MASO Music Awards 2025 in Malawi: All the nominees

17 nov 2025 - 12:40

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

The organisers of the 2025 MASO Music Awards have released the full list of nominees ahead of the ceremony scheduled for 13 December at the Bingu International Conference Centre Auditorium in Lilongwe. This year’s edition will be held under the theme Creating Wealth Through Exporting Arts.

Onesimus is among the nominees.

The awards highlight work across Malawi’s music, film, fashion, visual arts and media sectors.

Among the leading contenders for Best Artist (Male) are Namadingo, Onesimus, Eli Njuchi, Teddy Makadi, Joe Ikon, Kell Kay, Driemo and Praise Umali. The Best Artist (Female) category includes Lady Aika, Sangie, Theresa Phondo, Temwa, Jetu and Sife Mw.

The Best Upcoming Artist awards feature emerging acts such as Top Tik, Lyvwa, Eugine Reign, Ajuh Guffi, Naerae, Oath and Rossetta.

In the Best Song category, several of the year’s biggest tracks have been recognised, including ‘Tuli’ by Namadingo, ‘Pangolin’ by Jetu, ‘Magini’ by Driemo and ‘By Faith’ by Lady Aika. Collaborative projects have also been highlighted in the Best Collabo category, which features works such as ‘Ndikubereka’ by Trappy Beats & Cizzle and ‘Nditayenda Nanu’ by Theresa Phondo featuring Namadingo.

Albums released over the past year have been acknowledged in Best Album, with nominations for Eli Njuchi’s Cifu, Teddy Makadi’s With Love Makadi and Praise Umali’s 20 Somethings, among others. Visual storytelling in music has also been recognised through the Best Music Video category, which includes ‘Lawi’ by Eugine Reigns, ‘Ndatopa’ by Kell Kay and ‘Tuli’ by Namadingo.

Producers and directors shaping Malawi’s contemporary sound and visuals appear in categories such as Best Producer and Best Music Video Director, while gospel music features strongly across Best Gospel Act, Best Gospel Song and related categories.

Other categories within the music segment include Best Duo/Group, Best Club DJ, Best Hip Hop Act, Best Afro Soul Act, Best Local Sound Act, Best Dancehall Act, Best RnB & Pop Act, Best Stage/Live Performance and Best Southern African Performance.

Beyond music, the awards also recognise achievement in film, with categories such as Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Feature Film and Best Film Series. Fashion, visual arts, poetry and content creation are also represented, acknowledging a wide spectrum of creative work across the country. Institutions offering arts-related training have been nominated for Best Pro Arts University/College, while honorary awards this year include the MASO Lifetime Achievement Award, the MASO Humanitarian Award and the MASO Innovative Entrepreneur of the Year.

The MASO Music Awards aim to celebrate artistic excellence across Malawi’s creative industries. The winners will be announced during the ceremony in Lilongwe on 13 December.

Below is the full list of nominees:

Best Artist (Male)

Namadingo
Onesimus
Eli Njuchi
Teddy Makadi
Joe Ikon
Kell Kay
Driemo
Praise Umali

Best Artist (Female)

Lady Aika
Sangie
Theresa Phondo
Temwa
Jetu
Sife Mw

Best Upcoming Artist (Male)

Top Tik
Joe Ikon
Lyvwa
Chain Oh Abebu
Eugine Reign
Loiso
Ajuh Guffi
Viddix

Best Upcoming Artist (Female)

Naerae
Christar Kyla
Oath
Annette Nandine
Morale The Rapper
Tink Oana
Rossetta
Stacey

Best Song

‘Tuli’ — Namadingo
‘Aumvere Fungo’ — Waison Makalamu & Various Artists
‘Pangolin’ — Jetu
‘Magini’ — Driemo
‘Tabwera’ — Onesimus
‘Chedwa’ — Ajuh Guffi
‘Composure’ — Eli Njuchi
‘By Faith’ — Lady Aika

Best Collabo

‘Ndikubereka’ — Trappy Beats & Cizzle
‘Khalidwe’ — Lulu & Driemo
‘Nkhawa Ndilibe’ — Joe Ikon, Aidfest & Kineo
‘Nditayenda Nanu’ — Theresa Phondo ft. Namadingo
‘Sinzapanganso’ — Kell Kay ft. Macelba & Achina Gattah Aise
‘Composure’ — Charisma ft. Zeze Kingston
‘Jah Bless’ — BeeJay & Ace Jeezy ft. Daredevils
‘Superstar’ — Chizmo, K Banton, Ace Jizzy, Bee Jay & Veda Njuchi

Best Album

‘Cifu’ — Eli Njuchi
‘Maluba’ — Merchah
‘With Love Makadi’ — Teddy Makadi
‘20 Somethings’ — Praise Umali
‘Files’ — Toast
‘The King Against the World’ — Med C
‘Udikirebe’ — Amidu Ellan
‘Lameki’ — Provoice
‘Faith + Hope + Love’ — Theresa Phondo

Best Music Video

‘Lawi’ — Eugine Reigns
‘Pray for Me’ — Theresa Phondo ft. Praise Umali
‘Ndatopa’ — Kell Kay
‘Sikoyamba’ — Afana Ceez
‘Magini’ — Driemo
‘Cigarette’ — Onesimus
‘How Are You?’ — Mic Mash
‘Tuli’ — Namadingo

Best Producer

Richard Billy
J Mass
Chawa Beats
Cuff B
Tricky Beats
BFB
Savage
DJ Megi

Best Music Video Director

Seany Films
Keong Kadango
Twice P
Staffa Awash
Ron Cz
VJ Ken
Director Tonney
Director Kante

Best Gospel Act (Male)

Kelvin Sings
Paul Kachala
Beracah
Alex Nkalo
Simplice Bless
Madalitso Banda

Best Gospel Act (Female)

Miracle Chinga
Theresa Phondo
Shyreen
Chisomo Chimoto
Masintha Women’s Choir
Likiliki Ladies

Best Gospel Song

‘Wake Wake’ — Great Angels Choir
‘M’modzi’ — Miracle Chinga
‘Kuyenda Nanu’ — Theresa Phondo ft. Namadingo
‘Chilengedwe’ — Likiliki Ladies
‘Jehovah’ — Kelvin Sings
‘Takulandirani’ — Masintha Women’s Choir
‘Kungoyamika’ — Chisomo Chimoto

Best Duo/Group