The nominees for the 16th Metro FM Music Awards were announced at a star studded affair - held at The Forum in Johannesburg on Tuesday night.
Celebrities, including Kelly Khumalo, Nadia Nakai, Robbie Malinga and Lalla Hirayama were in attendance.
This year's awards will be held at the Durban ICC Area for the fifth year now and is themed “What’s next is all that matters”.
Speaking at the announcement, Metro FM station manager, Sibongile Mtyali said, “In 2016 we were still being legendary, but this time around we are not just proclaiming ‘Legends Don’t Stop, They Ask What’s Next’, we are solidifying that statement by anchoring it and pronouncing ‘What’s Next is All That Matters.
Now is the time to push harder than ever before, to learn lessons, to shatter those glass ceilings and be better than your best”.
Mtyali also confirmed that Durban would play host to 2017 Metro FM Musica Awards as well.
New kids on the block Amanda Black and Babes Wodumo cemented their new found status in the industry with a raft of nominations, while outspoken hip hop heavyweight AKA received just one.
Rapper Kwesta made his presence felt with nominations for Best Hip Hop album and Song of the Year, while gospel star Lebo Sekgobela received nominations in the Best Urban Gospel Album, Best Female and Song of the Year categories.
Here is a full list of the nominees:
Best African Pop Album
Musa - Mr Serious
Amanda Black - Amazulu
Vusi Nova - Naninina
Soul Kulture - Ngeliny’langa
Sjava - Isina Muva
Best Collaboration
Ms Pru - Ameni
Bucie - Rejoice
Dj Speedsta - Mayo
Kwesta - Mayibabo
Best Compilation Album
DJ Tokzen - Mthi’s Essential Selection 7
DJ Qness - Essentional Selection
DJ Fresh - Fresh House Flava Volumne 9
Best Dance Album
Babes Wodumo - Gqom Queen
Dr Malinga - Goodwill
Mobi Dixon - Live the Music
Mpumi - The Birth of Mpumi
Dj Merlon - Original Copy
Best Female Album
Amanda Black - Amazulu
Babes Wodumo - Gqom Queen
Kelly Khumalo - My Truth
Lebo Sekgobela - Restored
Brenda Mntambo - So Much Love
Best Group
Jaziel Brothers - Out of the Box
The Soil - Echoes of Kofifi
Soul Kulture - Ngeliny’ilanga
Durbans Finest - Reloaded
Encore - Encore
Best Single
Citi Lyts - Vura
Riky Rick - Sidlukotini
AKA - One Time
Ms Pru - Ameni
DJ Speedsta - Mayo
Best Hip Hop Album
Kwesta - Dakar
A Reece - Paradise
Anatii - Artifact
Nasty C - Bad Hair Extensions
DJ Slique - Inayam
Best Kwaito Single
Mshoza - Abantu Bam
L’vovo - Amatin Tin
Sosha - Good Times
Vetkoek & Mahoota - Sohamba Ngo
Best Male Album
Nasty C - Bad Hair Extensions
Kwesta - Dakar
Sjava - Isina Muva
Mobi Dixon - Live the Music
A Reece - Paradise
Best New Artist
Babes Wodumo - Gqom Queen
Amanda Black - Amazulu
Nasty C - Bad Hair Extensions
Sjava - Isina Muva
Soul Kulture - Ngeliny’ilanga
One Africa Award
Tekno - Pana (Nigeria)
Vee Mamoeezy - I Do (Botswana)
Tiwa Savage - If I Start To Talk (Nigeria)
Kommanda Obbs - Ke Tauwa (Lesotho)
Patoranking - No Kissing (Nigeria)
Song of the Year
Babes Wodumo - Wololo
Musa & Robbie Malinga - Mthande
Kwesta - Ngud
Amanda Black - Amazulu
Dr Malinga - Akulaleki
Durbans Finest - Umsindo
King Monada - Ska Bhora Moreki
Nasty C - Hell Naw
Lebo Sekgobela - Lion of Judah
Black Motion - Imali
Best Gospel Album
Dr Tumi - Love & Grace
Lebo Sekgobela - Restored
Joyous Celebration - Joyous Celebration 20
Mmuso - We Will Worship
Khaya Mthethwa - The Dawn
Best R&B Single
Amanda Black - Separate
Floda - Decapitate Me
Charlie Mindgames - As Long As You
Zonke - Funky Lovin
Joocy - Thathinhliziyo
Best Remixes
DJ Ganyani – Talk To Me
Prince Kaybee – Don’t Give Up
Thee Legacy – Wena Wedwa (Remix)
Bob’ezy – Close To You
Thee Legacy – S’thandwa Sami Remix
Best Urban Jazz Album
Jimmy Dludlu – In The Groove
Brenda Mntambo – So Much More
Thandiswa – Belede
Hugh Masekela – No Borders
Henry Philemon – Man Of Definition
Best Music Video
Du Boiz – Dope Dream
Benchmarq – All On Me
Khuli Chana – One Source
Mafikizolo – Kucheza
Anatii – Jump