This year’s edition showcased talent across over 20 categories, rewarding works released between August 2022 and July 2023.
By Emmanuel Okoro
The stars aligned in Monrovia, Liberia, over the weekend as the winners of the highly-anticipated 2023 MTN Liberia Music Awards were announced. The award ceremony, which has been a staple in the country’s entertainment calendar since 2014, aims to recognise and celebrate exceptional artistes in Liberia and beyond. This year’s edition showcased talent across over 20 categories, rewarding works released between August 2022 and July 2023.
This prestigious event saw Nuchie Meek emerge as the night’s biggest winner, taking home the coveted “Artiste of the Year” award. Meek also won in multiple categories, including “Hipco/Trapco Song of the Year”, “Hipco/Trapco Artiste of the Year”, and “Male Artiste of the Year”.
(Read also: Kabza de Small Dominates, Ntokozo Mbambo Shines, and AKA Gets Posthumously Honoured at the 2023 SAMAs)
Afrobeats sensation, Asake, was also crowned the “International Artiste of the Year”, facing stiff competition from fellow Nigerian artistes such as Burna Boy, Rema, Davido, and Ayra Starr.
Joining Meek in the winner’s circle include JZyNo who won “Afropop Artiste of the Year”, “Afropop Song of the Year”, and “Collaboration of the Year” for his 2023 single, “Butta My Bread”. Anitram scooped up two awards, including “Female Artiste of the Year” and “New Artiste of the Year”.
See full winners list of nominees and winners below:
Artiste of the Year
- JZyNo
- MC Caro
- Nuchie Meek
- Fazari
- CIC
- J Slught
Album of the Year
- Definition – Joeim and Jazzy
- Trouble Coming – King Dennis
- The Bitter Root Promo Tape – CO.Z
- The Departure – Fazari
- Just Another Tape – Tito Gee
- My Way – MC Caro
Group of the Year
- Soul Fresh
On-Air Personality of the Year
- DJ Crucifix
- DJ Weezy
- Shizzle
- DJ J Mark
- O’Neal Roberts
DJ of the Year
- DJ Nelly
- DJ American
- DJ Spesh
- DJ Mo
- DJ Supreme
Song of the Year
- Baby – MC Caro
- Buh Lah Lie? – Nuchie Meek
- Butta My Bread – JZyNo
- Don’t Give Up On Me – CIC
- Talk It – J Borbor
International Artiste of the Year
- Burna Boy
- Rema
- Asake
- Davido
- Ayra Starr
Collaboration of the Year
- Butta My Bread – JZyNo
- Buh Lah Lie – Nuchie Meek
- Cheetah – Anitram
- Chemo Slow Down – King Dee
- Oh My Love – J Slught
Hip-Hop Artiste of the Year
- Dope Zulu
- Owezzy
- JAIISB
- Tito Gee
- King Sao Boso
- CO.Z
New Artiste of the Year
- King Dennis
- A. Wood
- J Borbor
- Anitram
- King Dee
- Dat Way Ezzy
Gospel Artiste of the Year
- David Mell
- Jesse Prat
- Berenice Blackie
- Nuchie Michael
- Paul Harding
Male Artiste of the Year
- JZyNo
- J Borbor
- Nuchie Meek
- Kizzy W
- J Slught
- L’Frankie
Producer of the Year
- Dr. Base
- Kellzbeat
- Flexzbeat
- Extreme Beat
- DuBlack
- Rap Kid Beats
Female Artiste of the Year
- MC Caro
- Anitram
- Lortonio
- Faithvonic
- Gusee
Afropop Artiste of the Year
- J Slught
- JZyNo
- Stunn
- Kobazzie
- Kizzy W
- Anitram
Reggae/ Dancehall Artiste of the Year
- AK Feelings Man
- Beenieking BS2
- CanC Queen
- Shatta Capone
Afropop Song of the Year
- “Butta My Bread” – JZyNo
- “Celebrate” – J Slught
- “Medicine” – Stunn
- “Something Big” – L’Frankie
- “Cheetah” – Anitram
Video of the Year
- “Go Low” – Kobazzie
- “Butta My Bread” – JZyNo
- Cheetah” – Anitram
- “Don’t Give Up On Me” – CIC
- “Vibe” – Barsee
Traditional Gbema Song of the Year
- “Modern Old Skool Mash Up” – Teacher Kolokwa
- “You Will Get It” – Flexzbeat
- “Ayaaah” – Barsee
- “Talk It” – J Borbor
Hipco/Trapco Song of the Year
- “Buh Lah Lie?” – Nuchie Meek
- “Chamo Slow Down” – King Dee
- “Baby” – MC Caro
- “Something Big” – L’Frankie
- “Stick 8 There” – Fazari
Hipco/Trapco Artiste of the Year
- Nuchie Meek
- King Dennis
- Barsee
- MC Caro
- Dat Way Ezzy
- Fazari
Video Director of the Year
- Jackie Russ
- Kenzo Debo
- Sayou Tequah
- A. Charles
- Young Imaging