The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has revealed the contenders for the METRO FM Music Awards 2024, showcasing music singles and albums launched between February 28, 2023, and February 28, 2024. With over 1700 submissions across different categories, excitement brews around the nominees. Tyla, the internationally acclaimed singer and Grammy award recipient, takes the lead with six nominations for her track ‘Water’, vying for Song of the Year, Best Female Artist, Best Music Video, Best Viral Challenge, and Artist of the Year.

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Amapiano shines brightly, with Kabza the Small and Tyler ICU securing five nominations each. Kabza the Small’s nods span Best Produced Album, Best Collaboration, Song of the Year, and Best Amapiano for ‘Imithandazo’ featuring Mthunzi, also earning a Best Male Artist nomination. Tyler ICU’s recognitions encompass Best Collaboration, Song of the Year, Best Viral Challenge, and Best Amapiano for ‘Mnike’ featuring Tumelo, alongside an Artist of the Year nod. Inkabi Zezwe, Sjava, and Big Zulu clinch four notable nominations, including two for ‘Ukhamba’ in Best Produced Album and Best African Pop, along with a Best Collaboration mention for ‘Umbayi Mbayi’.

Ms Kina Nhlengethwa, METRO FM Business Manager said, “The METRO FM Music Awards serve as a celebration of the vibrant tapestry of South African music, where melodies become bridges that connect hearts and souls. It’s a platform where artists, both established and emerging, showcase their passion and talent, igniting a symphony of inspiration and creativity. Beyond the glitz and glamour, these awards embody the relentless pursuit of excellence and the unwavering dedication to craft.”

The theme for the 2024 awards, ‘Black To The Future’, underscores the accomplishments and influences of black artists in the industry, emphasizing excellence, creativity, and impact. The awards symbolize resilience and diversity, emphasizing music’s ability to transcend boundaries and unify people through its universal language.

Scheduled for April 27, 2024, at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga, the METRO FM Awards 2024 will be broadcast live on SABC1. The event is presented by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government in collaboration with the Motsepe Foundation, offering winners prizes ranging from R50,000 per category to R150,000 for Song of the Year, courtesy of the Motsepe Foundation, with additional sponsorship for the Best New Artist category by SANTAM.

Below is the full list of Nominees:

BEST GOSPEL ALBUM

• Ntokozo Mbambo – Lavish Worship
• Jumbo – Siyabonga.
• Hle – Take Heart.

BEST JAZZ ALBUM

• Amandla Freedom Ensemble – Oratorio Of A Forgotten Youth
• Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane – Izibongo
• Mbuso Khoza – Ifa Lomkhono
• Bokani Dyer – Radio Sechaba
• Vusi Mahlasela – Umoya: Embracing The Human Spirit

BEST PRODUCED ALBUM

• De Mthuda & Da Muziqal Chef – Sgudi Snyc
• Dlala Thukzin – Permanent Music 3
• Inkabi Zezwe – Ukhamba
• Kabza De small & Mthunzi – Isimo
• Kelvin Momo – Kurhula

BEST COLLABORATION

• DJ KENT – Horns in the sun (Thakzin remix) ft Thakzin; Brenden Praise; Mo T; Morda
• Kabza De small &Mthunzi – Imithandazo ft dj Maphorisa; Young stunna; Sizwe Alakine; Umthakathi Kush
• Inkabi Zezwe – Umbayimbayi
• Tyler ICU – Mnike ft Tumelo ZA, Dj Maphorisa: Nandipha808; CeekaRSA; Tyrondee
• Mellow & Sleazy – Imnandi Lento ft Tman Xpress; SjavasDaDj; TitoM

SONG OF THE YEAR

• Oscar Mbo & KG Smallz – Yes God ft. Dearson, Morda, Mhaw keys (Mhaw keys remix)
• DJ KENT – Horns in the sun ft MoT; Brenden Praise; Morda; Thakzin (Thakzin remix)
• Kamo Mphela –Dalie ft Baby S.O.N, Tyler ICU & Khalil Harrison
• Tyla – Water
• Kabza De small & Mthunzi – Imithandazo ft dj Maphorisa: Young stunna; Sizwe Alkaline; Umthakathi Kush
• Dlala Thukzin – iPlan ft Zaba & Sykes
• Tyler ICU – Mnike ft Dj Maphorisa: Nandipha808; CeekaRSA;Tyrondee
• Bassie & Aymos – Izenzo Ft. T-Man SA
• De Mthuda & Da Muziqal Chef – Sgudi Snyc ft Eemoh & Sipho Magudulela
• DJ Stokie – Masithokoze ft Eemoh

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Tyla
• Oscar Mbo
• Tyler ICU
• Morda
• Lwah Ndlunkulu

BEST VIRAL CHALLENGE

• Tyler ICU – Mnike ft Tumelo ZA, Dj Maphorisa: Nandipha808; CeekaRSA; Tyrondee
• Tyla – Water
• Kamo Mphela – Dalie ft Baby S.O.N, Tyler ICU & Khalil Harrison
• TitoM & Yuppe – Tshwala Bam ft S.N.E & EeQue
• Tebza De Dj – Ka Valungu ft. DJ Nomza The King

BEST NEW ARTIST

• Harry Cane
• Nontokozo Mkhize
• Sykes
• Robin Fassie
• Shakes & Les

BEST DUO/GROUP

• De Mthuda & Da Muziqal Chef
• Inkabi Zezwe
• Mellow & Sleazy
• Tito M & Yuppe
• Thee Legacy

BEST DANCE

• DJ KENT – Horns in the sun ft MoT; Brenden Praise; Morda; Thakzin (Thakzin remix)
• Dlala Thukzin – iPlan ft Zaba & Sykes
• Heavy-K – Ulele ft Samthing Soweto, Thakzin & Professor
• MORDA – Burning Bush ft. Thakzin & Ihhashi Elimhlophe
• Zakes Bantwini – Mama Thula ft Skye Wanda, Thakzin & Suffocate SA

BEST KWAITO/GQOM

• DJ Kotin – Hello ft Big Nuz, Mshayi & Mr Thela
• DJ Lag & Mr Nation Thingz – Hade Boss ft K.C Driller
• SYKES – Sisestyleni Babies ft Skillz & RudeBoyz

BEST HIP HOP

• Cassper Nyovest – 018 ft. Maglera Doe Boy
• Nasty C – Prosper In Peace ft Benny The Butcher
• Khuli Chana – Khuliyano
• DA LES – Solo ft Manu World Star, Gemini Major, & NAVIO
• A-REECE – Ving Rhames

BEST AFRICAN POP

• Inkabi Zezwe – Ukhamba
• Lwa Ndlunkulu – Imizwa
• Nomfundo Moh – Ugcobo
• Zonke – Embo
• Bongeziwe Mabandla – Amaxesha

BEST AMAPIANO

• De Mthuda & Da Muziqal Chef – Sgudi Snyc ft Eemoh & Sipho Magudulela
• Mellow & Sleazy –  – Imnandi Lento ft Tman Xpress; SjavasDaDj; TitoM
• Kabza De small & Mthunzi – Imithandazo ft dj Maphorisa; Young stunna; Sizwe Alakine; Umthakathi Kush
• Tyler ICU – Mnike ft Tumelo ZA, Dj Maphorisa: Nandipha808; CeekaRSA; Tyrondee
• DJ Stokie – Awukhuzeki ft. Omit ST, Sobzeen, Zee_nhle

BEST MUSIC VIDEO

• De Mthuda & Da Muziqal Chef – Sgudi Snyc ft Eemoh & Sipho Magudulela
• Tyla – Water
• Kamo Mphela – Dalie ft Baby S.O.N, Tyler ICU & Khalil Harrison
• Mthandazo Gatya – IN 2 U
• Bassie & Aymos- Izenzo Ft. T-Man SA

BEST MALE

• Aymos
• De Mthuda
• Kelvin Momo
• Morda
• Kabza de Small

BEST STYLED

• Zakes Bantwini
• Morda
• Dbn Gogo
• Musa Keys
• Oscar Mbo

BEST R&B

• Filah Lah Lah – Call Me
• Nanette & Blxckie – Talk 2 Me ft. BGRZ
• Tyla – Water
• Mthandazo Gatya – IN 2 U
• Nontokozo Mkhize – Lu Strong ft Nomfundo Moh

BEST FEMALE

• Kamo Mphela
• Ntokozo Mbambo
• Tyla
• Makhadzi
• Lwah Ndlunkulu