The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has revealed the nominees for the 17th Metro FM Awards, with murdered rapper AKA standing a chance to bag up to six awards posthumously when the show returns after an absence of half a decade.
The nominees were chosen out of 900 entries with AKA clinching nominations in multiple categories for Lemons (Lemonade), including Song and Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration, Best Hip Hop Artist, Best Male Artist, and Best Music Video.
The slain artist jointly leads the nominees list with rapper Sjava who also bagged six nominations for his songs Isoka and Isubuko.
Winners will be announced across 18 categories at the 2023’s Metro FM Awards ceremony, which is set for the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga on 6 May, with the SABC saying it has been working hard to ensure proper “compliance”.
The Metro FM Awards got tarnished with multiple serious allegations of corruption, vote rigging and “buying of awards” that, combined with the South African public broadcaster’s precarious financial situation, led to its cancellation following the last time it took place in 2017 in Durban.
“We are excited to have reached the second stage of the road to the Metro FM Awards,” said Metro FM business manager, Kina Nhlengethwa.
“We congratulate all the nominees, as this signifies that their hard work and impact in the industry does not go unnoticed. The station went an extra mile to ensure that there are measures in place to screen properly all entries received for compliance with the relevant rules of the awards. The rules, regulations and submission checklist were all published on Metro FM platforms. As the awards are based on the public voting for their favourite artists in the respective categories, we urge the nominees to go out hard and campaign to their fans!”
The 17th Metro FM Awards nominees are:
Song of the Year
K.O for Sete
AKA for Lemons (Lemonade)
Konke & Musa Keys for Kancane
Aymos for Fatela
Big Nuz for Ngeke
Kabza De Small for Khusela
Betusile Mcinga for Ngena Noah
Gaba Cannal for Healer Ntliziyo Yam
Sjava for Isoka
Wanitwa Mos for Sofa Silahlane
Best Afrosoul-Pop
Sjava for Isibuko
Zuko SA for Andikalibali
Brenda Mtambo for Enza Kwenzeke
Inkabi Nation for Voicemail
Mlindo The Vocalist for Lindokuhle
Best Amapiano Song
Deep London for Hamba Wena
Gaba Cannal for Healer Ntliziyo Yam
Kabza De Small for Khusela
Daliwonga for Abo Mvelo
Wanitwa Mos for Sofa Silahlane
Artist of the Year
K.O for Sete
Wanitwa Mos for Sofa Silahlane
AKA for Lemons (Lemonade)
Nomfundo Moh for Izibusiso
Sjava for Isoka
Best Jazz Album
Linda Sikhakhane for Isambulo
Nduduzo Makhathini for In the Spirits of Ntu
Spartz for Awake
Best New Age R&B Artist
Manana for Patiently
MOE for Me Ever After
ThandoNje for Our Story: Untold
Venom & Shishiliza for uThando
Zadok for Othanda Mina
Best Collaboration Song
AKA feat. NastyC for Lemons (Lemonade)
K.O feat. Young Stunna & Blxckie for Sete
Kususa, Argento Dust & Zakes Bantwini for Asanda
Aymos feat. Ami Faku for Fatela
Sjava feat. Q Twinz & Mzukulu for Isoka
Best Duo or Group
Mafikizolo for Kwanele
Big Nuz for Ngeke
Mellow & Sleazy for Wenza Kanjani
Kwesta and Kabza De Small for Mrholo Wayizolo
Inkabi Nation for Voice Mail
Best Female Artist
Nomfundo Moh for Izibusiso
Makhadzi African for Queen 2.0
Simmy for Hlelo
Brenda Mtambo for Enza Kwenzeke
HLE for You’re The Worthy One
Best Gospel Album
Dumi Mkokstad for The Over Flow
Soweto Gospel Choir for Hope
Khaya Mthethwa for Art & Worship
Kingdmusic for Perfect Love
Pastor Lungi Ndala for Victorious Praise
Best Hip Hop Artist
AKA for Mass Country
K.O for SR3
Nasty Cfor Ivyson Army Tour Mixtape
Blxckie for The4Mula
Maglera Doe Boy for Diaspora
Best House Song
Kususa, Argento Dust & Zakes Bantwini for Asanda
Mthandazo Gatya ft. Nhlonipho for Sizobambana
Karyendasoul ft. Ami Faku for Umthandazo
Caiiro ft. Pixie L for Lwandle
Skye Wanda for Amazwi
Best Kwaito/Gqom Song
Big Nuz for Ngeke
Dj Tira for Sikilidi
Kwesta and Kabza De Small for Mrholo Wayizolo
Spikiri for Tana La
Professor for Ezangakini
Best Male Artist
AKA for Lemons (Lemonade)
K.O for Sete
Kabza De Small for Khusela
Sjava for Isoka
Mthandazo Gatya for Sizobambana
New Artist
Oufadafada for I can’t give up
CocoSA for I never thought
Group Chat for Mama
Mayten for Wait on Me
Tee Tee for Andizenzi
Styled Artist
Mafikizolo
Musa Keys
Sjava
Daliwonga
Sino Msolo
Best Music Video
K.O for Sete
AKA for Lemons (Lemonade)
Dj Tira for Sikilidi
Wanitwa Mos for Sofa Silahlane
Costa Titch for Big Flexa Remix
Best Viral Challenge
Deep London feat Boohle for Hamba Wena
DJ Maphorisa & Visca for Ba Straata
Felo Le Tee & Toss for Manca
Myztro feat Focalistic, Daliwonga, Shaunmusiq and Ftears for Tobetsa
K.O. feat Young Stunna and Blxckie for Sete