[FULL LIST]: 2026 Metro FM Music Awards Nominees

The 2026 Metro FM Music Awards are set to be hosted on the 25th of April at the Durban ICC in KZN. The station has also announced that media personalities Lerato Kganyago and Lawrence Maleka will be this years hosts.

Fans have until 19th April to cast their votes for their favourite artist. Below is a full list of the 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

• Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – ‘Most wanted’
• Kabza De Small – ‘Bab Motha’
• Sam Deep, Stixx & Nvcho – ‘Kings of kwapi’
• Kelvin Momo – ‘Thato ya modimo’
• Lwah Ndlunkulu – ‘Amaciko’

Best Collaboration

• Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle & Mano – ‘Shela’
• Jazzwrld, Mawhoo, Thukuthela & Gl_ceejay – ‘Uzizwa Kanjani’
• Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makhathini & Mbuso Khoza – ‘You make me happy’
• Mawhoo, Gl_ceejay, Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – ‘Bengicela’
• Goon Flavour, Master KG & 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 & 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 & 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 Possession’
• Naledi Aphiwe & Mawelele – ‘Come Duze’
• Lloyiso – ‘Higher’
• Langa Mavuso – ‘Dangerous’

Best Maskandi

• Umafikizolo – ‘Uzoncengwa Unyoko’
• Simonofu & 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, Gl_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 & 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 & 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, Blxckie & 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

• DJ 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

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