Metro FM Music Awards 2026: All the winners

Shandesh was named Best Female Artist, adding to a strong showing for new-generation performers, while Musa Keys claimed Best Styled Artist for his distinctive visual identity and stage presence.

In the genre categories, Siphamandla ‘Paras’ Dlamini won Best Jazz Album for Ingoma Busuku, ahead of Mandisi Dyantyis, Judith Sephuma, Andile Yenana and Benjamin Jeptha, while Musa Yende secured Best Gospel Album with Sustained by grace, edging Xolly Mncwango, Nontokozo Mkhize, Mmatema and Nothando Hlophe.

Jazzwrld and Thukuthela took Best Produced Album for Most wanted, beating entries from Kabza De Small, Sam Deep, Stixx and Nvcho, as well as Kelvin Momo and Lwah Ndlunkulu. The duo also featured prominently in collaboration-driven categories throughout the evening.

The Best Collaboration award went to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makhathini and Mbuso Khoza for You make me Happy, selected ahead of projects by Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle and Mano, as well as Jazzwrld, Mawhoo, Thukuthela and Gl_ceejay, and Goon Flavour, Master KG and Eemoh.

Song of the Year was awarded to Umafikizolo for ‘Uzoncengwa unyoko’, which topped a competitive field including DJ Maphorisa’s star-studded Abantwana Bakho, Mawhoo and Jazzwrld’s Bengicela, Sam Deep’s ‘Shela’, and Ciza’s ‘Isaka’, among others.

In the digital and engagement categories, Goon Flavour, Master KG and Eemoh won Best Viral Challenge for Ngishutheni, while Shandesh and Mvzzle’s Sdudla or Slender also featured among the most popular entries alongside DJ Smallz’s Zep and Umafikizolo’s Uyoncengwa Unyoko.

The Best R&B Song category went to Una Rams for Priceless Possession, with Lordkez’s Aweh, Naledi Aphiwe and Mawelele’s Come Duze, Lloyiso’s Higher and Langa Mavuso’s Dangerous completing the shortlist.

Khuzani secured Best Maskandi for Umanikinikana, ahead of entries by Umafikizolo, Simonofu and Zee Nxumalo, Mzukulu and Intombi Yasolundi, and Siya Ntuli.

In hip hop, Stogie T, Nasty C, Maggz and A-Reece won Best Hip Hop for ‘Four Horsemen’, surpassing Yanga Chief, Big Zulu featuring Emtee, Makwa featuring Kwesta, and K.O featuring Cassper Nyovest.

The Best Dance category was won by Jazzwrld, Mawhoo, Thukuthela and Gl_ceejay for Uzizwa kanjani, while Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle and Mano’s Shela earned Best Music Video.

Kharishma won Best Lekompo with Wa inama, while Best Amapiano went to Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle and Mano for Shela, reflecting the continued dominance of the genre across the awards.

DJ Tira, Pcee, Campmasters and General C’mamane were awarded Best Kwaito/Gqom for ‘Awungazi’, ahead of Dladla Mshunqisi and Beast RSA, DJ Lag, Zee Nxumalo and KC Driller, Kamo Mphela’s collective entry, and Bello B and We Dem Boyz.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makhathini and Mbuso Khoza also claimed Best African Pop for ‘You make Me Happy’, further cementing their impact across multiple categories at the ceremony.

Kharishma was named Best New Artist, while Thukuthela and Jazzwrld won Best Duo or Group, reflecting their strong collaborative presence throughout the awards.

In special honours, Ladysmith Black Mambazo were recognised as Global Icon, Ihashi Elimhlophe received the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Wilson B Nkosi was honoured with the Long Service Award, marking a night that celebrated both contemporary success and enduring contributions to South African music.

Below is the full list of winners:

Best Jazz Album

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

Best Gospel Album

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

Best Produced Album

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

Best Collaboration

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

Song of the Year

• Umafikizolo – ‘Uzoncengwa Unyoko’
• 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 – ‘Abantwana Bakho’
• Mawhoo, Gl_ceejay, Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – ‘Bengicela’
• Khadeair, Peekay Mzee & Kaytah – ‘Magumba’
• Jazzwrld, Mawhoo, Thukuthela & Gl_ceejay – ‘Uzizwa kanjani’
• Shandesh & Mvzzle – ‘Sdudla or Slender’
• Goon Flavour, Master KG & Eemoh – ‘Ngishutheni’
• Ciza, Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – ‘Isaka’

Best Viral Challenge

• Goon Flavour, Master KG & Eemoh – ‘Ngishutheni’
• DJ Smallz, Zinedinex, Sguche, 031 Choppa & Uncool MC – ‘Zep’
• Mluucisian, Ricky Lenyora, DJ Maphorisa, Vulela Maweekend, Mark Khoza & Angekenanuye MC – ‘Malacosta’
• Shandesh & Mvzzle – ‘Sdudla or Slender’
• Umafikizolo – ‘Uyoncengwa Unyoko’

Best Female Artist

• Shandesh
• Mawhoo
• Lordkez
• Zee Nxumalo
• Lwa Ndlunkulu

Best Styled Artist

• Musa Keys
• Dali Wonga
• K.O
• Vusi Nova
• Zee Nxumalo

Best R&B Song

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

Best Maskandi

• Khuzani – ‘Umanikinikana’
• Umafikizolo – ‘Uzoncengwa Unyoko’
• Simonofu & Zee Nxumalo – ‘Sajola Kamnandi’
• Mzukulu & Intombi Yasolundi – ‘Ubu Ghost Bami’
• Siya Ntuli – ‘Amaphiko’

Best Male Artist

• Ciza
• Sam Deep
• 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

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

Best Music Video

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

Best Lekompo

• Kharishma, DJ Angelo, Buddy Sax & DJ Janisto – ‘Wa inama’
• Janesh & Hitboss – ‘Ngwanaka’
• 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 – ‘Abantwana Bakho’
• 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, Tracy & Thatohatsi – ‘Ngiyozama’

Best Kwaito/Gqom

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

Best African Pop

• Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makhathini & Mbuso Khoza – ‘You Make Me Happy’
• Lwah Ndlunkulu – ‘Mnakwethu’
• Naledi Aphiwe, Blxckie & Lily Faith – ‘Waiting for you’
• Mawelele & Naledi Aphiwe – ‘Buya Ekhaya’
• Samthing Soweto – ‘Deda’

Best New Artist

• Kharishma
• Shandesh
• Khadeair
• Goon Flavour
• Nkeshemba

Artist of the Year

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

Best Duo or Group

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

Global Icon

• Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Lifetime Achievement

• Ihashi Elimhlophe

Long Service Award

• Wilson B Nkosi