The nominations for the 2026 edition of the METRO FM Music Awards have officially dropped, with hitmaking duo Jazzwrld and Thukuthela emerging as the most nominated artists this year, setting the tone for what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive awards seasons in recent memory.
Unveiled at a nominees celebration in Hyde Park, the full list spans 21 categories and more than 100 artists, reflecting a music scene that continues to evolve at lightning speed. From amapiano heavyweights to genre-bending newcomers, the nominations spotlight both cultural impact and chart dominance across the board.
This year also sees the introduction of two new categories, Best Maskandi and Best Lekompo, signalling a continued effort to recognise the full spectrum of South African sound. First-time nominees, including Karishma, Goon Flavour, and Nkesh, join a strong field of returning contenders, while artists like Mawhoo, Sam Deep, Kabza De Small, and Zee Nxumalo appear repeatedly across major categories.
The ceremony will take place on 25 April 2026 at the Durban ICC, where the industry’s biggest names will gather to celebrate another year of defining music moments.
Below is the full list of nominees:
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