PICTURE: INSTAGRAM/ MAWHOO
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal gears up to host the Metro FM Music Awards for the next three years, starting with the 2026 edition.
This follows a successful three-year run in Mpumalanga from 2023 to 2025. Musician from KwaZulu-Natal bagged 31 nominations at the Metro FM Music Awards reveal evening held in Johannesburg on Thursday, February 26. The awards will take place at the Durban ICC on Saturday 25 April 2026.
Also see: TKZee and Rebecca Malope scoop Lifetime Achievement Award at Metro FM Awards
SABC Group Executive for Radio, Nada Wotshela says, “We’re thrilled to bring the Metro FM Music Awards back to South Africa’s favourite playground, Durban in 2026. We’re excited to celebrate South African music talent in eThekwini, a city known for its exceptional music and entertainment scene, as well as a rich cultural tapestry.”
Two new categories were added to this year’s line-up of awards – Maskandi, recognising the traditional Zulu music genre and Lekompo, recognising Limpopo’s popular modern dance genre.
Here is a full list of the nominees for the Metro FM Music Awards 2026:
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
Also see: Mr Thela bags Best Kwaito/Gqom Award at Metro FM Awards
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
Watch:
Also see: Top winners at Metro FM Awards
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp channel for content worth tapping into. Click here to join!