The 9th edition of the Afrima awards have overlooked Liberia despite strong musical output.
Missed Chances Since 2019
Following Kanvee’s win, Liberia’s appearances at AFRIMA have been limited. The last nomination came in 2023, when Jzyno’s breakout hit “Butta My Bread” earned a nod but lost to Ghana’s King Paluta. Since then, Liberia has been absent from the nomination lists, including the 2025 AFRIMA Awards, despite a surge in quality releases.
Kanvee G. Adams and a Historic Moment
Liberia’s most notable presence at the AFRIMA Awards remains Kanvee G. Adams, who earned three nominations and took home two awards in 2019, emerging as a standout figure for Liberia, securing two major honors. She was named Songwriter of the Year for her track “Daily Prayer” and also took home the award for Best Female Artist in African Inspirational Music.
This double victory solidified her status as a celebrated representative of Liberian talent on one of the continent’s most prestigious musical stages.
Streaming Numbers Tell a Different Story
several Liberian artists posted impressive performances that seemingly merited recognition. Jzyno’s “Go Down” featuring The Game generated international buzz. Rising act Larry G spent over 13 consecutive weeks on Apple Music Liberia with “My Time.” TeddyRide’s “Wleesayma” has charted for more than 40 weeks since debuting in December 2024, peaking at No. 1. CIC is another artist that should’ve gotten recognitions due to a highly successful album LOCAL CHAMPIONS that have 3 no.1 hits on there with features from DREMO, STUNN and many more.
2025 Afrima Artists being nominated that are from West Africa
Talent Beyond Market Size
Liberia’s music scene is currently in a compelling position. While the country’s population of 5.7 million is significantly smaller than industry giants like Nigeria and Ghana—who dominate the global Afrobeats market—Liberia possesses a unique competitive edge through its home-grown talent.
We have talents in a lot of genres including country music or Afro-Appalachian folk some may call it, and Mon Rovia stands alone in this genre with a fan based off more than 4.5 Millions across all platforms. As of today Mon rovia Currently holds the no.1 album on itune strong writer charts with hits like Bloodline, Heavy Foot, Running Boy and Crooked the Road are all charting.
Although competing directly with the established Afrobeats machine is a steep challenge, Liberian artists specializing in Gbema (the nation’s native genre) and Afropop are proving they can hold their own. These performers have mastered the art of “tapping into the 808,” blending modern production with a deep, authentic connection to their fanbase.
The Strength of Liberian Lyricism
In the realms of rap and Afro-rap, Liberia is home to some of the continent’s most elite lyricists. Throughout 2025, several key artists have consistently proven that Liberian rap is ready for the world stage:
– Bucky Raw: Known for his raw delivery and storytelling.
– Lib Foreign: Bringing a global perspective to the local sound.
– Phil Caesar: Recognized for technical precision and bars.
This momentum is further bolstered by artists like Reuben Vincent, who is pushing the culture forward through eclectic, high-profile collaborations with icons such as Raphael Saadiq, Wale, and his debut album was produced by Roc Nations very owned 9TH Wonder. And than you have RMR—the latter of whom boasts a full project with Wiz Khalifa.
The Verdict
The data and streaming numbers from the past year suggest that the music is high-quality and commercially viable. The “Liberian sound” is no longer just a local phenomenon; it is ready for international consumption. The only thing missing is the global recognition and industry infrastructure to match the caliber of the talent.
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