The MetroFM Music Awards 2025 are set to bring glamour, star power and recognition to South Africa’s biggest musical talents.
What to expect from this year’s MetroFM Awards
Hosted under the theme “Crowning Greatness”, this year’s ceremony aims to honour musicians who have played a key role in shaping South African music and culture.
The event returns to the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga on Saturday, 3 May 2025, and promises a dazzling display of performances and prestigious recognitions.
Viewers can expect appearances from some of the country’s top performers, including Master KG, Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, Black Motion, K.O., and Zee Nxumalo.
The show will be led by popular media personalities LootLove and Scoop Makhathini as main stage hosts, while Dineo Ranaka and L-Tido will handle backstage duties in the green room.
The stylish black carpet, sponsored by the Motsepe Foundation, will be hosted by Anele Zondo and Mpumi Mlambo.
Each category winner this year will receive R50,000 in prize money, with the Song of the Year winner taking home R150,000. Additional sponsorships from Santam, SAMPRA, and African Fashion International (AFI) will enhance several key categories.
MetroFM Awards 2025 date and how to watch live
The awards will take place on Saturday, 3 May 2025, at Mbombela Stadium.
For those not attending in person, the entire event will be broadcast live on SABC1 and streamed on SABC+ starting at 20:00.
The event is hosted in partnership with the Mpumalanga Provincial Government and supported by several sponsors including the Motsepe Foundation.
MetroFM Awards 2025: Here are the nominees
The MetroFM Awards 2025 received a record-breaking 2,769 entries across 19 categories, a big increase from last year’s 1,700.
Amapiano artists lead the nominations with Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, and Scotts Maphuma each receiving four nods. Sjava’s iNkabi Nation follows with three nominations.
Hip-hop heavyweights Kwesta and Cassper Nyovest also secured three nominations each.
This year’s awards celebrate hits and cultural impact, turning artists into icons and ensuring their work becomes part of the nation’s musical history.
Here are the nominees:
| Category | Nominee |
|---|---|
| Best Female Artist | Xolly Mncwango |
| Dbn Gogo | |
| Babalwa M | |
| Nontokozo Mkhize | |
| Makhadzi | |
| Best RnB Song | Shekhinah ft. Moliy – Risk |
| Mawelele & Kwesta – All My Life | |
| Elaine – Love Me Slowly | |
| Langa Mavuso – Best Friend (Control) | |
| Nanette, Tellaman & Nasty C – Tonight | |
| Best Dance Song | Casswell P & Nobuhle – Can’t Get |
| Dlala Thukzin feat. Zeh McGeba, MK Productions – Sohlala Sisonke | |
| Chronical Deep, Leehleza, Kabza De Small ft. Latique, Ezra – Hayi Baba | |
| Oscar Mbo and Jazzworx Feat. Thukuthela – Vuka | |
| CAIIRO ft Ami Faku – Ndisize | |
| Best Styled Artist | MaWhoo |
| Focalistic | |
| Morda | |
| Dbn Gogo | |
| Oscar Mbo | |
| Best Kwaito/Gqom Song | Funky Qla, Argento Dust & Maline Aura – Utshwala |
| Mr Thela, Beast RSA, Mthandazo Gatya & Zanda Zakuza – Ekhaya | |
| Goldmax, Dlala Thukzin & Funky Qla ft Zee Nxumalo & Beast RSA – FOMO | |
| DJ Tira Feat. AmaTycooler, Big Nuz & Focus Magazi – Singenzenjani | |
| Goldmax & Blacks Jnr feat. Leemckrazy – Ama Weekend | |
| Best Jazz Album | Nduduzo Makhathini – uNomkhubulwane |
| Thandiswa Mazwai – Sankofa | |
| Linda Sikhakhane – iLadi | |
| Nomfundo Xaluva – Ndilapha | |
| Sydney Mavundla – Dirge for our fathers | |
| Best Music Video | WOODBLOCK DJS ft Buzzi Lee, Kane Keid, Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta, Tony Dayimane, Mvelost, Set Off, Somololo – Skuta Baba (Remix) |
| CAIIRO ft Ami Faku – Ndisize | |
| Usimamane & Sjava – Uvalo | |
| Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza ft. TmanXpress, LeemcKrazy – Kwelanga 2.0 | |
| Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka x Focalistic x Dj Maphorisa x Scotts Maphuma x CowBoii |
| Category | Nominee |
|---|---|
| Best Viral Challenge | Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka x Focalistic x Dj Maphorisa x Scotts Maphuma x CowBoii – BIRI MARUNG |
| Kabza De Small & Vigro Deep feat. Scotts Maphuma & Young Stunna – Wishi Wishi | |
| WOODBLOCK DJS – Mvelost; Set Off; Somololo – Skuta Baba | |
| Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma & ThabzaTee feat. DJ Maphorisa & Djy Biza – Yebo Lapho (Gogo) | |
| KMAT Feat. CowBoii, djygubzin.live & Ranger – MKK | |
| Best Produced Album | Nontokozo Mkhize – Lindiwe |
| Dlala Thukzin – Finally Famous Too | |
| Emtee – DIY 3 | |
| Kelvin Momo – Ntsako | |
| Thandiswa Mazwai – Sankofa | |
| Best New Artist | Mawelele |
| Phila Koshin | |
| NEO DUBE | |
| Best Collaboration Song | Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma, Thabza Tee ft. DJ Maphorisa, Djy Biza – Yebo Lapho (Gogo) |
| Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka x Focalistic x Dj Maphorisa x Scotts Maphuma x CowBoii – Biri Marung | |
| Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza ft. TmanXpress, LeemcKrazy – Kwelanga 2.0 | |
| Woodblock DJs ft. Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta & Kane Keid – SKUTA BABA (Remix) | |
| Kabza De Small, Vigro Deep & Dj Maphorisa feat. Scotts Maphuma; Young Stunna – Wishi Wishi | |
| Artist of The Year | Tyler ICU |
| Kabza de Small | |
| Morda | |
| Makhadzi | |
| Kelvin Momo | |
| Song of the Year | Blaq Major Ft. Bless The Gentleman & Dj Kap – Sdakiwe Sbali |
| Makhadzi; Prince Benza; Iyanya – Number 1 | |
| WOODBLOCK DJS ft Buzzi Lee, Kane Keid, Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta, Tony Dayimane. – SKUTA BABA Remix | |
| Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma & ThabzaTee feat. DJ Maphorisa & Djy Biza – Yebo Lapho (Gogo) | |
| Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza ft. TmanXpress, LeemcKrazy – Kwelanga 2.0 | |
| Caiiro ft Ami Faku – Ndisize | |
| Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka x Focalistic x Dj Maphorisa x Scotts Maphuma x CowBoii – BIRI MARUNG | |
| Shakes & Les feat. LeeMcKrazy – Funk 99 | |
| Kabza De Small & Vigro Deep feat. Scotts Maphuma & Young Stunna – Wishi Wishi | |
| KMAT feat. CowBoii, djygubzin.live & Ranger – MKK | |
| Best Amapiano Song | Dj Stokie – Zee_nhle; Sobzeen; Faith Strings – Selimathunzi |
| Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma & ThabzaTee feat. DJ Maphorisa & Djy Biza – Yebo Lapho (Gogo) | |
| Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza ft. TmanXpress, LeemcKrazy – Kwelanga 2.0 | |
| Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka x Focalistic x Dj Maphorisa x Scotts Maphuma x CowBoii – Biri Marung | |
| Blaq Major – Bless the General; Dj Kap – Sdakiwe Sbali | |
| Best Hip Hop Song | K.O ft. Maglera Doe Boy – Let Me Cook |
| Usimamane & Sjava – Uvalo | |
| Emtee – WAR | |
| SKHANDAWORLD, K.O & Nasty C – Too Much | |
| Tony Dayimane, Usimamane, Kwesta & Yanga Chief – Wishlist | |
| Best Duo/Group | Wanitwa mos & Nkosazana Daughter |
| Shakes & Les | |
| Black Motion | |
| Blaq Diamond | |
| Artwork Sounds | |
| Best African Pop Song | Nomfundo Moh ft. Msaki, Cassper Nyovest – Umusa |
| Blaq Diamond – Piki Piki | |
| Naledi Aphiwe & Mawelele – Romeo & Juliet | |
| Sjava & The Qwellers ft. Sastii, LaCabra, Lowfeye & Blue Papi – Typhoon | |
| Mlindo The Vocalist & Dj Maphorisa ft. Tman xpress; Phila Dlozi – Umdali | |
| Best Gospel Album | Nontokozo Mkhize – Lindiwe |
| SbuNoah – Heavenly Psalms Level 2 | |
| Xolly Mncwango – Unusual | |
| Ayanda Ntanzi – According to Grace, A One Man Show | |
| Mmuso Worship – Jesus to the city V2 | |
| Best Male Artist | Usimamane |
| Dlala Thukzin | |
| Kabza de Small | |
| Kelvin Momo | |
| Tyler ICU |