Urban Music Awards 2025 in SA: All the winners

Kamo Mphela was awarded Best Female Act, Best Live Performance, and the coveted Best Music Video for her explosive hit ‘Dalie’ alongside Khalil Harrison and Tyler ICU. Her triumph further cements her reputation as a dynamic force in dance music.

Mawelele claimed Best Newcomer, signalling a fresh chapter for Afrocentric urban sounds, while Mellow & Sleezy took home Best Group, beating out industry giants like Joyous Celebration and Major League DJz.

Collaboration proved to be a highlight this year. The hard-hitting single ‘Skuta Baba’ by Woodblock DJs, Cassper Nyovest, and Kwesta won Best Collaboration, and Best International Collaboration went to the much-anticipated duet ‘No.1’ between global stars Tyla and Tems. Nigerian powerhouse Davido was named International Artist of the Year, edging out contenders like Burna Boy and Wizkid.

In genre-specific categories, DJ Maphorisa dominated amapiano with a win for Best Amapiano Act, while Dlala Thukzin impressed in the electronic scene with wins for Best Gqom Act and Best Producer. Black Coffee reaffirmed his legacy by clinching Best House Music Act.

Now in its 21st edition, the Urban Music Awards continue to reflect the evolving soundscape of African music, merging local rhythms with global influences and highlighting both established and emerging talent.

Below is the full list of winners:

Artist of the Year

• Priddy Ugly
• Tyla
• Kabza De Small
• Lwah Ndlunkulu
• Kelvin Momo
• Usimamane
• Zee Nxumalo
• KO

Best Male Act

• Mthunzi
• Kabza De Small
• uGatsheni
• Kelvin Momo
• Blxxie
• Usimamane
• Scotts Maphumas Maphuma
• Lee-Mac
• Casper Nyovest
• Oscar Mbo

Best Female Act

• Kamo Mphela
• Tyla
• Lwah Ndlunkulu
• DJ Zinhle
• Ami Faku
• Makhadzi
• Nkosazana Daughter
• Uncle Waffles
• Boohle
• Mawhoo
• Babalwa M
• Brenda Mtambo

Best Newcomer

• Mawelele
• Naledi Aphiwe
• Lwah Ndlunkulu
• Scotts Maphuma
• Joliza
• Neo Dube
• Tony Dayimane
• Usimamane
• Dee Koala
• LaTique
• LeeMcKrazy

Best Group

• Mellow & Sleezy
• Artwork Sounds
• Black Motion
• Shakes & Les
• Justin 99 & PC
• Major League
• Skorpion Kings
• Joyous Celebration
• Shakes & Les
• Die Antwoord

Best Collaboration

• Woodblock Djs, Casper, Kwesta – ‘Skuta Baba’
• Kabza De Small & Mthunzi – ‘Isimo’
• Mellow & Sleazy, Sjavas De Deejay, TitoM – ‘Imnadi Lento’
• Die Piesangskille and Johan Balt – ‘Almal Gly’
• Tyla & DJ Lag – ‘Overdue’
• Makhadzi & Master KG – ‘Kulakwe’
• Elaine & Blxckie – ‘Loving You’
• KO & Nasty C – ‘Too Much’
• Scotts Maphuma, Maphorisa – ‘Biri Marung’
• Scotts Maphuma, Felo Le Tee, Thabza Tee – ‘Yebo Lapho’

Best Album

• 25k – Loyal to the Plug
• Kabza De Small & Mthunzi – Isimo
• De Mthuda – Baba Yaga
• Daliwonga – Dali Dali
• Kelvin Momo – Kurhula
• Tyla – Tyla
• Brenda Mtambo – Sane
• Morda – Crazy
• Pretty Ugly – Dust
• Sjava – Isbuko
• AKA – Mass Country

Best Amapiano Act

• DJ Maphorisa
• Kabza De Small
• Kelvin Momo
• De Mthuda
• Amos
• Felo Le Tee
• Leemackrazy
• Scotts Maphuma
• Uncle Waffles
• Baballwa M
• Tyla ICU
• Zee Nxumalo

Best Hip Hop Act

• Priddy Ugly
• Nasty C
• A-Reece
• Cassper Nyovest
• Blxckie
• Kwesta
• Usimamane
• Maglera Doe Boy
• Yanga Chief
• K.O

Best Gqom Act

• Dlala Thukzin
• Mr Thela
• DJ Lag
• RudeBoyz
• TNS
• Dladla Mshunqisi
• Goldmax
• DJ Tira
• Bhuda M
• Sparks Bantwana

Best Afro Pop Act

• Blaq Diamond
• Lwah Ndlunkulu
• Big Zulu
• Aubrey
• Ntate Stunna
• Vusi Nova
• Sjava
• Simmy
• Sun-El Musician
• Kelly Khumalo

Best House Music Act

• Black Coffee
• DJ Zinhle
• Culoe De Song
• Euphonik
• Heavy K
• Shimza
• Prince Kaybee
• Da Capo
• DJ Jaivane

Best R&B Act

• Langa Mavuso
• Elaine
• Lloyiso
• Ricky Tyler
• Jesse Clegg
• Rowlene
• Shekhinah
• Tellaman
• Brenden Praise
• Vusi Nova

Best Jazz Act

• Simphiwe Dana
• Judith Sephuma
• Marcus Wyatt
• Rorisang Sechele
• Nick Ford
• Lucas Senyatso
• Siyabonga Mthethwa
• Thandeka Dladla
• Nduduzo Makhathini

Best Gospel Act

• Soweto Gospel Choir
• Joyous Celebration
• Benjamin Dube
• Dr Tumi
• Ntokozo Mbambo
• Lebo Sekgobela
• Dumi Mkokstad
• Mahalia Buchanan
• Khaya Mthethwa
• Ncubeko Mbatha
• Ayanda Ntenzi
• Dube Brothers
• Mmatema
• Spirit Of Praise

Best Maskandi Act

• uGatsheni
• Mthandeni SK
• Izingane Zoma
• Khuthuza
• Ntencane
• Mjolisi
• Menzi Music
• Bahubhe
• Zwide
• Umafikizolo

Best Reggae & Dancehall Act

• Nkulee Dube
• The Rudimentals
• Tidal Waves
• Jah Seed
• Black Dillinger
• Azania Band
• Ras Dumisani

Best Producer

• Dlala Thukzin
• DJ Maphorisa
• Kabza De Small
• Sun-El Musician
• Master KG
• Vigro Deep
• Kelvin Momo
• TitoM and Yuppe
• Tyler ICU
• Nqubeko Mbatha

Best DJ

• Uncle Waffles
• Black Coffee
• DJ Zinhle
• Lamiez Holworthy
• Shimza
• DJ Tira
• DJ Maphorisa
• Tyler ICU
• Vigro Deep
• DJ Euphonik

Best Music Video

• Kamo Mphela, Khalil Harrison & Tyler ICU – ‘Dalie’ ft. Baby S.O.N
• TXC & Davido – ‘Yebo’ (Official Video) ft. Tony Duardo, LeeMckrazy & DJ Biza
• Wanitwa Mos, Master KG, Nkosazana Daughter – ‘Keneilwe’ (ft. Dalom Kids)
• K.O – ‘Let Me Cook’ (Official Music Video) ft. Maglera Doe Boy
• Tyler ICU – ‘Ebasini Wav.files’ ft. Leemckrazy, Tman Xpress, Ceeka RSA, Visca, AL Xapo, Sjavas DaDeejay
• Mr JazziQ x Vigro Deep – ‘Fede’ (Official Music Video)
• Vigro Deep, DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small (ft. Focalistic, Scotts Maphuma) – ‘A-Z (Yashi Moto)’
• Nasty C & @audiomarcdj – ‘For Certain’
• Usimamane & Rick Ross – ‘Dangerous II’
• Dee Koala – ‘Gwan’ (Official Music Video) ft. Maglera Doe Boy
• Priddy Ugly & Maglera Doe Boy ft. MashBeatz – ‘NTJA’KA’
• DJ Maphorisa, XDuppy, Sean1401 – ‘Ngibolekeni’ ft. Leemckrazy, Scotts Maphuma, Blxckie, Pcee, Kabelo Sings
• Uncle Waffles & Royal Musiq – ‘Wadibusa’ ft. Ohp Sage & Pcee (Official Music Video)
• Tyla, Sean Paul – ‘PUSH 2 START (REMIX)’
• TitoM & Yuppe – ‘Tshwala Bam’ ft. S.N.E & EeQue

Best Live Performance

• Kamo Mphela
• Cassper Nyovest
• Makhadzi
• Sjava
• Ami Faku
• Justin 99 & Pcee
• Uncle Waffles
• Priddy Ugly
• Maglera Doe Boy
• Zee Nxumalo
• Busiswa
• Toss

Best Radio Station

• Metro FM
• 5FM
• Ukhozi FM
• YFM
• Gagasi FM
• Kaya FM
• Capricorn FM
• Power FM
• Good Hope FM
• Jozi FM

Best Radio Show

• The Midday Link-up (Metro FM)
• The Touchdown with Tbo Touch (Metro FM)
• The Roger Goode Show (5FM)
• The Drive with Mo Flava (Metro FM)
• The Best T Drive (Ukhozi FM)
• The Big Breakfast Show (R2000)
• The Khaya Countdown (Kaya 959)
• The Eskhaleni Party (R2000)
• The Sound Supreme (Good Hope FM)
• The Big Breakfast with DJ Sabby (YFM)
• 5 Hip Hop Nights (5FM)
• The Fresh Breakfast (Metro FM)
• Weekend Breakfast with Thando Thabethe (947)

Best Music Television Show

• Mzansi House Countdown (Mzansi Magic)
• MTV Inside Life (MTV Base)
• SA Hits Countdown (MTV Base)
• Massive Music (Channel O)
• Channel O Top 30 (Channel O)
• JR’s Feel-Good Live Sessions (SABC 1)
• Gospel Unplugged (SABC 1)
• Connect (SABC 1)
• LunchTime Vibes (SABC1)
• Video Wall (eTV)
• Yash’ingoma (Mzansi Magic)

Best Online Music Platform

• SlikourOnLife
• VooVix TV
• Music In Africa
• OkayAfrica
• Trace Africa
• HYPE Magazine
• Channel O Online
• SA Hip-Hop Mag
• Zkhiphani
• YFM Online

Best Viral Breakthrough Song

• Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow & Tebogo G Mashego – ‘Biri Marung’ ft. DJ Maphorisa, Focalistic & Scotts Maphuma
• Uncle Waffles – ‘Tanzania’
• Young Stunna – ‘Adiwele’
• TitoM & Yuppe – ‘Tshwala Bam’
• Blxckie – ‘David’
• Tyla – ‘Water’
• Dlala Thukzin – ‘Sohlala Sonke’
• Uncle Waffles – ‘Wadibusa’
• K.O – ‘SETE’

International Artist of the Year

• Davido (Nigeria)
• Burna Boy (Nigeria)
• Wizkid (Nigeria)
• Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
• Tems (Nigeria)
• Fally Ipupa (DRC)
• Sarkodie (Ghana)
• Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
• Sauti Sol (Kenya)
• Omah Lay (Nigeria)
• Tyla (South Africa)
• Uncle Waffles (South Africa)

Best International Collaboration (South Africa x Global)

• Tyla & Tems – ‘No.1’
• Master KG & Nkosazana Daughter – ‘Makhelwane’
• Black Coffee & John Legend – ‘10 Missed Calls’
• DJ Maphorisa & Drake – ‘Amapiano Nights’
• Nasty C & Lil Wayne – ‘Dreams’
• Burna Boy Ft. Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Nasty C – ‘4 You’
• Makhadzi & Davido – ‘Tshikwama’
• Cassper Nyovest & Wizkid – ‘Starboy’
• Usimamane Ft. Rick Ross – ‘Dangerous’
• TitoM & Yuppe & Burna Boy – ‘Tshwala Bam’ (Remix) [ft. S.N.E]