Sam Deep

Metro FM Music Awards 2026 Nominees Revealed: Full List, Categories and Key Highlights

ByWIKIBIO

The Metro FM Music Awards 2026 nominees have officially been unveiled at a glamorous launch event held at The Forum in Hyde Park, Johannesburg. The star-studded evening brought together some of South Africa’s biggest names in music, fashion and entertainment, setting the tone for one of the most anticipated nights on the local music calendar.

Winners will be announced on 25 April 2026, with fans eagerly waiting to see which artists will take home the prestigious trophies.

Below is the full list of Metro FM Music Awards 2026 nominees across all categories.

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

Metro FM Music Awards 2026: What to Expect

The 2026 edition highlights the continued dominance of Amapiano, the strength of South African collaborations, and the rise of viral digital culture influencing music success.

With heavyweight nominees such as DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, Sam Deep, Mawhoo and Zee Nxumalo competing across multiple categories, the competition is fierce.

Fans can expect electrifying performances, unforgettable fashion moments and major surprises when winners are revealed on April 25.

The countdown to the Metro FM Music Awards 2026 has officially begun.

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