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The 2026 METRO FM Music Awards nominees have been announced, revealing a shifting South African awards landscape. Producers Jazzwrld and Thukuthela lead the pack with seven nominations. This year’s 21 categories also introduce Best Maskandi and Best Lekompo, officially recognizing regional sounds on the national stage. The main awards ceremony will take place on 25 April 2026.
Key Highlights
- Event: 2026 METRO FM Music Awards
- Date: Saturday, 25 April 2026
- Time: To Be Confirmed (Broadcast details pending)
- Location: Durban ICC Centre, KwaZulu-Natal
- Voting: Open now via http://www.metrofm.co.za
Jazzwrld And Thukuthela Dominate The 2026 METRO FM Music Awards Nominations
The nominations for the 2026 METRO FM Music Awards have officially dropped, offering a clear snapshot of where South African music is right now. Announced on Thursday at The Forum in Hyde Park, the list of over 100 artists across 21 categories highlights a distinct trend: 3Step was running the game in 2025.
Leading this year’s pack are production duo Jazzwrld and Thukuthela, pulling in an impressive seven nominations. Their names dominate the heavier categories, showing up in Song of the Year, Best Produced Album, and Best Dance. Right behind them are established hitmakers like Kabza De Small, Sam Deep, and Mawhoo, all securing multiple nods and cementing Amapiano’s continued grip on the mainstream.
Expanding The Categories
Perhaps the most notable takeaway from the announcement is the expansion of the categories themselves. For the first time, METRO FM has introduced Best Maskandi and Best Lekompo.
This is a significant cultural update. Maskandi’s traditional Zulu folk sound has always pulled massive numbers, while Lekompo has exploded out of Limpopo. By creating dedicated space for these sounds, the awards are opening the floor to a new wave of talent, resulting in first-time nominations for artists like Kharishma, Goon Flavour, and Nkesh.
The Road To Durban
The main event is set to take place at the Durban ICC on Saturday, 25 April 2026, hosted by the City of eThekwini. The awards are backed by major partners, with the Motsepe Foundation sponsoring Song of the Yearand Lifetime Achievement, African Fashion International (AFI) backing Best Styled, and Santam supporting the Best Kwaito/Gqom category. With public voting now open via the METRO FM website, the race for April is officially on.
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 and Nvcho – Kings of kwapi
- Kelvin Momo – Thato ya modimo
- Lwah Ndlunkulu – Amaciko
Best Collaboration
- Sam Deep, Nia pearl, Boohle and Mano – Shela
- Jazzwrld, Mawhoo, Thukuthela and Gl_ceejay – Uzizwa Kanjani
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makhathini & Mbuso Khoza – You make me happy
- Mawhoo, Gl ceejay, Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – Bengicela
- Goon fFavour, Master kKG& 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 and 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 and 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 Possesion
- Naledi Aphiwe and Mawelele- Come Duze
- Lloyiso – Higher
- Langa Mavuso – Dangerous
Best Maskandi
- Umafikizolo – Uzoncengwa Unyoko
- Simonofu and 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 – Cl_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 and 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 and 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, Blcxkie, 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
- 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
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