Ugandan music heavyweight Bebe Cool has been nominated for the prestigious Timeless Impact Award at the 2026 African Muzik Magazine Awards, AFRIMMA
The nomination places the Gagamel boss among 10 of Africa’s most enduring music icons. He will be competing against Timaya, Flavour, Kcee of Nigeria, Sarkodie of Ghana, Oskido and Mafikizolo of South Africa, Amr Diab of Egypt, Slapdee of Zambia, and Nameless of Kenya.
The Timeless Impact Award recognizes legendary artists whose influence has helped shape African music across generations.
According to AFRIMMA, this year’s shortlist “celebrates some of the continent’s most enduring names, with honorees spanning multiple regions and genres. From Afrobeats and Highlife to Kwaito and Afro-pop, the category highlights artists whose contributions continue to inspire fans and musicians alike.”
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Each nominee has built a remarkable legacy through decades of chart-topping music, cultural influence, and consistent contributions to the growth of African entertainment. Their impact, AFRIMMA notes, “extends beyond hit records, helping to elevate African music on both continental and global stages.”
For East Africa, Bebe Cool and Kenya’s Nameless are the sole representatives in the category — a testament to the region’s contribution to the continent’s sound.
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The AFRIMMA nod comes at a peak moment for Bebe Cool.
He recently released his highly anticipated 7-track EP, NO RISK, which is currently dominating airwaves and streaming charts in Uganda. The project is a genre-blending journey through Afrobeat, Dancehall, Reggaeton, and R&B, anchored by a distinct Ugandan vibe.
The EP arrives just one year after his critically acclaimed album BREAK THE CHAINS, released on May 30, 2025. That project reaffirmed Bebe Cool’s dominance and earned praise for fusing Afro-electronic, Afrotech, and Afro-pop into a bold, futuristic sound.
With a career spanning over two decades, from dancehall anthems to Afro-pop evolution, Bebe Cool remains one of Uganda’s most influential cultural exports.
The Timeless Impact Award is tipped to be one of the most celebrated categories at AFRIMMA 2026, which will be held in Dallas, Texas. Voting details are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
As voting opens, fans across Uganda and the diaspora are expected to rally behind Bebe Cool as he flies the Ugandan flag in a category honoring music that “continues to stand the test of time.”
