Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards 2021: All the nominees

Now in its sixth edition, the annual event celebrates musicians who have made significant contributions to the local kwaito and house scenes. The shortlisted acts were announced virtually by Ishmael ‘Skhokho’ Mpeoa and Whitney ‘DJ Lady Dimplez’ Molefinyana.

Kwaito group Trompies, who lost founding member Mjokes in May, lead the list with four nominations in the Best Kwaito/House/Gqom Group, Best Kwaito Single, Best Kwaito Song (2010 to 2015) and Best Collaboration categories. Trompies member Jakarumba is up for the Best Kwaito Artist Award.

Other notable nominees include DJ Cleo and Sun-El Musician in the Best DJ category. Black Motion is pitted against Citizen Deep in the Best House Single category, and Bucie and Msaki are competing in the Best House Artist category. Prince Kaybee got a nod in the Best Collaboration and Most Voted Song categories for his hit ‘Uwrongo’.

Voting lines will be open to the public until 17 September. To vote, the public can send an SMS with the keyword ‘MKHMA’, the category, and the name of the nominated artist to 40439. Voters should leave a space between the keyword, name of the category and artist’s name.

Below is the full list of nominees:

Best Producer

• DJ Maphorisa
• Guffy Pilane
• TNS
• Master KG

Best Kwaito Song (2010 to 2015)

• ‘Jezebel’ – Professor ft. DJ Tira (2010)
• ‘Hlokoloza’ – Arthur Mafokate (2011)
• ‘Sister Bettina’ – Mgarimbe (2013)
• ‘Senatla’ – Trompies (2014) 

Best Collaboration (Kwaito/Gqom/House/Amapiano)

• ‘Thandolwam Nguwe’ – Mr Brown & Rubber Soul ft. Zanda Zakuza & Makhadzi
• ‘Amanikiniki’ – MFR Souls ft Kamo Mphela, Bontle Smith, Major League DJ's
• ‘Uwrongo’ – Prince Kaybee ft Shimza, Black Motion & Ami Faku 
• ‘Ukhala Kanjani’ – Trompies ft Sjava & Mbuzeni

Best Station That Plays Kwaito

• Gagasi FM
• Ligwalagwala FM
• Mahikeng FM
• Radio 2000 

Best DJ

• DBN Gogo
• DJ Ganyani
• DJ Cleo
• Sun El-Musician 

Best House Artist

• Bucie
• Mpumi
• Msaki
• Naakmusiq 

2021 Special Category

• ‘Bhampa Mkhelele’ – Abofezela ft. Bob Mabena & Sibonelo
• ‘Ayoba’ – Gearboxx
• ‘Intwemnandi Remix’ – Mrijo The Havock
• ‘Muzika’ – Not Guilty ft. T-Man Gavini

Best New Kwaito Artist

• Abokaukau – ‘Abayaz’ iKwaito’
• Buda Da Element – ‘Dlala Mbijan’
• Castro ft. Nkozah, Chinaman & Spy 2 – ‘Namhlanje’
• Mr Jovilove – ‘Wena Wedwa’
• Mtezman – ‘Mongameli’
• OGK4Lyf ft. KB the Suspect – ‘Lokshin’
• Pizos – ‘iKasi’
• Slender Dee – ‘Banamanga’
• Slo’ Makoya – ‘Beach to Beach’
• Super Red C – ‘Nora’

Best Kwaito Single

• ‘Njandini’ – Kwesta
• ‘Sukuma Mkami’ – L’vovo & Danger ft. Mampintsha
• ‘Sekawinile’ – Professor ft. DJ Tira, Kamoo Letsosa and Pex Africah
• ‘Ukhala Kanjani’ – Trompies ft. Sjava and Mbuzeni

 Best New House Artist

• Chomza – ‘Skhaftin’
• DJ Sammy Dollar98 – ‘Could This Be’
• DJ Spencer Tmb – ‘Ntoyami’
• Siya Muziek – ‘Pretending To Be Fine’

 Best House Single

• ‘Marry Me’ – Black Motion ft. Msaki
• ‘Sabela’ – Citizen Deep ft. Thiwe
• ‘Tsamaya’ – Heavy K ft. Professor
• ‘Yekokwam’ – Leroy Styles & Zakes Bantwini

 Best New Amapiano Artist

• EL Rhythms – ‘Supaman’
• Mashankura SA – ‘Skobo’
• Mbizo ft. MFR Souls & Tshepo King – ‘Jabulisa Abantu’
• Scylash ft. Masoja – ‘Lenyora’

Best New Age Kwaito Artist

• Chakalaka ft. Stan B & Miss V – ‘Can’t Get’
• DJ Tseva – ‘Spiritual’
• DJ Zbu Sgebengu – ‘Beef Ka Malambani’
• Kaitist Joe – ‘Makhwapheni’
• Man T – ‘Ke Nako’
• Mdavovo – ‘Kaptein’
• Rova City – ‘Kuyezwakala’
• Seshmoola & Bravo – ‘Ujes’uhlal’eZola’
• Success SA – ‘Ama’Boza’
• Taminology – ‘One Time’

Best Music Video

• ‘Ama Mask’ – Anaconda ft. Ntosh Gazi
• ‘Long Live Kwaito’ – Jamaika Convers ft. Mabuzza
• ‘Nkulunkulu’ – Kamo Mphela
• ‘Murahu’ – Makhadzi ft. Mr Brown

 Best Group Or Duo (Kwaito/House/Gqom/Amapiano)

• Bongo Maffin
• MFR Souls
• Soul Majestik
• Trompies

 Best Amapiano Song

• ‘Amanikiniki’ – MFR Souls
• ‘John Vuli Gate’ – Mapara A Jazz ft. Ntosh Gazi & Colano
• ‘Ke Star’ – Focalistic ft. Vigro Deep
• ‘Khuza Gogo’ – DBN Gogo, Blaqnick & MasterBlaq ft Mpura, M.J. & Ama Avenger

 Best Kwaito Artist

• L’vovo
• Jakarumba
• Picat
• Professor

Best Gqom Artist

• Andile Mpisane
• Tipcee
• Mampintsha
• Madanon

 Most Voted Song

• ‘Emcimbini’ – Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa ft. Samthing Soweto, Aymos, Mas Musiq & Myztro
• ‘John Vuli Gate’ – Mapara A Jazz ft. Ntosh & Colano
• ‘Ntyilo Ntyilo’ – Rethabile Khumalo ft. Master KG
• ‘Uwrongo’ – Prince Kaybee ft. Shimza, Black Motion & Ami Faku