Metro FM Awards 2025: All the nominees

The awards will honour the best music released between 28 February 2024 and 28 February 2025.

This year’s edition received an unprecedented 2 769 entries across 19 categories, a remarkable increase from the 1 700 submissions in 2024. Amapiano remains the dominant force, with leading artists Kabza De Small, Scotts Maphuma and DJ Maphorisa securing four nominations each. Sjava, along with hip hop giants Kwesta and Cassper Nyovest, follows closely behind, each earning three nominations.

Winners in each category will receive a cash prize of R50 000, while the highly coveted Song of the Year award will come with a grand prize of R150 000, courtesy of the Motsepe Foundation, which is also sponsoring the Lifetime Achievement Award. African Fashion International (AFI) is supporting the Best Styled category, while Santam continues its sponsorship of the Best Artist award. Additionally, SAMPRA has been announced as the official sponsor of the Artist of the Year award.

Below is the full list of nominees:

Best Female Artist

• Xolly Mncwango
• Dbn Gogo
• Babalwa M
• Nontokozo Mkhize
• Makhadzi

Best R&B Song

• Shekhinah ft. Moliy – ‘Risk’
• Mawelele & Kwesta – ‘All My Life’
• Elaine – ‘Love Me Slowly’
• Langa Mavuso – ‘Best Friend (Control)’
• Nanette, Tellaman & Nasty C – ‘Tonight’

Best Dance Song

• Casswell P & Nobuhle – ‘Can’t Get
• Dlala Thukzin feat. Zeh McGeba, MK Productions – ‘Sohlala Sisonke’
• Chronical Deep, Leehleza, Kabza De Small ft. Latique, Ezra – ‘Hayi Baba’
• Oscar Mbo and Jazzworx feat. Thukuthela – ‘Vuka’
• CAIIRO ft Ami Faku – ‘Ndisize’

Best Hip Hop Song

• K.O ft. Maglera Doe Boy – ‘Let Me Cook’
• Usimamane & Sjava – ‘Uvalo’
• Emtee – ‘W’

Best Amapiano Song

• DJ Stokie – ‘Selimathunzi’
• Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma & ThabzaTee ft. DJ Maphorisa & Djy Biza – ‘Yebo Lapho (Gogo)’
• Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza ft. TmanXpress, LeemcKrazy – ‘Kwelanga 2.0’
• Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka, Focalistic, DJ Maphorisa, Scotts Maphuma, CowBoii – ‘Biri Marung’
• Blaq Major ft. Bless The Gentleman & DJ Kap – ‘Sdakiwe Sbali’

Song of the Year

• Blaq Major ft. Bless The Gentleman & DJ Kap – ‘Sdakiwe Sbali’
• Makhadzi, Prince Benza, Iyanya – ‘Number 1’
• WOODBLOCK DJS ft. Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta, Kane Keid – ‘Skuta Baba (Remix)’
• Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma & ThabzaTee ft. DJ Maphorisa & Djy Biza – ‘Yebo Lapho (Gogo)’
• CAIIRO ft. Ami Faku – ‘Ndisize’
• Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka, Focalistic, DJ Maphorisa, Scotts Maphuma, CowBoii – ‘Biri Marung’
• Shakes & Les ft. LeeMcKrazy – ‘Funk 99’
• Kabza De Small & Vigro Deep ft. Scotts Maphuma & Young Stunna – ‘Wishi Wishi’
• KMAT ft. CowBoii, djygubzin.live & Ranger – ‘MKK’

Best Artist of the Year

• Tyler ICU
• Kabza De Small
• Morda
• Makhadzi
• Kelvin Momo

Best Amapiano Song

• DJ Stokie, Zee_nhle, Sobzeen, Faith Strings – ‘Selimathunzi’
• Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma & ThabzaTee feat. DJ Maphorisa & Djy Biza – ‘Yebo Lapho (Gogo)’
• Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza ft. TmanXpress, LeemcKrazy – ‘Kwelanga 2.0’
• Mr Pilato, Ego Slimow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka x Focalistic x DJ Maphorisa x Scotts Maphuma x CowBoii – ‘Biri Marung’
• Blaq Major, Bless the General, Dj Kap – ‘Sdakiwe Sbali’

Best Hip Hop Song

• K.O ft. Maglera Doe Boy – ‘Let Me Cook’
• Usimamane & Sjava – ‘Uvalo’
• Emtee – ‘WAR’
• Skhandaworld, K.O & Nasty C – ‘Too Much’
• Tony Dayimane, Usimamane, Kwesta & Yanga Chief – ‘Wishlist’

Best Duo/Group

• Wanitwa Mos and Nkosazana Daughter
• Shakes and Les
• Black Motion
• Blaq Diamond

Best African Pop Song

• Nomfundo Moh ft. Msaki, Cassper Nyovest – ‘Umusa’
• Blaq Diamond – ‘Piki Piki’
• Naledi Aphiwe & Mawelele – ‘Romeo & Juliet’
• Mlindo The Vocalist & DJ Maphorisa ft. Tman xpress; Phila Dlozi – ‘Umdali’

Best Gospel Album

• Nontokozo Mkhize – Lindiwe
• SbuNoah – Heavenly Psalms Level 2
• Xolly Mncwango – Unusual
• Ayanda Ntanzi – According to Grace, A One Man Show
• Mmuso Worship – Jesus to the city V2

Best Male Artist

• Usimamane
• Dlala Thukzin
• Kabza de Small
• Kelvin Momo
• Tyler ICU

Best Styled Artist

• MaWhoo
• Focalistic
• Mörda
• Dbn Gogo
• Oscar Mbo

Best Kwaito/Gqom Song

• Funky Qla, Argento Dust & Maline Aura – ‘Utshwala’
• Mr Thela, Beast RSA, Mthandazo Gatya & Zanda Zakuza – ‘Ekhaya’
• Goldmax, Dlala Thukzin & Funky Qla ft Zee Nxumalo & Beast RSA – ‘FOMO’
• DJ Tira Feat. AmaTycooler, Big Nuz & Focus Magazi – ‘Singenzenjani’
• Goldmax & Blacks Jnr feat. Leemckraza – ‘Ama Weekend’

Best Jazz Album

• Nduduzo Makhathini – uNomkhubulwane
• Thandiswa Mazwai – Sankofa
• Linda Sikhakhane – iLadi
• Nomfundo Xaluva – Ndilapha
• Sydney Mavundla – Dirge for our Fathers

Best Viral Challenge

• Mr Pilato, Ego Slimow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka x Focalistic x DJ Maphorisa x Scotts Maphuma x CowBoii – ‘Biri Marung’
• Kabza De Small & Vigro Deep feat. Scotts Maphuma & Young Stunna – ‘Wishi Wishi’
• WOODBLOCK DJS – Mvelost; Set Off; Somololo – ‘Skuta Baba’
• Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma & ThabzaTee feat. DJ Maphorisa & Djy Biza – ‘Yebo Lapho (Gogo)’
• KMAT feat. CowBoii, djygubzin.live & Ranger – ‘MKK’

Best Produced Album

• Nontokozo Mkhize – Lindiwe
• Dlala Thukzin – Finally Famous Too
• Emtee – DIY 3
• Kelvin Momo – Ntsako
• Thandiswa Mazwai – Sankofa

Best New Artist

• Mawelele
• Phila Koshin
• Neo Dube

Best Collaboration Song

• Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma, Thabza Tee ft. DJ Maphorisa, Djy Biza – ‘Yebo Lapho (Gogo)’
• Mr Pilato, Ego Slimow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka x Focalistic x DJ Maphorisa x Scotts Maphuma x CowBoii – ‘Biri Marung’
• Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza ft. TmanXpress, LeemcKrazy – ‘Kwelanga 2.0’
• Woodblock DJs ft. Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta & Kane Keid – ‘Skuta Baba (Remix)’
• Kabza De Small, Vigro Deep & Dj Maphorisa feat. Scotts Maphuma; Young Stunna – ‘Wishi Wishi’