Basadi Music Awards 2025: All the nominees

This year’s nominees reflect a vibrant mix of genres, talents, and trailblazers, with rising Afropop and amapiano star Zee Nxumalo emerging as the most nominated artist across multiple categories.

The awards will be presented over two events: the Vanguard Awards on 1 August, which recognise women behind the scenes in media and entertainment, and the Music Awards on 2 August, celebrating artists, vocalists, and producers across various music genres.

Zee Nxumalo leads the nominations with an impressive four nods. Her hit track ‘Ngisakuthanda’ earned her nominations in Amapiano Artist of the Year, Sofnfree Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Music Video of the Year. This achievement cements her status as one of the country’s fastest-rising stars in the amapiano and Afropop scenes.

Other major contenders include Kamo Mphela, nominated in Amapiano Artist of the Year and Sofnfree Artist of the Year, and Nontokozo Mkhize, who earned three nominations for Gospel Artist of the Year, Sofnfree Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year.

Below is the full list of nominees:

Vanguard Awards 1 August

Artist Manager of the Year

• Hloni Hlo Mohlala
• Phindile Matroshe
• Tholsi Pillay
• Maphuthi Perez
• Miss T Thwala

Entertainment Radio Presenter of the Year

• Relebogile Mabotja – 702 Unplugged Sessions
• Lootlove – The Touchdown Metro FM
• Hlekani Shikwambana – Capricorn Experience Capricorn FM
• Lebo Maoela – Lesedi FM
• Kgomotso Meso – 959 Kaya FM
• Mannehileng Letuka – Lesedi FM

Entertainment Journalist of the Year

• Keitumetse Maako – News 24
• Joy Mphande – Tshisa Live
• Nokuthula Zwane – Media 24
• Mbali Mbatha – City Press
• Mapule Pule – Maftown online

Choreographer of the Year

• Delta the Leo
• Bontle Modiselle-Moloi
• Tlhogi Molefi

Entertainment TV Presenter of the Year

• Lerai Newsish – MTV Base
• Zanele Potela – Hotspot Seli
• Mpumi Mlambo – Ushuni Womhlaba SABC 1

Best Styled Artist of the Year

• Faith K
• Moozlie
• Kamo Mphela
• Anele Zondo (Ney the Bae)

Entertainment TV Producer of the Year

• Relebogile Mabotja – Tyla’s Showmax Homecoming Concert
• Dineo Lusenga – The Orbit Youtube

Entertainment Radio Producer of the Year

• Tlou Tlonae – Capricorn Breakfast Capricorn FM
• Phindile Mthombeni – The AM Prime Show Emalahleni FM
• Noni Khumalo – The Lunch League Y
• Dineo Lusenga – The Midday Link Up Metro FM

Make Up Artist of the Year

• Bongi Mlotswa
• Nomsa Madida
• Nono Linchwe
• Stephy Kwanaite

Hairstylist of the Year

• Hair by Nana R
• Ntombomzi Lekgoro
• Mbalezwehair
• Jullz_Hairstylist
• Tumelo Mj Afrobotique

Podcast Presenter of the Year

• Pharoahi – Popcorn and Cheese
• Relebogile Mabotja – The Relebogile Mabotja Podcast
• Laconco – Timeline with Laconco
• Si Jones – Si Sessions Africa

Music Awards – 2 August

Afropop Artist of the Year

• Zethe – ‘Abantu’
• Nomakhosini – ‘Angsafuni Ngami’
• Motlanalo – ‘Goya Goyile’
• Naledi Aphiwe – ‘Romeo and Juliet’
• Lwah Ndlunkulu – ‘Mnakwethu’

Amapiano Artist of the Year

• Kamo Mphela – ‘Woza’
• Pabi Cooper – ‘Pabi Jo’
• Zee Nxumalo – ‘Ngisakuthanda’
• Bassie Kwelanga – ‘2.0’
• Babalwa M – ‘Bothata’

Sofnfree Artist of the Year

• Zee Nxumalo – ‘Ngsakuthanda’
• Xolly Ncwango – ‘Liyabasebenzela’
• Kamo Mphela – ‘Woza’
• Nontokozo Mkhize – ‘Esandleni’
• Makhadzi – ‘Number 1’

Collaboration of the Year

• Cici and Liema – ‘Pantsi Impumelelo’
• Babalwa M and Yallunder – ‘Mthuthuzeli’
• Mpho Sebina and Lioness Ratang – ‘Lioness’
• Nosipho, Cici and Liema Pantsi – ‘Home’
• Boohle, DEE Koala, K Mat – ‘Iskhath’ Sam Manje’

Dance Artist of the Year

• Manana Highness – Mdali
• Makhadzi – Number 1
• Shandesh – Sdudla/Slender
• Karishma – Chokesmal
• Azana – Abogogo

DJ of the Year

• Lerato Kganyago
• DJ Tshepi
• Lamiez Holworthy
• DJ Zinhle
• Kele Megano

Gospel Artist of the Year

• Mapula Monyepao – ‘Hale Phirimile’
• Nontokozo Mkhize – ‘Esandleni’
• Sneizy Uyinqaba – ‘Yethu’
• Xolly Mncwango – ‘Liyabasebenzela’
• Sindi Ntombela – ‘Ulithemba Lethu’

Hip Hop Artist of the Year

• Ms Kulie – ‘Dyi Baddie’
• Nadia Nakai – ‘No Problems’
• Gigi Lamayne – ‘Bleed Mama’
• StaticFlo – ‘Seven7’
• Faith – ‘K Qosh’

Jazz Artist of the Year

• Salphina Kadiaka – ‘Champaign’
• Rorisang Sechele – ‘Tsoga’
• Tshenolo – ‘Freedom Song’
• Gabi Motuba – ‘Order my Steps’

Reggae Artist of the Year

• Dimahr – ‘Dry Tears’
• Undefynd – ‘Danceholic’
• Lani M – ‘Carried Away’
• Sankie Fayauman – ‘Motherland’
• MadaGlory – ‘Graceful Dub’

Traditional Artist of the Year

• Phumla Music – ‘Makhonjwa’
• MmaAusi – ‘2 Pula’
• Esther Mphahlele – ‘Basadi’
• Miss Hillary – ‘Hangwani’

Song of the Year

• Zee Nxumalo – ‘Ngisakuthanda’
• Bassie Kwelanga – ‘2.0’
• Nontokozo Mkhize – ‘Esandleni’
• Aya Msani – ‘Dubai 2.0’
• Lwa Ndlunkulu – ‘Mnakwethu’

Songwriter of the Year

• Bongiwe Mngomezulu – ‘Uyangihola’
• Liema PANTSI – ‘Let me Be’
• Cnethemba Gonelo – ‘Lindishonele’
• Motlanalo – ‘Goya Goyile’
• Zoe Modiga – ‘Uyakhazimula’

Newcomer of the Year

• Nonny Muji – Nguye
• Ayarhkay – Hamba
• Lani M – What You Made Of’
• Mega Snowflake – ‘Aketeng’

Pop Artist of the Year

• Chante – ‘Stay the Night’
• Tasha Baxter – ‘Bipolar Bear’
• Jamie Lee Sexton – ‘Missing’
• Anica Kiana – ‘Kiss me Hard’

Music Video of the Year

• Liema Pantsi – ‘Let me Be’
• Zee Nxumalo – ‘Ngisakuthanda’
• Naledi Aphiwe – ‘Ngiyabonga’
• Kharishma – ‘Chokeslem’
• Pabi Cooper – ‘Pabi Jo’