UMP Music Awards 2025: All the nominees

Eli Njuchi, one of Malawi’s leading Afrobeats and R&B artists, received multiple nominations including Artist of the Year (Male), Album/EP of the Year for CIFU, and Best Afrobeats/Fusion Act. He also features in the Best Collaboration category through ‘Ju’ alongside Macelba.

Namadingo, another strong contender, secured nominations for Artist of the Year (Male), Song of the Year for ‘Tuli’, Best Live Act, and Best Music Video for the same track. His fan base, known as Nama Fans, has also been recognised in the Best Fans Award category. Namadingo is further nominated for Tourism Promotion and Humanitarian awards, underscoring his influence beyond music.

Zeze Kingston stands out with nods in Artist of the Year (Male), Best Amapiano Act, Best Live Act and Humanitarian Award. His growing prominence in Malawi’s Amapiano scene reflects the genre’s expanding footprint in the country’s music landscape.

Among female nominees, Jetu and Temwah lead with multiple appearances. Jetu is shortlisted for Artist of the Year (Female) and Song of the Year for ‘Pangolin’, while Temwah appears in Artist of the Year (Female) and Tourism Promotion Award.

Other strong contenders include Joe Ikon, who features in Artist of the Year (Male), Best New Artist (Male) and Best Amapiano Act, while Driemo’s ‘Magini’ competes for Song of the Year and Best Music Video.

In genre categories, Gwamba, Phyzix, and Toast are nominated for Best Hip Hop/Rap Act, while Driemo, Eli Njuchi, Kell Kay, Merchah and Onesimus dominate the Best Afrobeats/Fusion Act category.

The UMP Music Awards continue to honour excellence in Malawi’s music industry, celebrating both established and emerging talent. Special awards this year will recognise Wisdom Chitedze for Lifetime Achievement, while Burna Boy, Diamond Platnumz and Fally Ipupa are among the nominees for Global Impact.

Artist of the Year (Male)

• Eli Njuchi
• Joe Ikon
• Namadingo
• Onesimus
• Zeze Kingston

Artist of the Year (Female)

• Emmie Deebo
• Jetu
• Lady Aika
• Temwah
• Theresa Phondo

Song of the Year

• ‘Anemwe – Black Nina
• ‘Magini’ – Driemo
• ‘Pangolin’ – Jetu
• ‘Takulandirani’ – Masintha Women’s Choir
• ‘Tuli’ – Namadingo

Album/EP of the Year

• 20 Somethxngs – Praise Umali
• CIFU – Eli Njuchi
• Files – Toast
• Maluba – Merchah
• With Love, Makadi – Teddy Makadi

Best New Artist (Male)

• Aju Guffi
• Chain Oh Abebu
• Fred MW
• Joe Ikon
• Shano Index

Best New Artist (Female)

• Agulugufe
• Lady Aika
• Nae Rae
• Tink Oana
• Sife MW

Producer of the Year

• Cuff B
• Jmass
• Richard Billy
• Savage
• Tricky Beats

Best Gospel Act

• Kelvin Sings
• Masintha Women’s Choir
• Miracle Chinga
• Praise Umali
• Theresa Phondo
• Genre-Specific Categories

Best Hip Hop/Rap Act

• Bee Jay & Ace Jizzy
• Crispy Malawi
• Gwamba
• Phyzix
• Toast

Best Amapiano Act

• Afana Ceez
• Fada Moti
• Joe Ikon
• Trappy Beats & Cizzle
• Zeze Kingston

Best Reggae/Dancehall Act

• Chizmo Sting
• Malinga Mafia
• Sangie
• Sean Morgan
• Veda

Best Afrobeats/Fusion Act

• Driemo
• Eli Njuchi
• Kell Kay
• Merchah
• Onesimus

Best Traditional/Indigenous Music Act

• Agorosso
• Amidu
• Keturah
• Lawi
• Sife MW

Performance & Visual Excellence

Best Collaboration

• Ace Jeezy & Bee Jay ft Daredevils – ‘Jah Bless’
• Joe Ikon x Kineo & Aidfest – ‘Nkhawa Ndilibe’
• Kell Kay ft Macelba & Achina Gattah – ‘Sindizapanganso’
• Macelba ft Eli Njuchi – ‘Ju’
• Saint x Kell Kay – ‘Ndivailira’

Best Music Video

• ‘How You Do That’ – Toast ft. Kim of Diamonds
• ‘Magini’ – Driemo
• ‘Sikoyamba’ – Afana Ceez
• ‘Tuli’ – Namadingo
• ‘Vuu’ – Sean Morgan

Best Music Video Director

• Director Tonney
• Kantchowa Studios
• Keong Kadango
• Seany Films
• Twice P

Best Live Act

• Black Missionaries
• Maggie Kadrum
• Namadingo
• Gwamba
• Zeze Kingston

Best Duo or Group

• Aidfest & Kineo
• Bee Jay & Ace Jizzy
• Malimba Music
• Mario Bros
• Mzuzu Mafia

Africa/Regional/International Categories

African Artist of the Year

• Burna Boy
• Diamond Platnumz
• Tems
• Tyla
• Yo Maps

SADC Regional Artist of the Year

• Diamond Platnumz
• Mawhoo
• Onesimus
• Scotts Maphuma
• Yo Maps

Best West African Act

• Angelique Kidjo
• Davido
• Stone Bwoy
• Tems
• Ayra Starr

Best East African Act

• Diamond Platnumz
• Eddy Kenzo
• Fally Ipupa
• Khaligraph Jones
• Zuchu

Best North African Act

• Amr Diab
• Elgrande Toto
• Lartiste
• Tageel
• Wegz

Best New African Act

• Advokate I
• Eemoh
• King Paluta
• Majoos
• Winny

Global Impact Award

• Burna Boy
• Diamond Platnumz
• Fally Ipupa
• Master KG
• Tay Grin

Special Recognition

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Wisdom Chitedze

Tourism Promotion Award

• Bucci
• Namadingo
• Rashley
• Tay Grin
• Temwah

Humanitarian Award

• Emmi Deebo
• Gwamba
• Namadingo
• Piksy
• Zeze Kingston

Best Band

• Black Missionaries
• Diminish Band
• Madalitso Band
• Mibawa Band
• Visekese Band

Best Fans Award

• Abale Fans
• Eli Njuchi Fans
• Jetu's Fans
• Nama Fans (Namadingo)
• Zeze Kingston Fans