METRO FM MUSIC AWARDS 2025 NOMINEES: AMAPIANO REIGNS SUPREME

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AMAPIANO ARTISTS LEADING THE NOMINATIONS

Kabza De Small often hailed as the “King of Amapiano,” has been a pivotal figure in the genre’s rise. His collaborative track “Imithandazo” with Mthunzi, featuring DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine, Young Stunna, and Umthakathi Kush, topped both the Official South African Charts and the Billboard South Africa Songs chart in early 2024. The song earned multiple awards at the 18th Metro FM Music Awards, including Song of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Best Amapiano. In 2025, Kabza De Small continues his streak with nominations in categories such as Best Dance Song for “Hayi Baba” and Song of the Year for “Wishi Wishi,” a collaboration with Vigro Deep, Scotts Maphuma, and Young Stunna.​

Scotts Maphuma, another prominent Amapiano artist, shares the spotlight with four nominations. His contributions to tracks like “Yebo Lapho (Gogo)” alongside Felo Le Tee, ThabzaTee, DJ Maphorisa, and Djy Biza, and “Biri Marung” with Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego, Sje Konka, Focalistic, DJ Maphorisa, and CowBoii, have earned him nods in categories including Best Amapiano Song and Best Collaboration Song.​

DJ Maphorisa, a versatile producer and DJ, continues influencing the Amapiano landscape. His collaborations on tracks like “Yebo Lapho (Gogo)” and “Biri Marung” have secured him nominations in categories such as Best Amapiano Song and Best Collaboration Song. His consistent ability to blend traditional South African sounds with contemporary beats has solidified his position as a key player in the industry.​

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OTHER NOTEWORTHY NOMINATIONS

Sjava, along with Cassper Nyovest, earned three nominations, and one of the hip-hop giants, Kwesta, earned 6 nominations, showcasing the diversity and richness of South Africa’s music scene. Sjava’s collaboration with Usimamane on “Uvalo” is up for Best Hip Hop Song, while Kwesta and Cassper Nyovest’s feature on Woodblock DJs’ “Skuta Baba (Remix)” has them in contention for Song of the Year.​

The awards ceremony is scheduled for 3 May 2025 at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga. In the meantime, fans can vote for their favourite artists, songs, albums and music videos by dialling the USSD code *120*45787# and following the prompts.

AWARD CATEGORIES AND PRIZES

Winners in each category will receive a cash prize of R50,000. The coveted Song of the Year award comes with a grand prize of R150,000, courtesy of the Motsepe Foundation, which also sponsors the Lifetime Achievement Award. African Fashion International (AFI) supports the Best Styled Artist category, while Santam sponsors the Best Artist award. Additionally, the South African Music Performance Rights Association (SAMPRA) is the official sponsor of the Artist of the Year award.​

Full List of Nominees

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

-Tyler ICU

-Kabza De Small

-Morda

-Makhadzi

-Kelvin Momo

BEST DUO GROUP

-Wanitwa Mos & Nkosazana Daughter

-Shakes & Les

-Black Motion

-Blaq Diamond

-Artwork Sounds

BEST FEMALE ARTIST

-Xolly Mncwango

-DBN Gogo

-Babalwa M

-Nontokozo Mkhize

-Makhadzi

BEST MALE ARTIST

-Usimamane

-Dlala Thukzin

-Kabza De Small

-Kelvin Momo

-Tyler ICU

BEST NEW ARTIST

-Mawelele

-Phila Koshin

-Neo Dube

BEST STYLED ARTIST

-Mawhoo

-Focalistic

-Morda

-DBN Gogo

-Oscar Mbo

BEST DANCE SONG

–Can’t Get by Casswell P. & Nobuhle

–Sohlala Sisonke by Dlala Thukzin Feat. Zeh Mcgeba Mk Productions

–Hayi Baba by Chronical Deep. Leehleza. Kabza De Small Ft. Latique, Ezra

–Vuka by Oscar Mbo and Jazzworx Feat. Thukuthela

–Ndisize by Cairo Ft Ami Faku

BEST GOSPEL ALBUM

–Lindiwe by Nontokozo Mkhize

–Heavenly Psalms Level 2 by Sbunoah

–Unusual by Xolly Mncwango

–According To Grace, A One Man Show by Ayanda Ntanzi

–Jesus To The City V2 by Mmuso Worship

BEST HIP-HOP SONG

–Let Me Cook by K.0 Ft. Maglera Doe Boy

–Uvalo by Usimamane & Sjava

–War by Emtee

–Too Much by Skhanda World, K.O & Nasty C

–Wishlist by Tony Dayimane, Usimamane, Kwesta& Yanga Chief

BEST JAZZ ALBUM

–Unomkhubulwane by Nduduzo Makhathini

–Sankofa by Thandiswa Mazwai

–Iladi by Linda Sikhakhane

–Ndilapha by Nomfundo Xaluva

–Dirge For Our Fathers by Sydney Mavundla

Best Kwaito | Gqom Song

–Utshwala by Funky Qla, Argento Dust & Maline Aura

–Ekhaya by Mr Thela, Beast RSA, Mthandazo Gatya & Zanda Zakuza

–Fomo by Goldmax, Dlala Thukzin & Funky Qla Ft Zee Nxumalo & Beast RSA

–Singenzenjani by DJ Tira Feat. Amatycooler, Big Nuz & Focus Magazi

–Ama Weekend by Goldmax & Blacks Jnr Feat. Leemckrazy

BEST PRODUCED ALBUM

–Lindiwe by Nontokozo Mkhize

–Finally Famous Too by Dlala Thukzin

DIY 3 by Emtee

–Ntsako by Kelvin Momo

–Sankofa by Thandiswa Mazwai

BEST R&B SONG

–Risk by Shekhinah Ft. Moliy

–All My Life by Mawelele & Kwesta

–Love Me Slowly by Elaine

–Best Friend (Control) by Langa Mavuso

–Tonight by Nanette, Tellaman & Nasty C

BEST AFRICAN POP SONG

–Umusa by Nomfundo Moh Ft. Msaki, Cassper Nyovest

–Piki Piki by Blaq Diamond

–Romeo & Juliet by Naledi Aphiwe & Mawelele

–Typhoon by Sjava & The Qwellers Ft Sastii, Lacabra, Lowfeye & Blue Papi

–Umdali by Mlindo The Vocalist & DJ Maphorisa Ft. Tman Xpress, Phila Dlozi

Best Amapiano Song

BEST AMAPIANO SONG

–Selimathunzi by Dj Stokie. Zee_Nhle. Sobzeen & Faith Strings

–Yebo Lapho (Gogo) by Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma & Thabzatee Ft. Dj Maphorisa & DJY Biza

–Kwelanga 2.0 by Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza Ft. Tmanxpress, Leemckrazy

–Biri Marung by Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego Ft. Sje Konka X Focalistic X DJ Maphorisa X Scotts Maphuma X Cowboii

–Sdakiwe Sbali by Blaq Major, Bless The General, DJ Kap

Best Collaboration Song

–Yebo Lapho (Gogo) by Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma & Thabzatee Ft. DJ Maphorisa & Djy Biza

–Biri Marung by Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego Ft. Sje Konka X Focalistic X DJ Maphorisa Scotts Maphuma X Cowboii

–Kwelanga 2.0 by Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza Ft. Tmanxpress, Leemckrazy

–Skuta Baba (Remix) by Woodblock DJs Ft. Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta & Kane Keid

–Wishi Wishi by Kabza De Small & Vigro Deep Feat. Scotts Maphuma & Young Stunna

BEST MUSIC VIDEO

–Skuta Baba Remix by Woodblock DJs Ft Buzzi Lee, Kane Keid, Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta, Tony Dayimane

–Ndisize by Cairo Ft Ami Fa.

–Uvalo by Usimamane & Sjava

–Kwelanga 2.0 by Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza Ft. Tmanxpress, Leemckrazy

–Biri Marung by Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego Ft. Sje Konka X Focalistic X DJ Maphorisa X Scotts Maphuma X Cowboii

BEST VIRAL CHALLENGE

–Biri Marung by Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego Ft. Sje Konka X Focalistic X DJ Maphorisa X Scotts Maphuma X Cowboii

–Wishi Wishi by Kabza De Small & Vigro Deep Feat. Scotts Maphuma & Young Stunna

–Skuta Baba Remix by Woodblock DJs Ft Buzzi Lee, Kane Keid, Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta, Tony Dayimane

–Yebo Lapho (Gogo) by Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma & Thabzatee Ft. Dj Maphorisa & DJY Biza

–MKK by Kmat Feat. Cowboii, Djygubzin, Live & Ranger

SONG OF THE YEAR

–Sdakiwe Sbali by Blaq Major Ft. Bless The Gentleman & DJ Kap

–Number 1 by Makhadzi, Prince Benza, Iyanya

–Skuta Baba Remix by Woodblock DJs Ft Buzzi Lee, Kane Keid, Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta, Tony Dayimane

–Yebo Lapho (Gogo) by Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma & Thabzatee Ft. Dj Maphorisa & DJY Biza

–Kwelanga 2.0 by Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza Ft. Tmanxpress, Leemckrazy

–Ndisize by Cairo Ft Ami Faku

–Biri Marung by Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego Ft. Sje Konka X Focalistic X DJ Maphorisa X Scotts Maphuma X Cowboii

–Funk 99 by Shakes & Les Feat. Leemckrazy

–Wishi Wishi by Kabza De Small & Vigro Deep Feat. Scotts Maphuma & Young Stunna

–MKK by Kmat Feat. Cowboii, Djygubzin, Live & Ranger

The awards ceremony is scheduled for 3 May 2025 at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga. In the meantime, fans can vote for their favourite artists, songs, albums and music videos by dialling the USSD code *120*45787# and following the prompts.