TIME to dust off that attire and put your best for forward as Metro FM awards 2026, takes-over eThekweni, AGAIN.
Celebrating its 2Oth edition, the MMAs return to Durban on April 25, at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Center.
It will be hosted in the City for the next three years’ to the value of R60m.
At the nominees reveal last week in Jozi, two new categories were introduced: Best Lekompo Best Maskandi, growing the nomination list to 21 categories, the first in the history of music awards in this country, whose this year’s theme is: music xcellence!
SA’s chart-topper Zee Nxumalo (she gave guests a sneak preview what to expect at the awards) lead the pack with more nominations, followed by Thukuthela, Jazzwrld and Sam Deep.
These awards celebrate the breadth of SA music, says Kina Nhlengethwa, Metro FM business manager.
“These nominations reflect the vibrant diversity of our music landscape. It’s a testament to the creativity and talent of our artists, and we’re excited to honour their achievements,” remarked Nhlengethwa, excitedly.
Durban Mayor- Cyril Xaba says:” Durban is proud to host the METRO FM awards for the next three- years’. This event highlights our city as a hub of creativity and culture, positioning us as an ideal tourism and events destination.”
Mpumalanga played host to the awards from 2023 to 2025.
MMA26 Nominees
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 JAZZ ALBUM
- MANDISI DYANTYIS – INTLAMBULULO: UKUHLAMBULULA
- JUDITH SEPHUMA – WHEN THE WINTER FADES
- ANDILE YENANA – WAY OUT IS IN
- BENJAMIN JEPTHA – HOMECOMING REVISTED
- SIPHAMANDLA ‘PARAS’ DLAMINI – INGOMA BUSUKU
BEST PRODUCED ALBUM
- JAZZWORX & THUKUJTHELA – MOST WANTED
- KABZA DE SMALL – BAB MOTHA
- SAM DEEP – KINGS OF KWAPI
- KELVIN MOMO – THATO YA MODIMO
- LWAH NDLUNKULU – AMACIKO
BEST COLLABORATION
- SAM DEEP, NIA PEARL & BOOHLE – SHELA
- JAZZWORX, MAWHOO & THUKUTHELA – UZIZWA KANJANI
- LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO, NDUDUZO MAKHATHINI & MBUSO KHOZA – YOU MAKE ME HAPPY
- MAWHOO FT JAZZWORX & THUKUTHELA – BENGICELA
- GOON FLAVOUR, MASTER KG & EEMOH – NGISHUTHENI
SONG OF THE YEAR
- SAM DEEP, NIA PEARL & BOOHLE – SHELA
- DJ SMALLZ – ZEP
- DJ MAPHORISA – ABANTWANA BAKHO
- MAWHOO – BENGICELA
- KHADEIR – MAGUMBA
- JAZZWORX, THUKUTHELA & MAWHOO – UZIZWA KANJANI
- SHANDESH – SDUDLA OR SLENDER
- GOON FLAVOUR & MASTER KG – NGISHUTHENI
- UMAFIKIZOLO – UZONCENGWA UNYOKO
- CIZA – ISAKA
BEST VIRAL CHALLENGE
- DJ SMALLZ – ZEP
- MLUUCISIAN – MALACOSTA
- GOON FLAVOUR – NGISHUTHENI
- SHANDESH – SDUDLA OR SLENDER
- UMAFIKIZOLO – UYONCENGWA UNYOKO
BEST FEMALE
- MAWHOO
- LORDKEZ
- ZEE NXUMALO
- SHANDESH
- LWA NDLUNKULU
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- JAZZWORLD & THUKUTHELA – UZIZWA KANJANI
- SAM DEEP – SHELA
- CIZA – ISAKA
- SHANDESH – SDUDLA / SLENDER
- ZEE NXUMALO – MAMMA
BEST STYLED
- MUSA KEYS
- DALI WONGA
- K.O
- VUSI NOVA
- ZEE NXUMALO
BEST DUO / GROUP
- Thukuthela & Jazzworx – UZIZWA KANJANI
- Dladla Mshunqisi & Beast RSA – PUKU PUKU
- Big Zulu ft Emtee – Abazazi Bafunani
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo – You Make Me Happy
- Goon Flavour, Master KG & Eemoh – NGISHUTHENI
BEST R&B SONG
- LORDKEZ – AWEH
- MANANA – LITTLE THINGS
- NALEDI APHIWE – COME DUZE
- LLOYISO – HIGH/HIGHER
- LANGA MAVUSO – DANGEROUS
BEST MASKANDI
- UMAFIKIZOLO – UZONCENGWA UNYOKO
- SIMONOFU – SAJOLA KAMNANDI
- MZUKULU – UBU GHOST BAMI
- KHUZANI – UMANIKINIKANA
- SIYA NTULI – AMAPHIKO
BEST MALE
- SAM DEEP
- CIZA
- KABZA DE SMAL
- KELVIN MOMO
- MAPHORISA
BEST HIP HOP
- STOGIE T – FOUR HORSEMAN
- YANGA CHIEF – WHAT IF
- BIG ZULU – ABAZAZI BAFUNANI
- MAKWA FT KWESTA – UMGUZUMBANE WE SUMMER
- K.O – SUPA NOVA
BEST DANCE
- MAWHOO – BENGICELA
- KHADIER – MAGUMBA
- CIZA – ISAKA
- JAZZWORX, THUKUTHELA & MAWHOO – UVALO
- JAZZWORX, THUKUTHELA & MAWHOO – UZIZWA KANJANI
BEST MUSIC VIDEO
- ZEE NXUMALO – MAMMA
- LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO – YOU MAKE ME HAPPY
- LORDKEZ – AWEH
- SAM DEEP – SHELA
- CIZA – ISAKA
BEST LEKOMPO
- JANESH – NGWANAKA
- KHARISHMA – WA INAMA
- SHANDESH – SDUDLA OR SLENDER
- SHEBESHXT – RATO LAKA
- MVZZLE – LESKANDI 2.0
BEST AMAPIANO
- SAM DEEP – SHELA
- DJ MAPHORISA – ABANTWANA BAKHO
- DJ MAPHORISA – DLALA KA YONA
- DJ JAIVANE – LUTHO
- KABZA DE SMALL – NGIYOZAMA
BEST KWAITO / GQOM
- Dladla Mshunqisi & Beast RSA – Puku Puku
- DJ Lag – NgyaSindelwa
- DJ Tira – Awungazi
- Kamo Mphela – Partii
- Bello B – Dubai
BEST JAZZ ALBUM
- MANDISI DYANTYIS – AMYOLI
- JUDITH SEPHUMA – BACK 2 LOVE
- ANDILE YENANA – WAY OUT IS IN
- BENJAMIN JEPTHA – THE BLESSINGS
- PARAS SIBALIKHULU DLAMINI – ISIWELELE
BEST AFRICAN POP
- LWAH NDLUNKULU – AMACIKO
- LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO – YOU MAKE ME HAPPY
- NALEDI APHIWE – WAITING FOR YOU
- MAWELELE – BUYA EKHAYA
- SAMTHING SOWETO – DEDA
BEST NEW ARTIST
- SHANDESH
- KHADEIR
- KHARISHMA
- GOON FLAVOUR
- NKESHEMBA
The awards are backed by the Motsepe Foundation, which sponsors the Song of the Year and Lifetime Achievement awards, respectively.
African Fashion International supports the Best Styled category.
Santam sponsors Best Kwaito/Gqom.
Other sponsors includes Icebuletho Group, Samro, and LottoStar.
Voting is open on the Metro FM website.
Image supplied (Nominee Zee Nxumalo gave a resounding performance at the MMA’s nominees reveal held at The Forum- Hyde Park).
