Rwandan musician Knowless Butera, on Friday, won Rwandan Artiste of the Year Award (2015) in Bingwa Music Awards, organised in Kenya. The second edition of Bingwa Music Awards was held at the Prestige Plaza in Nairobi.

"I’m so happy I won this award, it shows how far I have come and how far I can go. Starting a new year with an award is also an encouragement that I should work even harder to achieve more”

Knowless, born Jeanne d’Arc Butera, who will launch her fourth album in July, said she thinks she won the award because of the collaborations she’s been doing with regional artistes.

Last year, she worked with Roberto of Zambia in her song ‘Te Amo’ and, a few years back, she released ‘Mbyemere’, featuring Uganda’s Vampino.

Knowless beat Tom Close, King James, Dr Claude and Barbara Panther to the awardSauti Sol (East African Artiste of the Year), Diamond Platnumz (Bingwa Artiste of the Year, Tanzania), Cindy (Artist of The Year, Uganda) and Wyre Da Love Child (Ever Relevant Artist of the Year, East Africa) were the other winners on the night.

The Bingwa Awards were created with view to recognise all genres of musical talents in East Africa.

Knowless’ latest achievement comes just a few months after she was also nominated for the 2016 KORA Awards (East African Female Artiste of the Year). She remains in contention for the award. The KORA All Africa Music Awards are given annually to music achievers in Sub-Saharan Africa.

You can vote for Knowless for best East African Female Artiste, by texting Kora 19 and send to +248984000. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

Full list of Friday’s winners

East Africa Artist of The Year – Sauti SolArtist of The Year Kenya – The KansoulArtist of The Year – BahatiNew Artist of The Year – Dufla DiligonSongwriter of The Year – VisitaArtist of The Year Tanzania – Diamond PlatnumzArtist of The Year Uganda – Cindy SanyuArtist of The Year South Sudan – Mary BoyoiArtist of The Year Rwanda – KnowlessDialect Artist of The Year – Ken wa MariaPerformer of the Year – H Art The BandEver Relevant Artist of The Year – WyreShowbiz writer of The Year – Manuel Ntoyai ; The People Daily.Showbiz Personality of The Year – Willis Raburu

Showbiz Magazine of The Year – Pulse MagazineEast Africa DJ of The Year- Deejay Joe MfalmeDeejay of The Year – Deejay CrossfadeVideo of The Year – Papa DennisVideo Director of The Year – Enos OlikEntertainment Site of The Year – MpashoCome Back of The Year – OctopizzoAlbum of The Year – Legends of Kaka -King KakaSong of The Year – Fimbo ya Tatu-GrandpaVerse of The Year – Gabu -P-UnitRadio Station of the Year– Radio MaishaRadio Presenter of The Year– Rashid Abdalla – QfmEast African Comedian of The Year -Jalango’oLegendary Award of The Year– Fred Obachi Machoka; Radio CitizenEast African Record label of the Year- Grandpa Records.