The nominees for the Metro FM Music Awards were unveiled in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, uniting artists, government representatives, sponsors, and media to commemorate the occasion.
Smash Afrika and Lamiez Holworthy had the role of hosting the event. Following speeches from key stakeholders that extended longer than some anticipated, the nominees were announced.
Popular artists Zee Nxumalo and MaWhoo took the stage, energizing the audience with their performances.
The 2026 Metro FM Music Awards are set to take place in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on April 26.
Zee Nxumalo leads the nominations alongside music producer Sam Deep, each receiving seven nods.
Nxumalo discussed her mixed feelings about the nominations with IOL, expressing gratitude for the recognition but also reflecting on past disappointments associated with awards.
MaWhoo garnered five nominations for her successful collaborations with Jazzworx and Thukuthela, expressing her gratitude for the acknowledgment and encouraging further partnerships.
“Competition is all over, don’t hate a person because people are comparing. Just work. We are all talented, no one can replace you, just know that you have your own shine, I have my own shine.”
Ciza has transitioned from a newcomer to an established artist. The “Isaka” creator first made his mark at the Metro FM Music Awards in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, where he also performed at the after-party. He now celebrates five nominations. “A year later and five nominations because of you (supporters) and God,” he stated.
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 and Boohle – “Shela”
- Jazzworx, Mawhoo & Thukuthela – “Uzizwa Kanjani”
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makhathini and Mbuso Khoza – “You Make Me Happy”
- Mawhoo Ft Jazzworx & Thukuthela – “Bengicela”
- Goon Flavour, Master Kg and Eemoh – “Ngishutheni”
Song Of The Year
- Sam Deep, Nia Pearl and Boohle – “Shela”
- Dj Smallz – “Zep”
- Dj Maphorisa – “Abantwana Bakho”
- Mawhoo – “Bengicela”
- Khadeir – “Magumba”
- Jazzworx, Thukuthela and Mawhoo – “Uzizwa Kanjani”
- Shandesh – “Sdudla Or Slender”
- Goon Flavour and 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 and Thukuthela – “Uzizwa Kanjani”
- Sam Deep – “Shela”
- Ciza – “Isaka”
- Shandesh – “Sdudla or 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 and Beast Rsa – “Puku Puku”
- Big Zulu Ft Emtee – “Abazazi Bafunani”
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo – “You Make Me Happy”
- Goon Flavour, Master Kg and 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 and Babalwa M – “Uvalo”
- Jazzworx, Thukuthela and 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 and 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
