The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is proud to announce the nominees for the METRO FM Music Awards 2025. These nominations feature music singles and albums released between 28 February 2024 and 28 February 2025.
This year, the station received an impressive 2,769 entries across 19 categories, a significant increase from last year’s 1,700 entries.
Amapiano continues to lead the pack, with genre kings Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, and Scotts Maphuma topping the list with four (4) nominations each. iNkabi Nation’s Sjava follows closely with three (3) nominations, while Hip hop royalty, Kwesta and Cassper Nyovest also secured three (3) nominations each.
METRO FM also unveiled the much-awaited theme for this year’s ceremony. This year’s theme is “Crowning Greatness”. “Crowning Greatness”, elevates the achievements of those who shape the South African cultural narrative. It is a celebration of Black Royalty – a night where hits are not only celebrated but become timeless pieces of our shared legacy. Honouring the fact that the evening is more than an award show; it’s a coronation, where artists are crowned as cultural icons, and their contributions are immortalized.
The METRO FM Music Awards 2025 will take place on Saturday, 03 May 2025 at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga and will be broadcast live on SABC1.
The METRO FM Music Awards 2025 is proudly hosted by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government and sponsored by the Motsepe Foundation.
In an effort to add more value to the awards, the Motsepe Foundation will be providing a cash prize of R50,000 to each category winner, and a grand prize of R150,000 to the Song of the Year winner.
The Motsepe Foundation is sponsoring the Song of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement award and African Fashion International (AFI) is supporting the Best Styled category. Santam, remains a proud supporter of the Best Artist category. Additionally, METRO FM is pleased to announce SAMPRA, as the sponsor of the prestigious Artist of the year.
Below is the full list of Nominees:
Best Female Artist
1. Xolly Mncwango
2. Dbn Gogo
3. Babalwa M
4. Nontokozo Mkhize
5. Makhadzi
Best RnB Song
1. Shekhinah ft. Moliy Risk
2. Mawelele & Kwesta All My Life
3. Elaine Love Me Slowly
4. Langa Mavuso Best Friend (Control)
5. Nanette, Tellaman & Nasty C Tonight
Best Dance Song
1. Casswell P & Nobuhle Can’t Get
2. Dlala Thukzin feat. Zeh McGeba, MK Productions Sohlala Sisonke
3. Chronical Deep, Leehleza, Kabza De Small ft. Latique, Ezra Hayi Baba
4. Oscar Mbo and Jazzworx Feat. Thukuthela Vuka
5. CAIIRO ft Ami Faku Ndisize
Best Styled Artist
1.MaWhoo
2. Focalistic
3. Morda
4. Dbn Gogo
5. Oscar Mbo
Best Kwaito/Gqom Song
1. Funky Qla, Argento Dust & Maline Aura Utshwala
2. Mr Thela, Beast RSA, Mthandazo Gatya & Zanda Zakuza Ekhaya
3. Goldmax, Dlala Thukzin & Funky Qla ft Zee Nxumalo & Beast RSA FOMO
4. DJ Tira Feat. AmaTycooler, Big Nuz & Focus Magazi Singenzenjani
5. Goldmax & Blacks Jnr feat. Leemckrazy Ama Weekend
Best Jazz Album
1. Nduduzo Makhathini uNomkhubulwane
2. Thandiswa Mazwai Sankofa
3. Linda Sikhakhane iLadi
4. Nomfundo Xaluva Ndilapha
5. Sydney Mavundla Dirge for our fathers
Best Music Video
1. WOODBLOCK DJS ft Buzzi Lee, Kane Keid, Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta, Tony Dayimane, Mvelost, Set Off, Somololo Skuta Baba (Remix)
2. CAIIRO ft Ami Faku Ndisize
3. Usimamane & Sjava Uvalo
4. Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza ft. TmanXpress, LeemcKrazy Kwelanga 2.0
5. Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka x Focalistic x Dj Maphorisa x Scotts Maphuma x CowBoii BIRI MARUNG
Best Viral Challenge
1. Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka x Focalistic x Dj Maphorisa x Scotts Maphuma x CowBoii BIRI MARUNG
2. Kabza De Small & Vigro Deep feat. Scotts Maphuma & Young Stunna Wishi Wishi
3. WOODBLOCK DJS – Mvelost; Set Off; Somololo Skuta Baba
4. Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma & ThabzaTee feat. DJ Maphorisa & Djy Biza Yebo Lapho (Gogo)
5. KMAT Feat. CowBoii, djygubzin.live & Ranger MKK
Best Produced Album
1. Nontokozo Mkhize Lindiwe
2. Dlala Thukzin Finally Famous Too
3. Emtee DIY 3
4. Kelvin Momo Ntsako
5. Thandiswa Mazwai Sankofa
Best New Artist
1.Mawelele
2.Phila Koshin
3.NEO DUBE
Best Collaboration Song
1. Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma, Thabza Tee ft. DJ Maphorisa, Djy Biza Yebo Lapho (Gogo)
2. Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka x Focalistic x Dj Maphorisa x Scotts Maphuma x CowBoii Biri Marung
3. Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza ft. TmanXpress, LeemcKrazy Kwelanga 2.0
4. Woodblock DJs ft. Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta & Kane Keid SKUTA BABA (Remix)
5. Kabza De Small, Vigro Deep & Dj Maphorisa feat. Scotts Maphuma; Young Stunna Wishi Wishi
Artist of The Year
1. Tyler ICU
2. Kabza de Small
3. Morda
4. Makhadzi
5. Kelvin Momo
Song of the Year
1. Blaq Major Ft. Bless The Gentleman & Dj Kap – Sdakiwe Sbali
2. Makhadzi; Prince Benza; Iyanya Number 1
3. WOODBLOCK DJS ft Buzzi Lee, Kane Keid, Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta, Tony Dayimane. SKUTA BABA Remix
4. Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma & ThabzaTee feat. DJ Maphorisa & Djy Biza Yebo Lapho (Gogo)
5. Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza ft. TmanXpress, LeemcKrazy Kwelanga 2.0
6. Caiiro ft Ami Faku Ndisize
7. Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka x Focalistic x Dj Maphorisa x Scotts Maphuma x CowBoii BIRI MARUNG
8. Shakes & Les feat. LeeMcKrazy Funk 99
9. Kabza De Small & Vigro Deep feat. Scotts Maphuma & Young Stunna Wishi Wishi
10. KMAT feat. CowBoii , djygubzin.live & Ranger MKK
Best Amapiano Song
1. Dj Stokie – Zee_nhle; Sobzeen;Faith Strings Selimathunzi
2. Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma & ThabzaTee feat. DJ Maphorisa & Djy Biza Yebo Lapho (Gogo)
3. Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza ft. TmanXpress, LeemcKrazy Kwe langa 2.0
4. Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka x Focalistic x Dj Maphorisa x Scotts Maphuma x CowBoii Biri Marung
5. Blaq Major – Bless the General; Dj Kap Sdakiwe sbali
Best Hip Hop Song
1. K.O ft. Maglera Doe Boy Let Me Cook
2. Usimamane & Sjava Uvalo
3. Emtee WAR
4. SKHANDAWORLD, K.O & Nasty C Too Much
5. Tony Dayimane, Usimamane, Kwesta & Yanga Chief Wishlist
Best Duo/Group
1. Wanitwa mos & Nkosazana Daughter
2. Shakes & Les
3. Black Motion
4. Blaq Diamond
5. Artwork Sounds
Best African Pop Song
1. Nomfundo Moh ft. Msaki, Cassper Nyovest Umusa
2. Blaq Diamond Piki Piki
3. Naledi Aphiwe & Mawelele Romeo & Juliet
4. Sjava & The Qwellers ft. Sastii, LaCabra, Lowfeye & Blue Papi Typhoon
5. Mlindo The Vocalist & Dj Maphorisa ft. Tman xpress; Phila Dlozi Umdali
Best Gospel Album
1. Nontokozo Mkhize Lindiwe
2. SbuNoah Heavenly Psalms Level 2
3. Xolly Mncwango Unusual
4. Ayanda Ntanzi According to Grace, A One Man Show
5. Mmuso Worship Jesus to the city V2
Best Male Artist
1. Usimamane
2. Dlala Thukzin
3. Kabza de Small
4. Kelvin Momo
5. Tyler ICU
