- Grammy-Award-winning artist Tyla leads the Metro FM Music Awards nominee list with six nominations, while Kabza De Small and Tyler ICU come a close second with five nominations each.
- The awards are scheduled for 27 April at Mbombela Stadium and will be broadcast live on SABC 1.
- The awards return for a second time following a half-decade hiatus after being marred by claims of corruption by Riky Rick during their 2017 staging.
After kicking the year off on a high note with a Grammy win and releasing her debut self-titled album, sultry singer Tyla bagged her first Metro FM Music Award nominations. The Joburg-born artist received six nominations in categories that included Song of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Best Viral Challenge for her hit single Water.
This year's staging of the Metro FM Music Awards, scheduled for Saturday, 27 April, at the Mbombela Stadium, was announced in January at the Kruger Gate Hotel in Mpumalanga. The Motsepe Foundation was announced as the headline sponsor for the celebration of singles and albums released between 28 February 2023 and 28 February 2024.
Coming in with five nominations each are Kabza De Small and Tyler ICU.
Kabza scored nominations in categories that included Best Produced Album, Best Collaboration, and Best Male Artist, while Tyler's nominations included Song of the Year, Best Viral Challenge and Artist of the Year.
Inkabi Zezwe, which consists of Sjava and Big Zulu, received four nominations, including Best Produced Album, Best African Pop, and Best Collaboration.
"The Metro FM Music Awards serve as a celebration of the vibrant tapestry of South African music where melodies become bridges that connect hearts and souls. It's a platform where artists, both established and emerging, showcase their passion and talent, igniting a symphony of inspiration and creativity," the radio station's business manager, Kina Nhlengethwa, said of the Black To The Future-themed award ceremony. "Beyond the glitz and glamour, these awards embody the relentless pursuit of excellence and the unwavering dedication to craft."
"We were delighted with the quality of the entries and the music. The artists that have been entered are truly of a world-class standard that competes with the rest of the musical world."
The awards returned to the same venue last year after a five-year hiatus. Initially scheduled for 29 April, the awards were postponed to 6 May due to "circumstances beyond our control".
After their 2017 staging in Durban, the awards were halted after being overshadowed by claims of corruption when Riky Rick slammed radio stations for their alleged lack of support of local musicians. He also alleged that record companies were "buying" awards.
See the full list of 2024 Metro FM Music Awards nominees:
Best Gospel Album:
Ntokozo Mbambo – Lavish Worship
Jumbo – Siyabonga
Hle – Take Heart
Best Jazz Album:
Amanda Freedom Ensemble – Oratoria Of A Forgotten Youth
Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane – Izibongo
Mbuso Khoza – Ifa Lomkhono
Bokani Dyer – Radio Sechaba
Vusi Mahlasela – Umoya: Embracing The Human Spirit
Best Produced Album:
De Mthuda & Da Muziqal Chef – Sgudi Snyc
Dlala Thukzin – Permanent Music 3
Inkabi Zezwe - Ukhamba
Kabza De Small & Mthunzi – Isimo
Kelvin Momo – Kurhula
Best Collaboration:
DJ Kent – Horns in the Sun (Thakzin remix) ft Thakzin, Brenden Praise, Mo T, Mörda
Kabza De Small & Mthunzi – Imithandazo ft DJ Maphorisa, Young Stunna, Sizwe Alakine, Umthakathi Kush
Inkabi Zezwe – Umbayimbayi
Tyler ICU – Mnike ft Tumelo ZA, DJ Maphorisa, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA, Tyron Dee
Mellow & Sleazy – Imnandi Lento ft Tman Xpress, Sjavas Da Deejay, TitoM
Song of the Year:
Oscar Mbo & KG Smallz – Yes God ft Dearson, Mörda, Mhaw Keys (Mhaw Keys remix)
DJ Kent – Horns in the Sun ft MoT, Brenden Praise, Mörda, Thakzin (Thakzin remix)
Kamo Mphela – Dalie ft Baby S.ON, Tyler ICU & Khalil Harrison
Tyla – Water
Kabza De Small & Mthunzi – Imithandazo ft DJ Maphorisa, Young Stunna, Sizwe Alakine, Umthakathi Kush
Dlala Thukzin – iPlan ft Zaba & Sykes
Tyler ICU – Mnike ft DJ Maphorisa, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA, Tyron Dee
Bassie & Aymos – Izenzo ft T-Man SA
De Mthuda & Da Muziqal Chef – Sgudi Sync ft Eemoh & Sipho Magudulela
DJ Stokie – Masithokoze ft Eemoh
Artist of the Year:
Tyla
Oscar Mbo
Tyler ICU
Mörda
Lwah Ndlunkulu
Best Viral Challenge:
Tyler ICU – Mnike ft Tumelo ZA, DJ Maphorisa, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA, Tyron Dee
Tyla – Water
Kamo Mphela 0 Dalie ft Baby S.O.N, Tyler ICU & Khalil Harrison
TitoM & Yuppe – Tshwala Bam ft S.N.E & EeQue
Tebza De DJ – Ka Valungu ft DJ Nomza The King
Best New Artist:
Harry Cane
Nontokozo Mkhize
Sykes
Robin Fassie
Shakes & Les
Best Duo/Group:
De Mthuda & Da Muziqal Chef
Inkabi Zezwe
Mellow & Sleazy
TitoM & Yuppe
Thee Legacy
Best Dance:
DJ Kent – Horns in the Sun ft Mo-T, Brenden Praise, Mörda, Thakzin (Thakzin remix)
Dlala Thukzin – iPlan ft Zaba & Sykes
Heavy K – Ulele ft Samthing Soweto, Thakzin & Professor
Mörda – Burning Bush ft Thakzin, Ihhashi Elimhlophe
Zakes Bantwini – Mama Thula ft Skye Wanda, Thakzin & Suffocate SA
Best Kwaito/Gqom:
DJ Kotin – Hello ft Big Nuz, Mshayi & Mr Thela
DJ Lag & Mr Nation Thingz – Hade Boss ft K.C Driller
Sykes – Sisestyleni Babies ft Skillz & RudeBoyz
Best Hip Hop:
Cassper Nyovest – 018 ft Maglera Doe Boy
Nasty C – Prosper In Peace ft Benny The Butcher
Khuli Chana – Khuliyano
DA L.E.S – Solo ft Mani World Star, Gemini Major & Navio
A-Reece – Ving Rhames
Best African Pop:
Inkabi Zezwe – Ukhamba
Lwah Ndlunkulu – Imizwa
Nomfundo Moh – Ugcobo
Zonke – Embo
Bongeziwe Mabandla – Amaxesha
Best Amapiano:
De Mthuda & Da Muziqal Chef – Sgudi Snyc ft Eemoh & Sipho Magudulela
Mellow & Sleazy – Imnandi Lento ft Tman Xpress, Sjavas Da Deejay, TitoM
Kabza De Small & Mthunzi – Imithandazo ft DJ Maphorisa, Young Stunna, Sizwe Alakine, Umthakathi Kush
Tyler ICU – Mnike ft Tumelo ZA, DJ Maphorisa, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA, Tyron Dee
DJ Stokie – Awukhuzeki ft Omit ST, Sobzeen, Zee_nhle
Best Music Video:
De Mthuda & Da Muziqal Chef – Sgudi Snyc ft Eemoh & Sipho Magudulela
Tyla – Water
Kamo Mphela – Dalie ft Baby S.O.N, Tyler ICU & Khalil Harrison
Mthandazo Gatya – In 2 U
Bassie & Aymos – Izenzo ft T-Man SA
Best Male:
Aymos
De Mthuda
Kelvin Momo
Mörda
Kabza De Small
Best Styled:
Zakes Bantwini
Mörda
DBN Gogo
Musa Keys
Oscar Mbo
Best R&B:
Filah Lah Lah – Call Me
Nanette & Blxckie – Talk 2 Me ft BGRZ
Tyla – Water
Mthandazo Gatya – In 2 U
Nontokozo Mkhize – Lu Strong ft Nomfundo Moh
Best Female:
Kamo Mphela
Ntokozo Mbambo
Tyla
Makhadzi
Lwah Ndlunkulu
Winners in each category will receive R50 000, while the Song of the Year winner will take home R150 000, courtesy of the Motsepe Foundation.