Checkout Nominees for Metro FM Music Awards 2026

The nominees for this year’s Metro FM Music Awards 2026 was unveiled some moments ago. Touching on all genres that make up the South African music scene, this year’s edition is titled “Music Excellence.”

At this year’s awards, Zee Nxumalo received the most nominations, appearing in seven categories. These include Best Music Video, Best Styled Artist, Best Female Artist, Artist of the Year, Best Maskandi for her song “Sajola Kamnandi” featuring Simono Fu, Best Kwaito/Gqom for her single “Ngyasindelwa” with DJ Lag and KC Driller, and Best Lekompo for her chart-topping single “Rato Laka” featuring Shebeshxt, Naqua SA and Slidoo Man.

Sam Deep followed closely with six nominations in the categories of Best Collaboration, Song of the Year, Best Produced Album, Artist of the Year, Best Amapiano, and Best Male Artist.

Voting for your favourite artists and songs is now open. You can vote via USSD by dialling 12045787#. Please note that each SMS costs R1.50. You can also vote on the official website at www.metrofmmusicawards.co.za.

This year’s awards are sponsored by Lotto Star, Motsepe Foundation, VI Africa Fashion, Santam, Icebolethu, SAMRO, SABC, and the City of Durban.

LIST OF NOMINEES

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

• Jazzwrl’d & Thukuthela – Most Wanted

• Sam Deep, Stixx & Nvcho – Kings Of Kwapi

• Lwah Ndlunkulu – Amaciko

• Kabza De Small – Bab Motha

• Kelvin Momo – Thato Ya Modimo

BEST COLLABORATION

• Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle & Mano – Shela

• Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makhathini & Mbuso Khoza – You Make Me Happy

• Goon Flavour, Master KG & Eemoh – Ngishutheni

• Jazzwrl’d, Mawhoo, Thukuthela & GL_CeeJay – Uzizwa Kanjani

• Mawhoo, GL CeeJay, Jazzwrl’d & Thukuthela – Bengicela

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, Jazzwrl’d & Thukuthela – Bengicela

• Khadeair, Peekay Mzee & Kaytah – Magumba

• Mawhoo, Thukuthela & GL_CeeJay – Uzizwa Kanjani

• Shandesh & Mvzzle – Sdudla Or Slender

• Goon Flavour, Master KG & Eemoh – Ngishutheni

• Umfana Wasezolo – Uzongengwa Unyoko

• Ciza, Jazzwrl’d & Thukuthela – Isaka

BEST VIRAL CHALLENGE

• DJ Smallz, Zinedinex, Sguche:031 Choppa & Uncool MC – Zep

• Goon Flavour, Master KG & Eemoh – Ngishutheni

• Umfana Wasezolo, Master KG & Eemoh – Uyongengwa Unyoko

• Mluucian, Ricky Lenyora, DJ Maphorisa, Vulela, Maweekend, Mark Khoza & Angek’nemuye MC – Malacosta

• Shandesh & Mvzzle – Sdudla Or Slender

BEST FEMALE ARTIST

• Mawhoo

• Lordkez

• Zee Nxumalo

• Shandesh

• Lwah Ndlunkulu

BEST STYLED ARTIST

• Musa Keys

• K.O

• Dali Wonga

• Vusi Nova

• Zee Nxumalo

BEST R&B SONG

• Lordkez – Aweh

• Una Rams – Priceless Possession

• Naledi Aphiwe & Mawelele – Come Duze

• Lloyiso – Higher

• Dangerous

BEST MALE ARTIST

• Sam Deep

• Kabza De Small

• Maphorisa

• Ciza

• Kelvin Momo

BEST MASKANDI

• Umfana Wasezolo – Uzongengwa Unyoko

• Mzukulu, Intombi Yasolundi – Ubu Ghost Bami

• Siya Ntuli – Amaphiko

• Simono Fu & Zee Nxumalo – Sajola Kamnandi

• Khuzani – Umanikinikana

BEST LEKOMPO

• Kharishma, DJ Angelo, Buddy Sax & DJ Janisto – Wa Inama

• Shebeshxt, Naqua SA, Zee Nxumalo & Slidoo Man – Rato Laka

• Janesh & Hitboss – Ngwanaka

• Shandesh & Mvzzle – Sdudla Or Slender

• Mvzzle, Mawhoo, Natiey Lepaka & Janesh – Leskandi 2.0

BEST KWAITO / GQOM

• Dladla Mshunqisi & Beast RSA – Puku Puku

• DJ Tira, Pcee, Campmasters & General Cmamane – Awungazi

• Bello B & We Dem Boyz – Dubai

• DJ Lag, Zee Nxumalo & KC Driller – Ngyasindelwa

• Kamo Mphela, Aymos, Que DJ, Jay Musi & Space Ose – Partii

BEST AFRICAN POP

• Lwah Ndlunkulu – Mnakwethu

• Naledi Aphiwe, Blackie & Lily Faith – Waiting For You

• Samthing Soweto – Deda

• Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makhathini & Mbuso Khoza – You Make Me Happy

• Mawelele & Naledi Aphiwe – Buya Ekhaya

BEST NEW ARTIST

• Shandesh

• Kharishma

• Goon Flavour

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Maphorisa

• Ciza

• Zee Nxumalo

• Sam Deep

• Shandesh

BEST DUO OR GROUP

• Thukuthela & Jazzwrl’d

• Inkabi Nation

• Major League DJ’s

• Dladla Mshunqisi & Beast RSA

• Focalistic & Ch’cco

BEST AMAPIANO

• Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle & Mano – Shela

• DJ Maphorisa, Focalistic, Ricky Lenyora, Uncool MC, Mellow & Sleazy – Dlala Ka Yona

• Kabza De Small, Sykes, Young Stunna, Nkosazana, Tracy & Thatohatsi – Ngiyozama

• DJ Maphorisa, Xduppy, Kabza De Small, Thatohatsi, Young Stunna & Nkosazana Daughter – Abantwana Bakho

• DJ Jaivane, Smaki 08, Wesley Keys & De Rose – Lutho

BEST MUSIC VIDEO

• Zee Nxumalo – Skillz & Sykes

• Mamma – Lordkez

• Aweh – Ciza

• Jazzwrl’d & Thukuthela – Isaka

• Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makhathini & Mbuso Khoza – You Make Me Happy

• Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle & Mano – Shela