Urban Music Awards launches in SA, unveils nominees

14 mar 2025 - 11:24

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

Urban Music Awards (UMA) is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a major international expansion, launching in more than 20 countries, with South Africa selected as the first to host the prestigious event.

Tyla is leading with six nominations.

Originally founded in 2003 in the UK, the UMA has steadily grown over the years, expanding to the United States in 2007, the Caribbean in 2008, and Asia in 2009. The newly introduced Urban Music Awards South Africa (UMA SA) aims to elevate South African musicians, producers, DJs, and artists onto the global stage. The inaugural UMA SA ceremony is set to take place on 4 May 2025 at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria.

“The launch of UMA South Africa is more than an awards ceremony, it’s a movement to empower South African artists with the tools to brand, monetise, and transcend global audiences across Europe, Asia, North America, and the rest of Africa,” UMA founder & president, Jordan Kensington, said. “South African music is vibrant, diverse, and influential, and now is the time for the world to truly embrace its talent.”

South Africa has long been a hub of musical innovation, with genres like amapiano gaining international traction. The success of Tyla, Black Coffee, and Master KG’s global hit ‘Jerusalema’ has demonstrated the country’s influence in the global music industry. The UMA SA aims to further amplify this impact, providing a platform for South African artists to gain international recognition.

UMA and Official World Charts head of global partnerships Cressida Oppenheimer, said: “We are thrilled to expand the Urban Music Awards and Official World Charts into South Africa. This expansion is a game-changer, offering South African artists an unparalleled opportunity to succeed on a global stage. Music tourism is a multi-billion-dollar industry, encompassing sales, concerts, tours, festivals, merchandise, and businesses, and our mission is to ensure South African music reaps the rewards worldwide.”

Meanwhile, nominees for the inaugural UMA SA have been announced ahead of the awards ceremony at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria on 4 May.

Fans now have the opportunity to vote for their favourite nominees until midnight on 2 May.

To vote, users must register via this link.

Below is the full list of nominees:

Artist of the Year

Tyla
Kabza De Small
Lwah Ndlunkulu
Kelvin Momo
Priddy Ugly
Usimamane
Zee Nxumalo
KO

Best Male Act

Kabza De Small
Mthunzi
uGatsheni
Kelvin Momo
Blxxie
Usimamane
Scotts Maphumas Maphuma
Lee-Mac
Casper Nyovest
Oscar Mbo

Best Female Act

Tyla
Lwah Ndlunkulu
DJ Zinhle
Ami Faku
Makhadzi
Nkosazana Daughter
Uncle Waffles
Kamo Mphela
Boohle
Mawhoo
Babalwa M
Brenda Mtambo

Best Newcomer

Naledi Aphiwe
Lwah Ndlunkulu
Scotts Maphuma
Mawelele
Joliza
Neo Dube
Tony Dayimane
Usimamane
Dee Koala
LaTique
LeeMcKrazy

Best Group

Mellow & Sleezy
Artwork Sounds
Black Motion
Shakes & Les
Justin 99 & PC
Major League
Skorpion Kings
Joyous Celebration
Shakes & Les
Die Antwoord

Best Collaboration

Kabza De Small & Mthunzi – ‘Isimo’
Mellow & Sleazy, Sjavas De Deejay, TitoM – ‘Imnadi Lento’
Die Piesangskille and Johan Balt – ‘Almal Gly’
Tyla & DJ Lag – ‘Overdue’
Makhadzi & Master KG – ‘Kulakwe’
Elaine & Blxckie – ‘Loving You’
KO & Nasty C – ‘Too Much’
Woodblock Djs, Casper, Kwesta – ‘Skuta Baba’
Scotts Maphuma, Maphorisa – ‘Biri Marung’
Scotts Maphuma, Felo Le Tee, Thabza Tee – ‘Yebo Lapho’

Best Album

Kabza De Small & Mthunzi – Isimo
De Mthuda – Baba Yaga
Daliwonga – Dali Dali
Kelvin Momo – Kurhula
Tyla – Tyla
Brenda Mtambo – Sane
Morda – Crazy
Pretty Ugly – Dust
Sjava – Isbuko
25k – Loyal to the Plug
AKA – Mass Country

Best Amapiano Act

Kabza De Small
Kelvin Momo
De Mthuda
DJ Maphorisa
Amos
Felo Le Tee
Leemackrazy
Scotts Maphuma
Uncle Waffles
Baballwa M
Tyla ICU
Zee Nxumalo

Best Hip Hop Act

Nasty C
A-Reece
Cassper Nyovest
Blxckie
Kwesta
Usimamane
Maglera Doe Boy
Priddy Ugly
Yanga Chief
K.O

Best Gqom Act

Mr Thela
DJ Lag
RudeBoyz
TNS
Dladla Mshunqisi
Dlala Thukzin
Goldmax
DJ Tira
Bhuda M
Sparks Bantwana

Best Afro Pop Act

Lwah Ndlunkulu
Blaq Diamond
Big Zulu
Aubrey
Ntate Stunna
Vusi Nova
Sjava
Simmy
Sun-El Musician
Kelly Khumalo

Best House Music Act

Black Coffee
DJ Zinhle
Culoe De Song
Euphonik
Heavy K
Shimza
Prince Kaybee
Da Capo
DJ Jaivane

Best R&B Act

Elaine
Lloyiso
Ricky Tyler
Jesse Clegg
Rowlene
Shekhinah
Tellaman
Langa Mavuso
Brenden Praise
Vusi Nova

Best Jazz Act

Judith Sephuma
Marcus Wyatt
Rorisang Sechele
Nick Ford
Simphiwe Dana
Lucas Senyatso
Siyabonga Mthethwa
Thandeka Dladla
Nduduzo Makhathini

Best Gospel Act

Joyous Celebration
Benjamin Dube
Dr Tumi
Ntokozo Mbambo
Lebo Sekgobela
Soweto Gospel Choir
Dumi Mkokstad
Mahalia Buchanan
Khaya Mthethwa
Ncubeko Mbatha
Ayanda Ntenzi
Dube Brothers
Mmatema
Spirit Of Praise

Best Maskandi Act

Mthandeni SK
Izingane Zoma
Khuthuza
Ntencane
Mjolisi
uGatsheni
Menzi Music
Bahubhe
Zwide
Umafikizolo

Best Reggae & Dancehall Act

The Rudimentals
Tidal Waves
Jah Seed
Black Dillinger
Nkulee Dube
Azania Band
Ras Dumisani

Best Producer

DJ Maphorisa
Kabza De Small
Sun-El Musician
Master KG
Vigro Deep
Kelvin Momo
TitoM and Yuppe
Tyler ICU
Dlala Thukzin
Nqubeko Mbatha

Best DJ

Black Coffee
DJ Zinhle
Lamiez Holworthy
Shimza
DJ Tira
DJ Maphorisa
Tyler ICU
Vigro Deep
DJ Euphonik
Uncle Waffles

Best Music Video

Kamo Mphela, Khalil Harrison & Tyler ICU – ‘Dalie’ ft. Baby S.O.N
TXC & Davido – ‘Yebo’ (Official Video) ft. Tony Duardo, LeeMckrazy & DJ Biza
Wanitwa Mos, Master KG, Nkosazana Daughter – ‘Keneilwe’ (ft. Dalom Kids)
K.O – ‘Let Me Cook’ (Official Music Video) ft. Maglera Doe Boy
Tyler ICU – ‘Ebasini Wav.files’ ft. Leemckrazy, Tman Xpress, Ceeka RSA, Visca, AL Xapo, Sjavas DaDeejay
Mr JazziQ x Vigro Deep – ‘Fede’ (Official Music Video)
Vigro Deep, DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small (ft. Focalistic, Scotts Maphuma) – ‘A-Z (Yashi Moto)’
Nasty C & @audiomarcdj – ‘For Certain’
Usimamane & Rick Ross – ‘Dangerous II’
Dee Koala – ‘Gwan’ (Official Music Video) ft. Maglera Doe Boy
Priddy Ugly & Maglera Doe Boy ft. MashBeatz – ‘NTJA’KA’
DJ Maphorisa, XDuppy, Sean1401 – ‘Ngibolekeni’ ft. Leemckrazy, Scotts Maphuma, Blxckie, Pcee, Kabelo Sings
Uncle Waffles & Royal Musiq – ‘Wadibusa’ ft. Ohp Sage & Pcee (Official Music Video)
Tyla, Sean Paul – ‘PUSH 2 START (REMIX)’
TitoM & Yuppe – ‘Tshwala Bam’ ft. S.N.E & EeQue

Best Live Performance

Cassper Nyovest
Makhadzi
Sjava
Ami Faku
Justin 99 & Pcee
Uncle Waffles
Kamo Mphela
Priddy Ugly
Maglera Doe Boy
Zee Nxumalo
Busiswa
Toss

Best Radio Station

Metro FM
5FM
Ukhozi FM
YFM
Gagasi FM
Kaya FM
Capricorn FM
Power FM
Good Hope FM
Jozi FM

Best Radio Show

The Touchdown with Tbo Touch (Metro FM)
The Roger Goode Show (5FM)
The Midday Link-up (Metro FM)
The Drive with Mo Flava (Metro FM)
The Best T Drive (Ukhozi FM)
The Big Breakfast Show (R2000)
The Khaya Countdown (Kaya 959)
The Eskhaleni Party (R2000)
The Sound Supreme (Good Hope FM)
The Big Breakfast with DJ Sabby (YFM)
5 Hip Hop Nights (5FM)
The Fresh Breakfast (Metro FM)
Weekend Breakfast with Thando Thabethe (947)

Best Music Television Show

MTV Inside Life (MTV Base)
SA Hits Countdown (MTV Base)
Massive Music (Channel O)
Channel O Top 30 (Channel O)
JR’s Feel-Good Live Sessions (SABC 1)
Gospel Unplugged (SABC 1)
Connect (SABC 1)
LunchTime Vibes (SABC1)
Video Wall (eTV)
Yash’ingoma (Mzansi Magic)
Mzansi House Countdown (Mzansi Magic)

Best Online Music Platform

SlikourOnLife
VooVix TV
Music In Africa
OkayAfrica
Trace Africa
HYPE Magazine
Channel O Online
SA Hip-Hop Mag
Zkhiphani
YFM Online

Best Viral Breakthrough Song

Uncle Waffles – ‘Tanzania’
Young Stunna – ‘Adiwele’
TitoM & Yuppe – ‘Tshwala Bam’
Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow & Tebogo G Mashego – ‘Biri Marung’ ft. DJ Maphorisa, Focalistic & Scotts Maphuma
Blxckie – ‘David’
Tyla – ‘Water’
Dlala Thukzin – ‘Sohlala Sonke’
Uncle Waffles – ‘Wadibusa’
K.O – ‘SETE’

International Artist of the Year