By Marcus Moloko
Photos by Eddie Mtsweni
METRO FM has officially unveiled the nominees for the highly anticipated 2026 METRO FM Music Awards.
The announcement was made at a star-studded nominees’ party held at Hyde Park’s The Forum, where artists, industry leaders, and fans gathered to mark the beginning of the awards season.
This year’s awards feature 21 categories and more than 100 artists, showcasing the breadth of talent across genres from jazz and gospel to amapiano, hip hop, and traditional sounds.
Kina Nhlengethwa, Metro FM business manager, emphasized the importance of the awards in showcasing South Africa’s musical creativity:
“These nominations reflect the vibrant diversity of our music landscape. It’s a testament to the creativity and talent of our artists, and we’re excited to honour their achievements,” he said.
Nhlengethwa also extended gratitude to long-standing partners such as the Motsepe Foundation, Africa Fashion International (AFI), and Santam, while welcoming new sponsors Lottostar, Icebolethu, and SAMRO to the Metro FM Music Awards family.
Two new categories have been introduced this year:
Best Maskandi, celebrating traditional Zulu folk music.
Best Lekompo, a genre blending African traditional sounds with contemporary pop and electronic elements.
These additions highlight METRO FM’s commitment to embracing both heritage and innovation in South African music.
Nominees
Among the standout nominees, Jazzworld and Thukuthela lead the pack with seven nominations each, while Mawhoo, Sam Deep, and Kabza De Small also secured multiple nods.
Rising stars such as Karishma, Goon Flavour, and Nkesh earned their first-ever nominations.
Song of the Year contenders include Shela by Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle and Mano, Abantwana Bakho by DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small and Young Stunna, and Bengicela by Mawhoo, Jazzwrld and Thukuthela.
Best Collaboration features powerhouse acts like Ladysmith Black Mambazo alongside Nduduzo Makhathini and Mbuso Khoza.
Best Female Artist nominees include Mawhoo, Lordkez, Zee Nxumalo, Shandesh, and Lwa Ndlunkulu.
Best Male Artist sees Sam Deep, Ciza, Kabza De Small, Kelvin Momo, and DJ Maphorisa competing for top honours.
The METRO FM Music Awards 2026 will take place at the Durban ICC Centre on Saturday, 25 April 2026, proudly hosted by the City of eThekwini.
Fans can cast their votes for their favourite nominees at www.metrofm.co.za.
Here is a full list of the nominees for the METRO FM Music Awards 2026:
Best Jazz Album
- Mandisi Dyantyis – Intlambululo: ukuhlambulula
- Judith Sephuma – When winter fades
- Andile Yenana – Way out is in
- Benjamin Jeptha – Homecoming Revisited
- Siphamandla ‘paras’ Dlamini – Ingoma Busuku
Best Gospel Album
- Xolly Mncwango – Unusual live / Deluxe
- Nontokozo Mkhize – The live experience
- Musa Yende – Sustained by grace
- Mmatema – Heart of gratitude
- Nothando Hlophe – A new dawn
Best Produced Album
- Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – Most wanted
- Kabza De Small – Bab Motha
- Sam Deep, Stixx and Nvcho – Kings of kwapi
- Kelvin Momo – Thato ya modimo
- Lwah Ndlunkulu – Amaciko
Best Collaboration
- Sam Deep, Nia pearl, Boohle and Mano – Shela
- Jazzwrld, Mawhoo, Thukuthela and Gl_ceejay – Uzizwa Kanjani
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makhathini & Mbuso Khoza – You make me happy
- Mawhoo, Gl ceejay, Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – Bengicela
- Goon fFavour, Master kKG& Eemoh – Ngishutheni
Song of the year
- Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle & Mano – Shela
- Dj Smallz, 031 Choppa & Uncool MC– Zep
- Dj Maphorisa, Xduppy, Kabza De Small, Thatohatsi, Young Stunna & Nkosazana Daughter- Abantwana Bakho
- Mawhoo, Gl ceejay, Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – Bengicela
- Khadeair, Peekay Mzee & Kaytah – Magumba
- Jazzwrld, Mawhoo, Thukuthela & Gl_ceejay – Uzizwa kanjani
- Shandesh and Mvzzle – Sdudla or Slender
- Goon Flavour, Master KG & Eemoh – Ngishutheni
- Umafikizolo – Uzoncengwa unyoko
- Ciza, Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – Isaka
Best Viral Challenge
- Dj Smallz, Zinedinex, Sguche;031 Choppa & Uncool MC– Zep
- Mluucisian, Ricky Lenyora, DJ Maphorisa, Vulela Maweekend; Mark Khoza & Angekenanuye MC – Malacosta
- Goon Flavour, Master KG & Eemoh – Ngishutheni
- Shandesh and Mvzzle- Sdudla or Slender
- Umafikizolo – Uyoncengwa Unyoko
Best Female Artist
- Mawhoo
- Lordkez
- Zee Nxumalo
- Shandesh
- Lwa Ndlunkulu
Best Styled Artist
- Musa Keys
- Dali wonga
- K.O
- Vusi Nova
- Zee Nxumalo
Best R&B Song
- Lordkez – Aweh
- Una Rams – Priceless Possesion
- Naledi Aphiwe and Mawelele- Come Duze
- Lloyiso – Higher
- Langa Mavuso – Dangerous
Best Maskandi
- Umafikizolo – Uzoncengwa Unyoko
- Simonofu and Zee Nxumalo – Sajola Kamnandi
- Mzukulu, Intombi yasolundi – Ubu Ghost Bami
- Khuzani – Umanikinikana
- Siya Ntuli – Amaphiko
Best Male Artist
- Sam Deep
- Ciza
- Kabza De Small
- Kelvin Momo
- DJ Maphorisa
Best HIP HOP
- Stogie T, Nasty C, Maggz & A- Reece – Four Horsemen
- Yanga Chief – What if (Mngani)
- Big Zulu ft. Emtee – Abazazi bafunani
- Makwa ft. Kwesta – Umguzumbane we Summer
- K.O ft. Cassper nyovest- Supa Nova
Best Dance
- Mawhoo – Cl_ceejay, Thukuthela & Jazzwrld- Bengicela
- Khadeair, Peekay Mzee, Kaytah – Magumba
- Ciza, Jazzwrld, Thukuthela – Isaka
- Jazzwrld, Thukuthela, Babalwa M & Dlala Thukzin – Uvalo
- Jazzwrld, Mawhoo & Thukuthela, Gl_ceejay – Uzizwa kanjani
Best Music Video
- Zee Nxumalo, Skillz & Sykes – Mamma
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makhathini & Mbuso Khoza – You make me happy
- Lordkez – Aweh
- Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle & Mano – Shela
- Ciza, Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – Isaka
Best Lekompo
- Janesh & Hitboss – Ngwanaka
- Kharishma, DJ Angelo, Buddy Sax & DJ Janisto – Wa inama
- Shandesh and Mvzzle – Sdudla or Slender
- Shebeshxt, Naqua SA; Zee Nxumalo & Slidoo Man – Rato Laka
- Mvzzle, Mawhoo, Natiey Lepaka & Janesh- Leskandi 2.0
Best Amapiano
- Sam Deep, Nia pearl, Boohle & Mano –Shela
- DJ Maphorisa, Xduppy, Kabza De Small, Thatohatsi, Young Stunna & Nkosazana Daughter- Abantwana Bakho
- DJ Maphorisa, Focalistic, Ricky Lenyora, Uncool MC, Mellow and Sleazy – Dlala ka yona
- Dj Jaivane, Smaki 08, Wesley Keys & de rose – Lutho
- Kabza De Small, Sykes, Young Stunna, Nkosazana, Tracy & Thatohatsi – Ngiyozama
Best Kwaito / Gqom
- Dladla Mshunqisi & Beast RSA- Puku Puku
- DJ Lag & Zee Nxumalo & KC Driller – Ngyasindelwa
- DJ Tira, Pcee, Campmasters & General C’mamane – Awungazi
- Kamo Mphela, Aymos, QUE DJ & Jay Music- Partii
- Bello B & We dem Boyz – Dubai
Best African Pop
- Lwah Ndlunkulu – Mnakwethu
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makhathini & Mbuso Khoza – You make me happy
- Naledi Aphiwe, Blcxkie, Lily Faith – Waiting for you
- Mawelele & Naledi Aphiwe – Buya Ekhaya
- Samthing Soweto – Deda
Best New Artist
- Shandesh
- Khadeair
- Kharishma
- Goon Flavour
- Nkeshemba
Artist of the Year
- Maphorisa
- Sam Deep
- Ciza
- Shandesh
- Zee Nxumalo
Best Duo or Group
- Thukuthela & Jazzwrld
- Dladla Mshunqisi & Beast RSA
- Inkabi Nation
- Focalistic & Ch’cco
- Major League DJs