MASO Music Awards 2025 in Malawi: All the nominees

The awards highlight work across Malawi’s music, film, fashion, visual arts and media sectors.

Among the leading contenders for Best Artist (Male) are Namadingo, Onesimus, Eli Njuchi, Teddy Makadi, Joe Ikon, Kell Kay, Driemo and Praise Umali. The Best Artist (Female) category includes Lady Aika, Sangie, Theresa Phondo, Temwa, Jetu and Sife Mw.

The Best Upcoming Artist awards feature emerging acts such as Top Tik, Lyvwa, Eugine Reign, Ajuh Guffi, Naerae, Oath and Rossetta.

In the Best Song category, several of the year’s biggest tracks have been recognised, including ‘Tuli’ by Namadingo, ‘Pangolin’ by Jetu, ‘Magini’ by Driemo and ‘By Faith’ by Lady Aika. Collaborative projects have also been highlighted in the Best Collabo category, which features works such as ‘Ndikubereka’ by Trappy Beats & Cizzle and ‘Nditayenda Nanu’ by Theresa Phondo featuring Namadingo.

Albums released over the past year have been acknowledged in Best Album, with nominations for Eli Njuchi’s Cifu, Teddy Makadi’s With Love Makadi and Praise Umali’s 20 Somethings, among others. Visual storytelling in music has also been recognised through the Best Music Video category, which includes ‘Lawi’ by Eugine Reigns, ‘Ndatopa’ by Kell Kay and ‘Tuli’ by Namadingo.

Producers and directors shaping Malawi’s contemporary sound and visuals appear in categories such as Best Producer and Best Music Video Director, while gospel music features strongly across Best Gospel Act, Best Gospel Song and related categories.

Other categories within the music segment include Best Duo/Group, Best Club DJ, Best Hip Hop Act, Best Afro Soul Act, Best Local Sound Act, Best Dancehall Act, Best RnB & Pop Act, Best Stage/Live Performance and Best Southern African Performance.

Beyond music, the awards also recognise achievement in film, with categories such as Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Feature Film and Best Film Series. Fashion, visual arts, poetry and content creation are also represented, acknowledging a wide spectrum of creative work across the country. Institutions offering arts-related training have been nominated for Best Pro Arts University/College, while honorary awards this year include the MASO Lifetime Achievement Award, the MASO Humanitarian Award and the MASO Innovative Entrepreneur of the Year.

The MASO Music Awards aim to celebrate artistic excellence across Malawi’s creative industries. The winners will be announced during the ceremony in Lilongwe on 13 December.

Below is the full list of nominees:

Best Artist (Male)

• Namadingo
• Onesimus
• Eli Njuchi
• Teddy Makadi
• Joe Ikon
• Kell Kay
• Driemo
• Praise Umali

Best Artist (Female)

• Lady Aika
• Sangie
• Theresa Phondo
• Temwa
• Jetu
• Sife Mw

Best Upcoming Artist (Male)

• Top Tik
• Joe Ikon
• Lyvwa
• Chain Oh Abebu
• Eugine Reign
• Loiso
• Ajuh Guffi
• Viddix

Best Upcoming Artist (Female)

• Naerae
• Christar Kyla
• Oath
• Annette Nandine
• Morale The Rapper
• Tink Oana
• Rossetta
• Stacey

Best Song

• ‘Tuli’ — Namadingo
• ‘Aumvere Fungo’ — Waison Makalamu & Various Artists
• ‘Pangolin’ — Jetu
• ‘Magini’ — Driemo
• ‘Tabwera’ — Onesimus
• ‘Chedwa’ — Ajuh Guffi
• ‘Composure’ — Eli Njuchi
• ‘By Faith’ — Lady Aika

Best Collabo

• ‘Ndikubereka’ — Trappy Beats & Cizzle
• ‘Khalidwe’ — Lulu & Driemo
• ‘Nkhawa Ndilibe’ — Joe Ikon, Aidfest & Kineo
• ‘Nditayenda Nanu’ — Theresa Phondo ft. Namadingo
• ‘Sinzapanganso’ — Kell Kay ft. Macelba & Achina Gattah Aise
• ‘Composure’ — Charisma ft. Zeze Kingston
• ‘Jah Bless’ — BeeJay & Ace Jeezy ft. Daredevils
• ‘Superstar’ — Chizmo, K Banton, Ace Jizzy, Bee Jay & Veda Njuchi

Best Album

• ‘Cifu’ — Eli Njuchi
• ‘Maluba’ — Merchah
• ‘With Love Makadi’ — Teddy Makadi
• ‘20 Somethings’ — Praise Umali
• ‘Files’ — Toast
• ‘The King Against the World’ — Med C
• ‘Udikirebe’ — Amidu Ellan
• ‘Lameki’ — Provoice
• ‘Faith + Hope + Love’ — Theresa Phondo

Best Music Video

• ‘Lawi’ — Eugine Reigns
• ‘Pray for Me’ — Theresa Phondo ft. Praise Umali
• ‘Ndatopa’ — Kell Kay
• ‘Sikoyamba’ — Afana Ceez
• ‘Magini’ — Driemo
• ‘Cigarette’ — Onesimus
• ‘How Are You?’ — Mic Mash
• ‘Tuli’ — Namadingo

Best Producer

• Richard Billy
• J Mass
• Chawa Beats
• Cuff B
• Tricky Beats
• BFB
• Savage
• DJ Megi

Best Music Video Director

• Seany Films
• Keong Kadango
• Twice P
• Staffa Awash
• Ron Cz
• VJ Ken
• Director Tonney
• Director Kante

Best Gospel Act (Male)

• Kelvin Sings
• Paul Kachala
• Beracah
• Alex Nkalo
• Simplice Bless
• Madalitso Banda

Best Gospel Act (Female)

• Miracle Chinga
• Theresa Phondo
• Shyreen
• Chisomo Chimoto
• Masintha Women’s Choir
• Likiliki Ladies

Best Gospel Song

• ‘Wake Wake’ — Great Angels Choir
  ‘M’modzi’ — Miracle Chinga
  ‘Kuyenda Nanu’ — Theresa Phondo ft. Namadingo
  ‘Chilengedwe’ — Likiliki Ladies
  ‘Jehovah’ — Kelvin Sings
  ‘Takulandirani’ — Masintha Women’s Choir
  ‘Kungoyamika’ — Chisomo Chimoto

Best Duo/Group

• Aidfest & Kineo
• Trappy Beats & Cizzle
• Mzuzu Mafia
• Tadala & Tsagonja
• Black Missionaries
• Zacks Chihana & Prophet Habakuku

Best Club DJ

• Mighty Virus
• DJ Happy
• DJ Boo
• DJ Bubblegum
• Sindi Sound
• DJ Maaz

Best Hip Hop Act

• Crispy Malawi
• Toast
• Charisma
• Mic Mash
• BeeJay & Ace Jizzy
• Emm Zibry
• IKK
• Phyzix

Best Afro Soul Act

• Dr. Joram
• Lawi
• Praise Umali
• Nathaniel Chaluchalu
• Maggie Kadrum

Best Local Sound Act

• Amidu Elan
• Gibo Pearson
• Madalitso Band
• Aumvere Fungo by Waison Makalamu
• Fred Mw
• Sife Mw

Best Dancehall Act

• Malinga
• Sean Morgan
• Chizmo Njuchi
• Med C
• Bieg Man
• Pro Voice
• Kellie Devine
• Veda Njuchi

Best RnB & Pop Act

• Bucci
• Onesimus
• Kell Kay
• Eli Njuchi
• Teddy Makadi
• Driemo
• Qaso
• Merchah

Best Stage/Live Performance

• Bucci
• Charisma
• Joe Ikon
• Temwa
• Maggie Kadrum
• Namadingo
• Mic Mash
• Fada Moti

Best Southern African Performance

• Scot Maphuma
• Makhadzi
• Amanda Black
• Nkosazana Daughter
• Emmo
• Yo Maps
• Pompi

Film Categories

Best Actor

• Innocent Manyera (Nikalagwa)
• Tumpa Nigel Ntaya (Phwedo)
• Amos Nsekandiana (Jaliwa)
• Eugine Madede (M’burundi)
• Edwin Chonde
• Pleasant Theodore Banda

Best Actress

• Tapika Singini
• Desire Namachotsa
• Sophie Mponda
• Sangie
• Sibusiswe Chasweka
• Joyce Chavula

Best Feature Film

• Maula Prison
• The Gunless Soldier
• Justice
• The Hard Way

Best Film Series

• Issues
• Pa Mango Lodge
• Usauver
• The Trap Series
• Mdyangu
• Agent Lwando

Fashion Categories

Best Fashion Designer

• Qanary & Rich Baby
• Ruth Chirwa
• Xandria
• Uppie Designs
• Ranks45
• Dolphin
• Miss Pearl

Best Model (Male)

• Daniel Chikaipa
• Hackson
• A1 Autum
• Landry
• Cremora
• Edwards Davis

Best Model (Female)

• Monalisa Kafuwa
• Nefiti Ntaba
• Small Wife
• Edith Mafubza
• Thandie Chisi
• Trintas
• Xania

Visual Arts & Poetry

Best Visual Artist (Male)

• Chimwemwe Luwanda
• Madalitso Ziwaoh
• Jethro Longwe
• Nyangu Chidola
• Lovemore Chimpanga
• Elis Singano

Best Visual Artist (Female)

• Tee Mlinga
• Nataliah Provah
• Mable Tikhala Wasi
• Amabel Banda
• Vanessa Maganga
• Alinafe Chapungu

Best Graphic Designer

• Moze Arts
• Martin Chakwawa
• Half Past
• Smart Kayira
• William Chiwanda

Best Event Photographer

• Amuna Chisale
• Moses Sephasie
• Ron Cz (Red ink media)
• Martin Kadewere
• Script
• Joe Chirambo

Best Dancing Group

• Adobe Dance Crew
• Invisible Dance Crew
• Real Victory Dance Crew
• Beginners Dance Crew
• 7 Arts
• The Gap Connection

Best Poet (Vernacular)

• Joel Charley
• Mlakatuli Kenson
• Rajab Anussa
• Anoyi The Poet
• Jane Senenje
• Yona Mlakatuli Gondwe

Best Poet (English)

• Refilwe Ntopa
• Monalisa Alfonso
• Vanessa Kameza
• Dark Shadow
• Tchu Chisiza
• Ponell Bangula

Content Creation & Media

Best Content Creator (Male)

• Chippie
• Abba M’bangali
• Tricky Nkhata
• Spanner Malawi
• Mahempe
• Ma-IdyAbles

Best Content Creator (Female)

• Mariam Angel
• Taurai Mache Yvone
• Tupochere
• Yuki Mataya
• Hanareen Doness
• Yo Bouy Spi

Best Rising Content Creator

• Janah Boy
• Ken Alufisha
• Chriss Jay
• Jupepe
• Prince Rice
• Tommy Shadow

Best Media Personality (Digital & Traditional)

• Catherine Maulidi
• Brian Banda
• Leah Malekano
• Victor Daffrece
• Joab Chakhaza
• Nya Uyu

Institutional Category

Best Pro Arts University/College

• NRC
• UNIMA (Chanco)
• LUANAR (Bunda)
• MUST
• MUBAS
• Domasi College

Honorary Categories

MASO Lifetime Achievement Award

• Jai Banda – Founder of Entertainers Promotion

MASO Humanitarian Award

• Dr. Shepherd Bushiri – Founder of ECG The Jesus Nation

MASO Innovative Entrepreneur of the Year

• Richard Chirwa – Founder & CEO of Fadeth Furnishers