face off with stiff competition at this year’s awards. Nadia is placed against giants like rapper M.I from Nigeria who released probably the best Rap album in The Guy. Tanzanian star Diamond Platnumz is also in the same category with his viral project First of All.

Nadia Mukami faces stiff competition in this category.

Despite this tough competition, these two Kenyan artists deserve much appreciation for what they are doing for the industry. They have been consistent for a while now and are finally getting the rewards.

Sautisol, who have been reported to be breaking up, deserve props too despite them being picked in their usual category. They have been at the top of their game ever since they set foot in the music industry more than a decade ago. The boy band have traversed borders with their music and performed in the best stages all over the world.

Our biggest disappointment this year comes in the Hip Hop category where we expected at least one of our OGs would receive some form of appraisal. The list is void of any Kenyan rapper.