AFRIMA: Ugandan DJ Lito Brings Home ‘Best African DJ’ Award

A Ugandan disc jockey, DJ Lito, has won the best African DJ award at the 8th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).

It was a breathtaking experience at the 15-000 capacity Dakar Arena, in Dakar, Senegal, as superstars across the continent clinched trophies at the 8th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) aka ‘The Teranga Edition’.

Broadcast live to over 84 countries around the world, the 8th AFRIMA in Senegal saw superstars like the Nigerian maverick Davido, clinch 3 awards in one night as he emerged winner of the “Best African Collaboration”, “Best Duo or Group in African Electro”, and “Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music” categories, respectively.

Other continental champions such as Egyptian rapper Marwan Moussa followed closely, clinching two awards for “Best African Rapper/Lyricist,” as well as “Best Duo or Group in African Hip Hop” categories, respectively.
Importantly, in the non-voting category, the International Executive Committee bestowed the “Legend Award” for the 8th AFRIMA to three iconic Senegalese veterans including Youssou N’dour, Baaba Maal, and Ismail Lo.

Real name Ssekitooleko Ronald Lyto, the Ugandan deejay emerged winner in the “Best African DJ” category for the song “Tick Talk” feat. Bebe Cool, Sheilah Gashumba, Slick Stuart & Roja.

He defeated top continental deejays like; DJ P2N (DRC), DJ Sly King (Ghana), DJ Snake (Algeria), DJ Tarico Ft. DJ Consequence (Mozambique & Nigeria), DJ Yessonia (Namibia), DJ Zinhle (South Africa), MAJOR LEAGUE DJz (South Africa), Spinall (Nigeria), Uncle Waffles (Swaziland), Zakes Batwini (South Africa).

A record producer and media personality, DJ Lito first gained prominence in 2015, while working as a DJ in Gayaza. He later joined Casablanca Kololo in 2016 where he promoted Ugandan talents on a daily platform for three years. He rose to fame in late 2020 upon performing at Next Media’s Next Radio and NBS TV Virtual Lockdown performances.

He later became a versatile DJ and a crowd reader that selects music from different genres of music ranging from Afropop, EDM, Amapiano, Hip Hop, RNB, Dancehall and Reggae depending on the vibe of the crowd that makes him able to perform at any event or party, according to his website.

He became the most booked Disk Jockey in Ugandan Nightlife and events industry being booked by various nightclubs and bars around the country like Club Guvnor, Exo Lounge, La Paroni’s, Vault, Casablanca Kololo Cat Walk Bar & Lounge, Pier One Ntinda, FAME Lounge, La Teraza, Club El Tanja Mbale among others and also got an international booking to perform in Kigali, Rwanda at Calabash Rooftop Bar for the Chop Life Experience hosted by Sheila Gashumba the Queen of Nightlife in East Africa.

In late 2021, DJ Lito started working on his first single “Tick Talk” with Bebe Cool featuring Sheila Gashumba aka Lil Stunner, Slick Stuart & Dj Roja with turned out to be a mega-hit not only in Uganda but also in the global market.

This song earned him an AFRIMA Awards 2022 Nomination in the “Best African Dj” category which he later won at the Dakar Awards Ceremony.

He is the only Ugandan who won the AFRIMA award this time around.

All the winners across the remaining 39 categories for the 8th AFRIMA in Senegal were decided by popular votes from music lovers.

The voting period for the 8th AFRIMA began on September 25, 2022, and ended on Friday, January 13, 2023.

The voting procedure and results were reviewed and collated by an international auditor of great repute, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) – auditors of the Oscars.

Find the full list of winners for the 8th AFRIMA below:

CONTINENTAL WINNER

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).