Basadi in Music Awards 2023: All the nominees

The event saw the organisers expanding the award categories to reach out to the rest of Africa and provide international opportunities. The newly introduced categories are Basadi in Music In Africa, Reggae Artist of the Year and Nando's Emerging Artist of the Year. The Basadi in Music In Africa is an honorary, non-voting award made possible through a partnership between the BIMAs and the Music In Africa Foundation. 

Berita (Zimbabwe), Maleh (Lesotho), Mpho Sebina (Botswana) and S3fa (Ghana) were announced as the recipients of the Mosadi in Music in Africa Award, which is given out before the main ceremony, while Nhlanhla Mafu, Thando Thabethe and Boity will receive in August the CEO Mosadi in Business Achievement Award for their leadership, innovation and resilience in their respective ventures.

Lwah Ndlunkulu of Inkabi Records is this year’s top contender with four nominations: Afro Pop Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Hip Hop, and Artist of the Year. Following with three nominations apiece are Pabi Cooper, Uncle Waffles and Ney the Bae, who co-hosted the inaugural Basadi in Music Awards last year.

“We are immensely proud to announce the nominees for the Basadi in Music Awards,” BIMAs CEO Hloni Modise said. “These exceptional women embody the strength, talent and resilience that define the spirit of women in music. We are also proud to present the CEO’s Mosadi in Business Achievement Award to women driving change and shaping industries. Similarly, the Mosadi in Music In Africa Award recipients are women with distinct voices, powerful storytelling abilities, and true trailblazers for African women in music. The BIMAs is proud to provide global opportunities to artists, connecting them with the rest of Africa and beyond. Voting lines are open, so we urge you to make your voice heard and ensure your favourite artist walks away with a prestigious Basadi in Music Award.”

Tickets to the awards ceremony are available here. Voting lines are now open and the public can vote by sending an SMS to 49960 with the category and nominee’s name at the cost of R2 per SMS, e.g. Lady Amar as DJ of the Year, send ‘DJ of the Year, Lady Amar’ to 49960.

Below is the full list of nominees:

Afro Pop Artist of the Year

• Brenda Mtambo – ‘Enzakwenzeke’
• Kelly Khumalo – ‘Akathintwa’
• Lioness Mohoje – ‘Dipotso’ 
• Lwah Ndlunkulu – ‘Ngiyeza’
• Nomfundo Moh – ‘Izibusiso’

Sofnfree Amapiano Artist of the Year

• Boohle ft. Murumba Pitch & Gaba Cannal – ‘Undenza Ntoni’
• Kamo Mphela ft. Various Artists – ‘Hannah Montana’
• Khanyisa Jaceni ft. Sir Trill, Marcus Mc, Tycoon & Ben Da Prince – ‘Gyjima’
• Nkosazana Daughter ft. Murumba Pitch, Master Kg & Lowsheen – ‘Ring Ring Ring’
• Pabi Cooper ft. Mello & Sleazy – ‘Waga Bietjie’

Artist of the Year

• Lizwi
• Lwah Ndlunkulu
• Makhadzi
• Skye Wanda
• Uncle Waffles

Dance Artist of the Year

• Maline Aura ft. Karyendasoul - Ifu
• Manana Highness - Ngifuna Wena
• Nuzu Deep- Come Find Me
• Simmy ft. Msaki - Hlelo
• Skye Wanda - Amazwi

DJ of the Year

• Lady Amar
• Lamiez Holworthy
• Ms Cosmo
• Pru Luv
• Uncle Waffles

Duo/Collaboration of the Year

• Bontle Smith, Nia Pearl and Nicol Elocin – ‘My Love’
• Group Chat – ‘Mama’
• Ney the Bae and Nadia Nakai – ‘Thick Slim’
• Qwabe Twins – ‘Sobonana’
• Txc And Khanyisa – ‘Vuka Mawulele’

Nando's Emerging Artist of the Year

• Black Villain
• Buzzi Lee
• Gemma Fassie
• Noluthando Ngema
• Qaqamba Ntshinka

Entertainment Journalist of the Year

• Amanda Matshaka – Sa Positive News
• Andiswa Ngenyane – Daily Sun
• Masego Seemela – Sowetan Smag
• Nokubongwa Phenyane – Isolezwe
• Nokuthula Zwane – News24

Entertainment Radio Presenter of the Year

• Khutso Theledi – The Break Away (Metro FM)
• Lerato Kganyago – Midday Link Up (Metro FM)
• Lethabo Lejoy Mathatho – Monate Breakfast Show (Thobela FM)
• Mittah Ledimo – The Kickstart on The Bloem Rise Breakfast Show (Radio Bloem)
• Thando Thabethe – 947 Drive With (Thando 947)

Entertainment Radio Producer of the Year

• Ayanda Melansi – Jabul' Ujule (Ukhozi FM)
• Kgoshigadi Rangata – Power Experience (Power FM)
• Masego Tlhakanye – 5 Weekend Breakfast (5FM)
• Phila Tyekana – The Touchdown (Metro FM)
• Pru Luv – Midday Link Up (Metro FM)

Entertainment TV Producer of the Year

• Layinah Petersen – Espresso Show (S3)
• Mathawe Matsapola – The Morning Show (eTV)
• Mbali Gamede – Lifestyle 101 (Soweto TV)
• Philisa Bidi – Massive Music (Chanel O)
• Thapelo Mowela – Morning Live (SABC 2)

Gospel Artist of the Year

• Athandie Mvusi – Thixo Akunangqaleko
• Bucy Radebe – Vuka Jona
• Hle – Take Heart
• Mmatema – My Time Is Now
• Ntokozo Mbambo – Ngcwele Nkosi

Hip Hop Artist of the Year

• Faith K – Ongen'koti
• Fifi Cooper ft. Lwah Ndlunkulu – Ngeke
• Nadia Nakai ft. Lucasraps – Not The Same
• Ney The Bae – Hi Everybody
• Rouge – Turn It Up

Jazz Artist of the Year

• Gloria Bosman – Bonga Njalo
• Katalia – Bophelo
• Thandi Ntuli – Inkululeko
• Thesis ZA – Chosi

Music TV Presenter of the Year

• Ntombee Mzolo – Yash' Ingoma
• Pamela Mtanga – Massive Music
• Senelisiwe Mbongwa – Soweto TV Gospel Xplosion

Music Video of the Year

• Jamie Lee-Sexton – Run Run Run
• Kamo Mphela ft. Various Artists – Ghost
• Lwah Ndlunkulu – Ngiyeza
• Ney The Bae ft. Given Zulu – Ingwe
• Pabi Cooper ft. Mello & Sleazy – Waga Bietjie

Newcomer of the Year

• Dimahr – Uptown Girls
• Dimakatso Lee – Holokile
• Eves Manxeba Ft May Jack – Ukukhanya
• Group Chat – Mama
• Kele M – Awake

Pop Artist of the Year

• Herrah – 7PM
• Holly Rey – Stripped
• Jamie-Lee Sexton – Run Run Run
• Rah Punzl – Don't Stop
• Tamara Dey – Disco Therapy

Reggae Artist of the Year

• Delta The Leo – Pum Pum
• Dimahr – Uptown Girls
• Empres Lilly – One Day
• Reign Afrika – Bazali Bam
• Zama Sunshine – Tell Me 

Social Media Influencer of the Year

• Mandz Not Hot
• Nelisiwe Sibiya
• Pamela Mtanga
• Thato Immaculate
• Tshidi Kekana Manganye

Song of the Year

• ‘Undeza Ntoni’ – Boohle ft. Murumba Pitch and Gabba Canal -
• ‘Hamba Juba’ – Lady Amar, JL SS, Cici and Murumba Pitch
• ‘Ithuba’ – Lwah Ndlunkulu ft. Siya Ntuli
• ‘Waga Bietjie’ – Pabi Cooper ft. Mello & Sleazy
• ‘Yahyuppiyah’ – Uncle Waffles,Tony Duardo, Justin99 ft. Pcee, Eeque and Chley

SAMRO Songwriter of the Year

• Gloria Bosman
• Jamie Lee Sexton
• Lioness Mohoje
• Msaki
• Phumla Music

Stylist of the Year

• Boogy Maboi 
• Lindo Mnguni
• Lindu Stylist
• Nhlanhla Mafu
• Odirile

Traditional Artist of the Year

• Candy Tsamandebele ft. Henny C – Rato Laka
• Dr Buselaphi ft. Camagwini & Shota – Uma Khanda Khanda
• Dr Sophy – Vamaseve wa Mina
• MmaAusi – Chiba le Kgomo
• Pleasure Tsa Manyalo – Mahlako Roko Ya Mosadi

Non-voting category recipients

CEO Mosadi In Business Achievement Award Recipients

• Nhlanhla Mafu for NN Vintage
• Thando Thabethe for Thabooty’s Underwear and Shapewear
• Boity for Be You By Boity and BT Signature

Mosadi In Music In Africa Award Recipients

• Berita (Zimbabwe)
• Maleh (Lesotho)
• Mpho Sebina (Botswana)
• Sefa (Ghana)