THE nominees for the 19th edition of the Metro FM awards, have been revealed.
According to the organisers, it confirmed 2,769 entries across 19 categories, an increase from the year 2024 with 1,700 entries.
AmaPiano lead the pack, with Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, and Scotts Maphuma topping the list with four (4) nominations each.
iNkabi Nation’s Sjava follows closely with three (3) nominations, while Hip hop stars Kwesta and Cassper Nyovest also secured three (3) nominations each, respectively.
As the main sponsor, the Motsepe Foundation will hand out R50,000 to each category winner, and a whooping R150,000 to the Song of the Year winner.
The nominees ceremony was held at Galleria, Sandton on Thursday evening, that saw artists and guests dressed to the nines.
The 2025 theme is “Crowning Greatness”. “Crowning Greatness”, elevates the achievements of those who shape the South African cultural narrative. It is a celebration of Black Royalty – a night where hits are not only celebrated but become timeless pieces of our shared legacy.
Honouring the fact that the evening is more than an award show; it’s a coronation, where artists are crowned as cultural icons, and their contributions are immortalized.
The Metro FM awards will be held on May 3, at the Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit.
This will be the last edition of the awards to be held in Mpumalanga.
Herewith full list of nominees:
Best Female Artist
| 1. Xolly Mncwango |
| 2. Dbn Gogo |
| 3. Babalwa M |
| 4. Nontokozo Mkhize |
| 5. Makhadzi |
Best RnB Song
| 1. Shekhinah ft. Moliy | Risk |
| 2. Mawelele & Kwesta | All My Life |
| 3. Elaine | Love Me Slowly |
| 4. Langa Mavuso | Best Friend (Control) |
| 5. Nanette, Tellaman & Nasty C | Tonight |
Best Dance Song
| 1. Casswell P & Nobuhle | Can’t Get |
| 2. Dlala Thukzin feat. Zeh McGeba, MK Productions | Sohlala Sisonke |
| 3. Chronical Deep, Leehleza, Kabza De Small ft. Latique, Ezra | Hayi Baba |
| 4. Oscar Mbo and Jazzworx Feat. Thukuthela | Vuka |
| 5. CAIIRO ft Ami Faku | Ndisize |
Best Styled Artist
| 1.MaWhoo |
| 2. Focalistic |
| 3. Morda |
| 4. Dbn Gogo |
| 5. Oscar Mbo |
Best Kwaito/Gqom Song
| 1. Funky Qla, Argento Dust & Maline Aura | Utshwala |
| 2. Mr Thela, Beast RSA, Mthandazo Gatya & Zanda Zakuza | Ekhaya |
| 3. Goldmax, Dlala Thukzin & Funky Qla ft Zee Nxumalo & Beast RSA | FOMO |
| 4. DJ Tira Feat. AmaTycooler, Big Nuz & Focus Magazi | Singenzenjani |
| 5. Goldmax & Blacks Jnr feat. Leemckrazy | Ama Weekend |
Best Jazz Album
| 1. Nduduzo Makhathini | uNomkhubulwane |
| 2. Thandiswa Mazwai | Sankofa |
| 3. Linda Sikhakhane | iLadi |
| 4. Nomfundo Xaluva | Ndilapha |
| 5. Sydney Mavundla | Dirge for our fathers |
Best Music Video
| 1. WOODBLOCK DJS ft Buzzi Lee, Kane Keid, Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta, Tony Dayimane, Mvelost, Set Off, Somololo | Skuta Baba (Remix) |
| 2. CAIIRO ft Ami Faku | Ndisize |
| 3. Usimamane & Sjava | Uvalo |
| 4. Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza ft. TmanXpress, LeemcKrazy | Kwelanga 2.0 |
| 5. Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka x Focalistic x Dj Maphorisa x Scotts Maphuma x CowBoii | BIRI MARUNG |
Best Viral Challenge
| 1. Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka x Focalistic x Dj Maphorisa x Scotts Maphuma x CowBoii | BIRI MARUNG |
| 2. Kabza De Small & Vigro Deep feat. Scotts Maphuma & Young Stunna | Wishi Wishi |
| 3. WOODBLOCK DJS – Mvelost; Set Off; Somololo | Skuta Baba |
| 4. Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma & ThabzaTee feat. DJ Maphorisa & Djy Biza | Yebo Lapho (Gogo) |
| 5. KMAT Feat. CowBoii, djygubzin.live & Ranger | MKK |
Best Produced Album
| 1. Nontokozo Mkhize | Lindiwe |
| 2. Dlala Thukzin | Finally Famous Too |
| 3. Emtee | DIY 3 |
| 4. Kelvin Momo | Ntsako |
| 5. Thandiswa Mazwai | Sankofa |
Best New Artist
| 1.Mawelele |
| 2.Phila Koshin |
| 3.NEO DUBE |
Best Collaboration Song
| 1. Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma, Thabza Tee ft. DJ Maphorisa, Djy Biza | Yebo Lapho (Gogo) |
| 2. Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka x Focalistic x Dj Maphorisa x Scotts Maphuma x CowBoii | Biri Marung |
| 3. Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza ft. TmanXpress, LeemcKrazy | Kwelanga 2.0 |
| 4. Woodblock DJs ft. Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta & Kane Keid | SKUTA BABA (Remix) |
| 5. Kabza De Small, Vigro Deep & Dj Maphorisa feat. Scotts Maphuma; Young Stunna | Wishi Wishi |
Artist of The Year
| 1. Tyler ICU |
| 2. Kabza de Small |
| 3. Morda |
| 4. Makhadzi |
| 5. Kelvin Momo |
Song of the Year
| 1. Blaq Major Ft. Bless The Gentleman & Dj Kap – | Sdakiwe Sbali |
| 2. Makhadzi; Prince Benza; Iyanya | Number 1 |
| 3. WOODBLOCK DJS ft Buzzi Lee, Kane Keid, Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta, Tony Dayimane. | SKUTA BABA Remix |
| 4. Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma & ThabzaTee feat. DJ Maphorisa & Djy Biza | Yebo Lapho (Gogo) |
| 5. Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza ft. TmanXpress, LeemcKrazy | Kwelanga 2.0 |
| 6. Caiiro ft Ami Faku | Ndisize |
| 7. Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka x Focalistic x Dj Maphorisa x Scotts Maphuma x CowBoii | BIRI MARUNG |
| 8. Shakes & Les feat. LeeMcKrazy | Funk 99 |
| 9. Kabza De Small & Vigro Deep feat. Scotts Maphuma & Young Stunna | Wishi Wishi |
| 10. KMAT feat. CowBoii , djygubzin.live & Ranger | MKK |
Best Amapiano Song
| 1. Dj Stokie – Zee_nhle; Sobzeen;Faith Strings | Selimathunzi |
| 2. Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma & ThabzaTee feat. DJ Maphorisa & Djy Biza | Yebo Lapho (Gogo) |
| 3. Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza ft. TmanXpress, LeemcKrazy | Kwe langa 2.0 |
| 4. Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka x Focalistic x Dj Maphorisa x Scotts Maphuma x CowBoii | Biri Marung |
| 5. Blaq Major – Bless the General; Dj Kap | Sdakiwe sbali |
Best Hip Hop Song
| 1. K.O ft. Maglera Doe Boy | Let Me Cook |
| 2. Usimamane & Sjava | Uvalo |
| 3. Emtee | WAR |
| 4. SKHANDAWORLD, K.O & Nasty C | Too Much |
| 5. Tony Dayimane, Usimamane, Kwesta & Yanga Chief | Wishlist |
Best Duo/Group
| 1. Wanitwa mos & Nkosazana Daughter |
| 2. Shakes & Les |
| 3. Black Motion |
| 4. Blaq Diamond |
| 5. Artwork Sounds |
Best African Pop Song
| 1. Nomfundo Moh ft. Msaki, Cassper Nyovest | Umusa |
| 2. Blaq Diamond | Piki Piki |
| 3. Naledi Aphiwe & Mawelele | Romeo & Juliet |
| 4. Sjava & The Qwellers ft. Sastii, LaCabra, Lowfeye & Blue Papi | Typhoon |
| 5. Mlindo The Vocalist & Dj Maphorisa ft. Tman xpress; Phila Dlozi | Umdali |
Best Gospel Album
| 1. Nontokozo Mkhize | Lindiwe |
| 2. SbuNoah | Heavenly Psalms Level 2 |
| 3. Xolly Mncwango | Unusual |
| 4. Ayanda Ntanzi | According to Grace, A One Man Show |
| 5. Mmuso Worship | Jesus to the city V2 |
Best Male Artist
| 1. Usimamane |
| 2. Dlala Thukzin |
| 3. Kabza de Small |
| 4. Kelvin Momo |
| 5. Tyler ICU |
To vote for your favourite artist(s) dial *120*45787# & follow the prompt. #MMA24 #METROFMMusicAwards2025
Image SLM (Lights. Action. Guests were entertained by the likes of Nkosazana Daughter at the Metro FM awards nominees reveal on Thursday evening at Galleria, Sandton).
