Urban Music Awards South Africa opens public voting for 2026 nominations

The second South African edition follows the inaugural event held at Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria in May 2025. This year’s nominations recognise artists, musicians, producers, DJs and other contributors across the country’s music industry.

The shortlist covers several genres, including amapiano, Afro-house, hip hop, maskandi, gospel, R&B, jazz, gqom and lekompo. New categories introduced for 2026 include Song of the Year, Best Lekompo Act, Best Bacardi Act, Best Choir or Choral Group and Best Emerging Urban Act.

Among the nominated artists are Tyla, CIZA, Zee Nxumalo, Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, Shandesh, MaWhoo, Sam Deep, Nasty C, Kelvin Momo, Kharishma, Makhadzi, Dlala Thukzin, Young Stunna, Lwah Ndlunkulu, JAZZWRLD and Thukuthela.

The shortlist also features emerging acts, including Nayvee Womculo, G-Jealous, N T S A K O XVI, Siphiwe Black, De Rose and BabyDaiz.

Voting details

• Public voting is open to music fans and will take place exclusively online.
• Voting opens: 11 November 2026 at 3pm.
• Voting closes: 7 December 2026 at 12pm.
• Voting platform: www.urbanmusicawards.org/voting-southafrica.
• Awards ceremony: 9 December 2026.
• Venue: Theatre of Marcellus, Emperors Palace, Johannesburg.
• Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony.

The 2026 edition is presented by Worldcharts.co, with support from Douwe Egberts South Africa, Invincible Nation, Theatre of Marcellus and Madepossible.ai.

Established in the United Kingdom in 2003, the Urban Music Awards recognises achievements across Hip-Hop, R&B, Gospel, Jazz, Reggae, Dance, Soul and related genres. Its South African edition was launched in May 2025 as part of its international expansion.

Further information about the ceremony, special honours and media accreditation is expected through the awards' official channels.

Below is the full list of nominees:

Artist of the Year

• Kabza De Small
• Kelvin Momo
• DJ Maphorisa
• DJ Zinhle
• Sam Deep
• MaWhoo
• CIZA
• JAZZWRLD & Thukuthela
• Nasty C
• Zee Nxumalo
• Dlala Thukzin
• Shandesh
• Umafikizolo

Best Male Act

• TOSS
• Cassper Nyovest
• Nasty C
• Priddy Ugly
• Manana
• Kabza De Small
• Kelvin Momo
• Sam Deep
• CIZA
• Sjava
• Dlala Thukzin
• Loatinover Pounds
• Young Stunna
• Maglera Doe Boy
• Mzukulu
• DJ Maphorisa
• Umafikizolo

Best Female Act

• DJ Zinhle
• Uncle Waffles
• MaWhoo
• Zee Nxumalo
• Thatohatsi
• Lwah Ndlunkulu
• Makhadzi
• Shekhinah
• HLE
• Nontokozo Mkhize
• Nanette
• Shandesh
• Kharishma
• Nkosazana Daughter
• Nomcebo Zikode

Best Newcomer

• BigBaller_Ceo
• Shandesh
• Kharishma
• Khadeair
• Goon Flavour
• Nkeshemba
• Thatohatsi
• Feza
• Nayvee Womculo
• Gemma Fassie
• Lumanyano Mzi
• vuyo viwe
• N T S A K O XVI
• Siphiwe Black
• G-Jealous
• De Rose
• Busigold
• Mafuthi Madondo
• Sakhile

Best Group

• Mi Casa
• Freshlyground
• Black Motion
• Afrikan Roots
• JAZZWRLD & Thukuthela
• Mellow & Sleazy
• Major League DJz
• TxC
• Inkabi Nation
• Locnville
• Mmuso Worship
• Scorpion Kings
• Zulu Queens
• Shakes & Les
• Artwork Sounds
• Joyous Celebration
• Blacks Jnr, Dankie Boi & GoldMax

Best Collaboration

• Sam Deep, Nia Pearl & Boohle feat. Mano — Shela
• MaWhoo, GL_Ceejay & Thukuthela feat. JAZZWRLD — Bengicela
• Tman Xpress & Mellow & Sleazy — Remember
• DJ Zinhle, Nayvee Womculo & Young Stunna — Nayvee’s Prayer
• Black Motion & Spice Drums feat. DJ Buckz — Monateng
• Manana feat. Nasty C — Alright
• Nadia Nakai & TOSS — Blind
• JAZZWRLD, Thukuthela, Babalwa M & Dlala Thukzin — uValo
• Thatohatsi & Sjava feat. ShaunMusiq — Ama hem hem
• Zulu Queens, Lwah Ndlunkulu, MaWhoo & Feza — Distance
• CIZA, Tems, Omah Lay, Thukuthela, JAZZWRLD & Lekaa Beats — Isaka II (6am)
• TxC, Davido, Scotts Maphuma & Shoday feat. Al Xapo & Zlatan — Nakupenda
• N T S A K O XVI, Shaun 101, Uncool MC & Ch'cco feat. Scotts Maphuma — NGEKE
• DJ Smallz, ZinedinexSguche, 031choppa & Uncool MC — ZEP
• Zee Nxumalo, Skillz & Sykes — Mamma
• Focalistic, Optimist Music ZA, Benzoo, Mellow & Sleazy feat. Mr JazziQ — Gumba Fire
• Sam Deep & Thatohatsi — Thandaza

Best Album

• Kabza De Small — Bab’Motha
• Kelvin Momo — Thato Ya Modimo
• Nasty C — Free
• JAZZWRLD & Thukuthela — The Most Wanted
• Shekhinah — Less Trouble
• MaWhoo — Amazwi Okubonga
• Lwah Ndlunkulu — Amaciko
• HLE — THE GROUND WE’RE ON
• Tyla — A*POP
• Loatinover Pounds — Ground 2 Glory
• ThaboSmol — Di THUPA TSA SMOL
• Mr. Mercedes — S’PHARELA
• Danya Devs — Bayede
• Dlala Thukzin — MAYVIS
• Young Stunna — Busisiwe
• MÖRDA — Asante III
• Blxckie — YENA
• Babalwa M — Acquiesce
• Busi Sibiya — Heart of Worship Vol. 1
• Musa Yende — Sustained by Grace

Best Amapiano Act

• Kabza De Small
• Kelvin Momo
• DJ Maphorisa
• Sam Deep
• Uncle Waffles
• Mellow & Sleazy
• Tman Xpress
• Focalistic
• De Mthuda
• Babalwa M
• Scotts Maphuma
• Vigro Deep
• Young Stunna
• DJ Jaivane
• Nia Pearl

Best Hip Hop Act

• Nasty C
• Loatinover Pounds
• Priddy Ugly
• Cassper Nyovest
• K.O
• Kwesta
• Yanga Chief
• Big Zulu
• Emtee
• A-Reece
• FLVME
• MashBeatz
• Stogie T
• Maglera Doe Boy
• Usimamane
• Blxckie
• Danya Devs

Best Gqom Act

• DJ Lag
• DJ Tira
• Dladla Mshunqisi
• Beast RSA
• Funky Qla
• Blacks Jnr
• Dankie Boi
• GoldMax
• Mr Thela
• Cairo CPT
• QUE
• CampMasters
• General C'Mamane
• Babes Wodumo

Best Afro Pop Act

• Lwah Ndlunkulu
• Sjava
• CiCi
• Nomfundo Moh
• Samthing Soweto
• Makhadzi
• Zee Nxumalo
• Tyla
• Mi Casa
• Freshlyground
• Simphiwe Dana
• Zawadi Yamungu
• Kelly Khumalo
• Mawelele
• Naledi Aphiwe
• Vusi Nova
• Simmy
• Jabulile Majola
• Nonny Muji

Best House Music Act

• JAZZWRLD & Thukuthela
• Dlala Thukzin
• CIZA
• MaWhoo
• MÖRDA
• Da Capo
• DJ Zinhle
• Black Motion
• Afrikan Roots
• Darque
• Atmos Blaq
• Calvin Fallo
• Black Coffee
• Shimza
• Sun
• -El Musician
• Zakes Bantwini
• Mpho.Wav
• Culoe De Song

Best R&B Act

• Rowlene
• Manana
• Shekhinah
• Nanette
• lordkez
• Langa Mavuso
• Una Rams
• Lloyiso
• Naledi Aphiwe
• Mawelele
• Gemma Fassie
• Lucille Slade
• Elaine
• Maxine Ceasar
• Anica Kiana

Best Jazz Act

• Mandisi Dyantyis
• Judith Sephuma
• Andile Yenana
• Benjamin Jephta
• Paras "Sibalukhulu" Dlamini
• Temba Ncetani
• Lumanyano Mzi
• Billy Monama
• Nduduzo Makhathini
• Linda Sikhakhane
• vuyo viwe
• ThaboSmol
• Tutu Puoane
• Simphiwe Dana

Best Gospel Act

• HLE
• Nontokozo Mkhize
• Xolly Mncwango
• Musa Yende
• Mmatema
• Nothando Hlophe
• Nqubeko Mbatha
• Ncebakazi Msomi
• Brenden Praise
• Bucy Radebe
• Sindi Ntombela
• Dumi Mkokstad
• Busi Sibiya

Best Maskandi Act

• Mzukulu
• Ntencane
• Inkos’yamagcokama
• G-Jealous
• Nkeshemba
• Umafikizolo
• Mthandeni SK
• LIMIT NALA
• MENZI
• Saliwa
• Mbuzeni
• Smiramira
• Khuzani
• Feza
• Mshinwemali
• Sminofu
• uGatsheni

Best Reggae and Dancehall Act

• DIMAHR
• Don Dada
• Ras Canly
• Layahn King
• Red I Scorch
• Skeleton Blazer
• Gaba
• Botanist Mr Lamington
• Empress Gqama
• King Rush
• Musical Dynasty
• Undefynd
• Empress Deevyne
• Nkulee Dube
• Black Dillinger
• Tidal Waves
• The Rudimentals

Best Producer

• DJ Maphorisa
• Vigro Deep
• Mr. Mercedes
• Spice Drums
• Kabza De Small
• Kelvin Momo
• Sam Deep
• JAZZWRLD
• Thukuthela
• Dlala Thukzin
• ShaunMusiq
• MashBeatz
• Master KG
• DJ Lag
• Mr Thela
• Mvzzle
• Hitboss SA

Best DJ

• DJ Maphorisa
• Kabza De Small
• Uncle Waffles
• Vigro Deep
• DJ Zinhle
• Kelvin Momo
• Sam Deep
• Dlala Thukzin
• Major League DJz
• TxC
• DJ Lag
• Oskido
• DBN Gogo
• Shimza
• Oscar Mbo
• Lamiez Holworthy
• Black Coffee
• DJ Jaivane
• DJ Tira

Best Music Video

• Black Motion & Spice Drums feat. DJ Buckz — Monateng
• Manana feat. Nasty C — Alright
• Sam Deep, Nia Pearl & Boohle feat. Mano — Shela
• Nasty C & Blxckie — Leftie (Dlala Ngcobo)
• Kamo Mphela, Aymos, QUE DJ & Jay Music feat. SpacePose — Partii
• Msaki, Jesse Clegg & Sjava — Wayside Lover
• DJ Maphorisa, Xduppy & Kabza De Small feat. Thatohatsi, Young Stunna & Nkosazana Daughter — Abantwana Bakho
• CIZA, JAZZWRLD & Thukuthela — Isaka (6am)
• lordkez — You, Me & the 90’s
• TxC, Davido, Scotts Maphuma & Shoday feat. Al Xapo & Zlatan — Nakupenda
• Uncle Waffles & Royal Musiq feat. CowBoii, Xduppy & Uncool MC — Zenzele
• Zee Nxumalo, Skillz & Sykes — Mamma
• Tyla — CHANEL
• Kharishma, DJ Angelo, Buddy Sax & DJ Janisto — Wa Inama
• CiCi & Naledi Aphiwe — Amen
• Nkosazana Daughter — Emsakazweni
• MaWhoo, GL_Ceejay & Thukuthela feat. JAZZWRLD — Bengicela
• Future & Tyla — Game Time

Best Live Performance

• Kelvin Momo
• Scorpion Kings
• Uncle Waffles
• Sjava
• Freshlyground
• vuyo viwe
• Makhadzi
• Nasty C
• Tyla
• Black Motion
• Manana
• Nanette
• Dlala Thukzin
• Sun-El Musician
• Zee Nxumalo
• Kamo Mphela
• Focalistic
• Young Stunna

Best Radio Station

• METRO FM
• Ukhozi FM
• Kaya 959
• Radio 2000
• 5FM
• Gagasi FM
• YFM
• Good Hope FM
• Capricorn FM
• Jozi FM
• Umhlobo Wenene FM
• Lesedi FM
• 947

Best Radio Show

• The Urban Beat — METRO FM
• Top 40 on 5 — 5FM
• 5 Nights Charts — 5FM
• The Kaya Countdown — Kaya 959
• The Jazz Standard — Kaya 959
• The World Show — Kaya 959
• The Lounge Experience — Kaya 959
• On the Beat — Kaya 959
• Saturday Select — Kaya 959
• Spade of Hearts — Kaya 959
• Urban Top 40 — Gagasi FM
• SA Top 30 — Tshwane FM 93.6
• The Midday Linkup — METRO FM
• The Touchdown — METRO FM
• The Way Up — YFM
• On the Streets with Majorsteez — YFM
• METRO FM Top 30 — METRO FM
• The Penthouse Sessions — METRO FM
• The Agenda — YFM
• Hype Factory — YFM
• 5 Drive — 5FM
• The Glow Up — YFM

Best Online Music Platform

• SlikourOnLife
• HYPE Magazine South Africa
• Music In Africa
• The Yanos Magazine
• The Journalist DJ
• Zkhiphani
• SA Hip-Hop Mag
• SA Music Magazine
• OkayAfrica
• QueenSoulVibesSA
• Texx and the City
• YOMZANSI
• Spotify South Africa
• Apple Music South Africa
• ZAtunes
• Audiomack
• YouTube Music South Africa

Best Viral Breakthrough Song

• MaWhoo, GL_Ceejay & Thukuthela feat. JAZZWRLD — Bengicela
• Sam Deep, Nia Pearl & Boohle feat. Mano — Shela
• DJ Zinhle, Nayvee Womculo & Young Stunna — Nayvee’s Prayer
• Tman Xpress & Mellow & Sleazy — Remember
• Thatohatsi & Sjava feat. ShaunMusiq — Ama hem hem
• Feza — Umaqondana
• Feza — Sengithole Omunye
• G-Jealous feat. KaMaphanga — Luqale sakudlala
• Zulu Queens, Lwah Ndlunkulu, MaWhoo & Feza — Distance
• Focalistic, Optimist Music ZA, Benzoo, Mellow & Sleazy feat. Mr JazziQ — Gumba Fire
• Shandesh & Hitboss SA feat. Wendy M — Sefela sa Lekompo
• CIZA, Tems, Omah Lay, Thukuthela, JAZZWRLD & Lekaa Beats — Isaka II (6am)
• Kharishma, DJ Angelo, Buddy Sax & DJ Janisto — Wa Inama
• DJ Smallz, ZinedinexSguche, 031choppa & Uncool MC — ZEP
• N T S A K O XVI, Shaun 101, Uncool MC & Ch'cco feat. Scotts Maphuma — NGEKE
• Bello B & Dladla Mshunqisi feat. Anathii Deejay & FROSTIYANO — BETHII BETHII
• Umafikizolo — Uyoncengwa Unyoko
• Zee Nxumalo, Skillz & Sykes — Mamma
• Master KG feat. Nomcebo — Jerusalema

Best International Collaboration South Africa and Global

• CIZA, Tems, Omah Lay, Thukuthela, JAZZWRLD & Lekaa Beats — Isaka II (6am)
• TxC, Davido, Scotts Maphuma & Shoday feat. Al Xapo & Zlatan — Nakupenda
• DJ Maphorisa, DJ Tunez, Wizkid & Mavo — Money Constant
• DJ Maphorisa, DJ Tunez & Wizkid feat. Daliwonga & Madumane — Abangani
• DJ Maphorisa, DJ Tunez & Wizkid feat. Zaba & Zeh McGeba — Fiesta
• Tyla & Wizkid — Dynamite
• Travis Scott, Tyla & Vybz Kartel — PBT
• Damiano David, Tyla & Nile Rodgers — Talk to Me
• Cardi B feat. Tyla — Nice Guy
• MOLIY & Tyla — Body Go
• Tyla feat. Zara Larsson — She Did It Again
• CIZA, Francis Mercier & DJ Ngamla No Tarenzo — Maria
• Fireboy DML, JAZZWRLD & Thukuthela — IMALI
• Davido, JAZZWRLD & GL_Ceejay — I Know Who I Be
• Sting & Zakes Bantwini — Desert Rose (Zakes Bantwini Remix)
• Costa Titch & Ma Gang Official featuring Pheelz & BoiBizza — International
• Future & Tyla — Game Time
• Major League DJz, Thabza De Soul & Idd Aziz — Nipe Kitu

Best Bacardi Act

• Jelly Babie
• BigBaller_Ceo
• Sia_TheBee
• Dimphowadiwave
• Beekay Da Deejay
• Zela Force
• Terra Fontain
• Almighty Zoro
• Black Boy
• Koki The Mic
• Mellow & Sleazy
• Benzoo

Song of the Year

• Nomcebo Zikode feat. Mthunzi — Thelumoya
• Umafikizolo — Uyoncengwa Unyoko
• Sam Deep, Nia Pearl & Boohle feat. Mano — Shela
• MaWhoo, GL_Ceejay & Thukuthela feat. JAZZWRLD — Bengicela
• Tyla — CHANEL
• Zee Nxumalo, Skillz & Sykes — Mamma
• Kharishma, DJ Angelo, Buddy Sax & DJ Janisto — Wa Inama
• Tman Xpress & Mellow & Sleazy — Remember
• DJ Zinhle, Nayvee Womculo & Young Stunna — Nayvee's Prayer
• Mshinwemali featuring Sne Ntuli — Myeke
• Thatohatsi & Sjava feat. ShaunMusiq — Ama hem hem
• G-Jealous feat. KaMaphanga — Luqale sakudlala

Best Lekompo Act

• Kharishma
• Shandesh
• Janesh
• Shebeshxt
• Mvzzle
• Hitboss SA
• Tribby Wadi Bhozza
• Naqua SA
• KayCherlow NLL
• Natiey Lepaka
• Abi wa Mampela

Best Choir or Choral Group

• Kopano Chorus
• Young Singers
• Mompati Arts Chorus
• Baemedi Ba Tumelo
• Image of God Choristers
• Sons of Peace
• Lefelleng Apostolic Church Choir
• Ithemba Youth Choir
• Dominion Church in Christ
• Umlazi Gospel Choir The Original
• Iminqweno Yethu
• Soweto Gospel Choir

Best Emerging Urban Act

• N T S A K O XVI
• G-Jealous
• Siphiwe Black
• Nayvee Womculo
• Nkeshemba
• Khadeair
• Mshinwemali
• De Rose
• BabyDaiz
• Calvin Fallo
• K.Keed