The long-awaited Metro FM Music Awards 2026 were finally held yesterday, Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Durban ICC.
The awards night honoured music icons who have helped make the South African music scene one of the most influential on the African continent, sharing a similar level of influence with Nigeria’s. It also celebrated and elevated rising talents. The event featured representation from all genres shaping the music scene, including newer sounds like 3Step.
In fact, the new sound, 3Step, dominated several categories, with sub-house genres prominent stars such as Jazzworx and Thukuthela winning awards in three categories: Best Duo or Group, Best Produced Album for their debut project Most Wanted, and Best Dance for their single Uzizwa Kanjani.
The Metro FM Music Awards 2026 were mainly sponsored by the Motsepe Foundation, with additional sponsorship from LottoStar, Santam, Hyundai, SAMRO, SABC, Africa Fashion International, and others.
Metro FM Music Awards 2026 – Winners List
Best New Artist
Kharishma (Winner)
Best Jazz Album
Paras “Sibalukhulu” Dlamini – Ingoma Busuku (Winner)
Best R&B Song
Una Rams – Priceless Possession (Winner)
Best Kwaito/Gqom
DJ Tira, Pcee, Campmasters & General C’Manane – Awungazi (Winner)
Best Gospel Album
Musa Yende – Sustained by Grace (Winner)
Best Styled Artist
Musa Keys (Winner)
Best Music Video
Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle & Mano – Shela (Winner)
Best Hip Hop
Stogie T, Nasty C, Maggz & A-Reece – Four Horsemen (Winner)
Best Female Artist
Shandesh (Winner)
Best Male Artist
Ciza (Winner)
Best Maskandi
Khuzani – Umanikinikana (Winner)
Global Icon Award
Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Winner)
Lifetime Achievement Award
Ihashi Elimhlophe (Winner)
Best New Artist
Kharishma (Winner)
Best Jazz Album
Paras “Sibalukhulu” Dlamini – Ingoma Busuku (Winner)
Best R&B Song
Una Rams – Priceless Possession (Winner)
Best Kwaito/Gqom
DJ Tira, Pcee, Campmasters & General C’Manane – Awungazi (Winner)
Best Gospel Album
Musa Yende – Sustained by Grace (Winner)
Best Styled Artist
Musa Keys (Winner)
Best Music Video
Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle & Mano – Shela (Winner)
Best Hip Hop
Stogie T, Nasty C, Maggz & A-Reece – Four Horsemen (Winner)
Best Female Artist
Shandesh (Winner)
Best Male Artist
Ciza (Winner)
Best Maskandi
Khuzani – Umanikinikana (Winner)
Best Lekombo
Kharishma, DJ Angelo, Buddy Sax & DJ Janisto – Wa Inama (Winner)
Best Amapiano
Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle & Mano – Shela (Winner)
Best Viral Challenge
Goon Flavour, Master KG & Eemoh – Ngishutheni (Winner)
Best Duo or Group
Jazzwrld & Thukuthela (Winner)
Best Collaboration Song
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makhathini & Mbuso Khoza – You Make Me Happy (Winner)
Best Produced Album
Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – Most Wanted (Winner)
Best African Pop
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makhathini & Mbuso Khoza – You Make Me Happy (Winner)
Best Dance
Jazzwrld & Thukuthela, Mawhoo, GL_Ceejay – Uzizwa Kanjani (Winner)
Song of the Year
Umafikizolo – Uzoncengwa Unyoko (Winner)
Artist of the Year
Ciza (Winner)
Long Service Award
Wilson B Nkosi (Winner)
Global Icon Award
Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Winner)
Lifetime Achievement Award
Ihashi Elimhlophe (Winner)
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