Metro FM Music Awards Nominees Announced for Ethekwini Take Over

The nominees for the 2026 Metro FM Music Awards have been announced, the showcase will take place from the 22nd to the 26th of April. Durban will be buzzing with massive activations and pre and after parties sure to boost the ethekwini municipality. A total of 21 categories and over 100 artists are under consideration this year, showcasing the vibrant and ever-evolving SA music industry and the diverse talent across all genres.

This year, two new categories have been added: Best Maskandi, celebrating traditional Zulu folk music, and Best Lekompo, fusing African traditional sounds with contemporary pop and electronic elements.

This brings a diverse mix of talent, with Karishma, Goon Flavour, and Nkesh emerging as first-time nominees. Mawhoo, Sam Deep, Kabza De Small, Jazzwrld, and Thukuthela received multiple nominations. Jazzwrld and Thukuthela lead with 7 nominations each.

The METRO FM Music Awards 2026 sponsored by The Motsepe Foundation, will take place at the Durban ICC centre on Saturday 25 April 2026. People can vote for their favourite nominees on www.metrofm.co.za

The Motsepe Foundation is sponsoring the Song of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement award and African Fashion International (AFI) is supporting the Best Styled category. Santam, remains a proud supporter of the Best Kwaito/Gqom.

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