The nominees were unveiled at a star-studded launch party at The Forum in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, with winners set to be announced on April 25 in Durban,electrifying performances led by Zee Nxumalo and Mawhoo.
Queen of lekompo music,Shandesh has earned six nominations while marturing a milestone for first time for the genres debut, Goon Flavour and Nkesh are first-time nominees.Jazzworld and Thukuthela led the charge with 12 noods while Ciza earned 5.
Best Maskandi and Best Lekompo were also announced as new genres.
This year the awards return to durban for first time since 2016,signing a 3 year deal with SABC,with organisers promising a bigger and better showcas within the warmest city says Mr Sipho Mbule mayor of Ethekwini municipality”..speaking with S.A BUZZ
Here’s a full list of the nominees:
Best Jazz Album
Mandisi Dyantyis – Intlambululo: ukuhlambulula
Judith Sephuma – When winter fades
Andile Yenana – Way out is in
Benjamin Jeptha – Homecoming Revisited
Siphamandla ‘Paras’ Dlamini – Ingoma Busuku
Best Gospel Album
Xolly Mncwango – Unusual live / Deluxe
Nontokozo Mkhize – The live experience
Musa Yende – Sustained by grace
Mmatema – Heart of gratitude
Nothando Hlophe – A new dawn
Best Produced Album
Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – Most wanted
Kabza De Small – Bab Motha
Sam Deep, Stixx and Nvcho – Kings of kwapi
Kelvin Momo – Thato ya modimo
Lwah Ndlunkulu – Amaciko
Best Collaboration
Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle & Mano – Shela
Jazzwrld, Mawhoo, Thukuthela & Gl_ceejay – Uzizwa Kanjani
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makhathini & Mbuso Khoza – You make me happy
Mawhoo, Gl_ceejay, Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – Bengicela
Goon Flavour, Master KG & Eemoh – Ngishutheni
Song of the Year
Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle & Mano – Shela
DJ Smallz, 031 Choppa & Uncool MC – Zep
DJ Maphorisa, Xduppy, Kabza De Small, Thatohatsi, Young Stunna & Nkosazana Daughter – AbantwanaBakho
Mawhoo, Gl_ceejay, Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – Bengicela
Khadeair, Peekay Mzee & Kaytah – Magumba
Jazzwrld, Mawhoo, Thukuthela & Gl_ceejay – Uzizwakanjani
Shandesh & Mvzzle – Sdudla or Slender
Goon Flavour, Master KG & Eemoh – Ngishutheni
Umafikizolo – Uzoncengwa unyoko
Ciza, Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – Isaka
Best Viral Challenge
DJ Smallz, Zinedinex, Sguche, 031 Choppa & Uncool MC – Zep
Mluucisian, Ricky Lenyora, DJ Maphorisa, VulelaMaweekend, Mark Khoza & Angekenanuye MC – Malacosta
Goon Flavour, Master KG & Eemoh – Ngishutheni
Shandesh & Mvzzle – Sdudla or Slender
Umafikizolo – Uzoncengwa unyoko
Best Female Artist
Mawhoo
Lordkez
Zee Nxumalo
Shandesh
Lwah Ndlunkulu
Best Styled Artist
Musa Keys
Daliwonga
K.O
Vusi Nova
Zee Nxumalo
Best R&B Song
Lordkez – Aweh
Una Rams – Priceless Possession
Naledi Aphiwe & Mawelele – Come Duze
Lloyiso – Higher
Langa Mavuso – Dangerous
Best Maskandi
Umafikizolo – Uzoncengwa unyoko
Simonofu & Zee Nxumalo – Sajola Kamnandi
Mzukulu & Intombi Yaselundi – Ubu Ghost Bami
Khuzani – Umanikinikana
Siya Ntuli – Amaphiko
Best Male Artist
Sam Deep
Ciza
Kabza De Small
Kelvin Momo
DJ Maphorisa
Best Hip Hop
Stogie T, Nasty C, Maggz & A-Reece – Four Horsemen
Yanga Chief – What if (Mngani)
Big Zulu ft. Emtee – Abazazi bafunani
Makwa ft. Kwesta – Umguzumbane we Summer
K.O ft. Cassper Nyovest – Supa Nova
Best Dance
Mawhoo, Gl_ceejay, Thukuthela & Jazzwrld – Bengicela
Khadeair, Peekay Mzee & Kaytah – Magumba
Ciza, Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – Isaka
Jazzwrld, Thukuthela, Babalwa M & Dlala Thukzin – Uvalo
Jazzwrld, Mawhoo, Thukuthela & Gl_ceejay – Uzizwakanjani
Best Music Video:
Zee Nxumalo, Skillz & Sykes – Mamma
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makhathini & Mbuso Khoza – You make me happy
Lordkez – Aweh
Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle & Mano – Shela
Ciza, Jazzwrld & Thukuthela – Isaka
Best Lekompo
Janesh & Hitboss – Ngwanaka
Kharishma, DJ Angelo, Buddy Sax & DJ Janisto – Wainama
Shandesh & Mvzzle – Sdudla or Slender
Shebeshxt, Naqua SA, Zee Nxumalo & Slidoo Man – Rato Laka
Mvzzle, Mawhoo, Natiey Lepaka & Janesh – Leskandi 2.0
Best Amapiano
Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle & Mano – Shela
DJ Maphorisa, Xduppy, Kabza De Small, Thatohatsi, Young Stunna & Nkosazana Daughter – AbantwanaBakho
DJ Maphorisa, Focalistic, Ricky Lenyora, Uncool MC, Mellow & Sleazy – Dlala ka yona
DJ Jaivane, Smaki 08, Wesley Keys & De Rose – Lutho
Kabza De Small, Sykes, Young Stunna, Nkosazana Daughter, Tracy & Thatohatsi – Ngiyozama
Best Kwaito / Gqom
Dladla Mshunqisi & Beast RSA – Puku Puku
DJ Lag, Zee Nxumalo & KC Driller – Ngyasindelwa
DJ Tira, Pcee, Campmasters & General C’mamane – Awungazi
Kamo Mphela, Aymos, Que DJ & Space Ose – Partii
Bello B & We Dem Boyz – Dubai
Best African Pop
Lwah Ndlunkulu – Mnakwethu
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makhathini & Mbuso Khoza – You make me happy
Naledi Aphiwe, Blxckie & Lily Faith – Waiting for you
Mawelele & Naledi Aphiwe – Buya Ekhaya
Samthing Soweto – Deda
Best New Artist
Shandesh
Khadeair
Kharishma
Goon Flavour
Nkeshemba
Artist of the Year
DJ Maphorisa
Sam Deep
Ciza
Shandesh
Zee Nxumalo
Best Duo or Group
Thukuthela & Jazzwrld
Dladla Mshunqisi & Beast RSA
Inkabi Nation
Focalistic & Ch’cco
Major League DJs
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