Bebe Cool has earned a nomination in the Timeless Impact Award category at the 2026 African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA), joining a shortlist of ten artists recognized as some of Africa’s most enduring musical figures.
The Gagamel label boss will go up against a formidable lineup including Nigeria’s Timaya, Flavour, and Kcee, Ghana’s Sarkodie, South Africa’s Oskido and Mafikizolo, Egypt’s Amr Diab, Zambia’s Slapdee, and Kenya’s Nameless.
The award category honors legendary artists whose work has left a lasting mark on African music across generations. AFRIMMA describes this year’s shortlist as a tribute to the continent’s most lasting names, drawn from different regions and genres, spanning Afrobeats, Highlife, Kwaito, and Afro-pop, with each artist noted for inspiring fans and fellow musicians alike.
The organizers point out that these artists’ contributions go well beyond individual hits, helping to raise the profile of African music both at home and internationally. Notably, Bebe Cool and Nameless stand as the only East African representatives in the category, underscoring the region’s role in shaping the continent’s musical identity.
The nomination lands at a strong moment for Bebe Cool. He recently dropped his 7-track EP NO RISK, which is currently topping charts and getting heavy airplay across Uganda. The project blends Afrobeat, Dancehall, Reggaeton, and R&B while retaining a distinctly Ugandan feel.
It follows his acclaimed album BREAK THE CHAINS, released on May 30, 2025, which was praised for its fusion of Afro-electronic, Afrotech, and Afro-pop sounds and further cemented his standing in the industry.
Over a career spanning more than two decades, from his early dancehall hits to his evolution into Afro-pop, Bebe Cool has remained a defining voice in Uganda’s music export story.
AFRIMMA 2026 will be held in Dallas, Texas, and the Timeless Impact Award is expected to be one of the night’s most closely watched categories. Voting details will be released in the coming weeks, and fans in Uganda and across the diaspora are likely to throw their support behind Bebe Cool as he represents the country in a category built to honor music that endures.
