Check Out the METRO FM Music Awards 2026 Full Nominees List

Check Out the METRO FM Music Awards 2026 Full Nominees List. The event that many have been waiting for in anticipation finally happened. The METRO FM Music Awards nominations took place on Thursday 26th February at The Forum in Hyde Park, in Johannesburg.

The nomination announcement saw amapiano producer and DJ Sam Deep emerging as the most nominated artist, securing nods across several major categories. He is followed closely by the veteran DJ Maphorisa, and the phenomenal Zee Nxumalo and Shandesh.

Check out the full list of the nominations below,

Best Jazz Album

• Mandisi Dyantyis – Intlambululo: ukuhlambulula
• Judith Sephuma – When winter fades
• Andile Yenana – Way out is in
• Benjamin Jeptha – Homecoming Revisited
• Siphamandla ‘Paras’ Dlamini – Ingoma Busuku

Best Gospel Album

• Xolly Mncwango – Unusual live / Deluxe
• Nontokozo Mkhize – The live experience
• Musa Yende – Sustained by grace
• Mmatema – Heart of gratitude
• Nothando Hlophe – A new dawn

Best Produced Album

• Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – Most wanted
• Kabza De Small – Bab Motha
• Sam Deep, Stixx and Nvcho – Kings of kwapi
• Kelvin Momo – Thato ya modimo
• Lwah Ndlunkulu – Amaciko

Best Collaboration

• Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle & Mano – Shela
• Jazzwrld, Mawhoo, Thukuthela & Gl_ceejay – Uzizwa Kanjani
• Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makhathini & Mbuso Khoza – You make me happy
• Mawhoo, Gl_ceejay, Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – Bengicela
• Goon Flavour, Master KG & Eemoh – Ngishutheni

Song of the Year

• Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle & Mano – Shela
• DJ Smallz, 031 Choppa & Uncool MC – Zep
• DJ Maphorisa, Xduppy, Kabza De Small, Thatohatsi, Young Stunna & Nkosazana Daughter – AbantwanaBakho
• Mawhoo, Gl_ceejay, Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – Bengicela
• Khadeair, Peekay Mzee & Kaytah – Magumba
• Jazzwrld, Mawhoo, Thukuthela & Gl_ceejay – Uzizwakanjani
• Shandesh & Mvzzle – Sdudla or Slender
• Goon Flavour, Master KG & Eemoh – Ngishutheni
• Umafikizolo – Uzoncengwa unyoko
• Ciza, Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – Isaka

Best Viral Challenge

• DJ Smallz, Zinedinex, Sguche, 031 Choppa & Uncool MC – Zep
• Mluucisian, Ricky Lenyora, DJ Maphorisa, VulelaMaweekend, Mark Khoza & Angekenanuye MC – Malacosta
• Goon Flavour, Master KG & Eemoh – Ngishutheni
• Shandesh & Mvzzle – Sdudla or Slender
• Umafikizolo – Uzoncengwa unyoko

Best Female Artist

• Mawhoo
• Lordkez
• Zee Nxumalo
• Shandesh
• Lwah Ndlunkulu

Best Styled Artist

• Musa Keys
• Daliwonga
• K.O
• Vusi Nova
• Zee Nxumalo

Best R&B Song

• Lordkez – Aweh
• Una Rams – Priceless Possession
• Naledi Aphiwe & Mawelele – Come Duze
• Lloyiso – Higher
• Langa Mavuso – Dangerous

Best Maskandi

• Umafikizolo – Uzoncengwa unyoko
• Simonofu & Zee Nxumalo – Sajola Kamnandi
• Mzukulu & Intombi Yaselundi – Ubu Ghost Bami
• Khuzani – Umanikinikana
• Siya Ntuli – Amaphiko

Best Male Artist

• Sam Deep
• Ciza
• Kabza De Small
• Kelvin Momo
• DJ Maphorisa

Best Hip Hop

• Stogie T, Nasty C, Maggz & A-Reece – Four Horsemen
• Yanga Chief – What if (Mngani)
• Big Zulu ft. Emtee – Abazazi bafunani
• Makwa ft. Kwesta – Umguzumbane we Summer
• K.O ft. Cassper Nyovest – Supa Nova

Best Dance

• Mawhoo, Gl_ceejay, Thukuthela & Jazzwrld – Bengicela
• Khadeair, Peekay Mzee & Kaytah – Magumba
• Ciza, Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – Isaka
• Jazzwrld, Thukuthela, Babalwa M & Dlala Thukzin – Uvalo
• Jazzwrld, Mawhoo, Thukuthela & Gl_ceejay – Uzizwakanjani

Best Music Video:

• Zee Nxumalo, Skillz & Sykes – Mamma
• Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makhathini & Mbuso Khoza – You make me happy
• Lordkez – Aweh
• Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle & Mano – Shela
• Ciza, Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – Isaka

Best Lekompo

• Janesh & Hitboss – Ngwanaka
• Kharishma, DJ Angelo, Buddy Sax & DJ Janisto – Wainama
• Shandesh & Mvzzle – Sdudla or Slender
• Shebeshxt, Naqua SA, Zee Nxumalo & Slidoo Man – Rato Laka
• Mvzzle, Mawhoo, Natiey Lepaka & Janesh – Leskandi 2.0

Best Amapiano

• Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle & Mano – Shela
• DJ Maphorisa, Xduppy, Kabza De Small, Thatohatsi, Young Stunna & Nkosazana Daughter – AbantwanaBakho
• DJ Maphorisa, Focalistic, Ricky Lenyora, Uncool MC, Mellow & Sleazy – Dlala ka yona
• DJ Jaivane, Smaki 08, Wesley Keys & De Rose – Lutho
• Kabza De Small, Sykes, Young Stunna, Nkosazana Daughter, Tracy & Thatohatsi – Ngiyozama

Best Kwaito / Gqom

• Dladla Mshunqisi & Beast RSA – Puku Puku
• DJ Lag, Zee Nxumalo & KC Driller – Ngyasindelwa
• DJ Tira, Pcee, Campmasters & General C’mamane – Awungazi
• Kamo Mphela, Aymos, Que DJ & Space Ose – Partii
• Bello B & We Dem Boyz – Dubai

Best African Pop

• Lwah Ndlunkulu – Mnakwethu
• Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makhathini & Mbuso Khoza – You make me happy
• Naledi Aphiwe, Blxckie & Lily Faith – Waiting for you
• Mawelele & Naledi Aphiwe – Buya Ekhaya
• Samthing Soweto – Deda

Best New Artist

• Shandesh
• Khadeair
• Kharishma
• Goon Flavour
• Nkeshemba

Artist of the Year

• DJ Maphorisa
• Sam Deep
• Ciza
• Shandesh
• Zee Nxumalo

Best Duo or Group

• Thukuthela & Jazzwrld
• Dladla Mshunqisi & Beast RSA
• Inkabi Nation
• Focalistic & Ch’cco
• Major League DJs