WeeklySA_AdminHYPE: A whopping 61 percent rise in nominations sets a buoyant tone to the upcoming annual ceremony, which will be held in Mpumalanga this year…
By Priscilla Malinga
Metro FM has received an impressive 2 769 entries across 19 music categories for its annual awards, representing a significant 61 percent increase from last year’s 1 700 entries.
The latest news were shared at a nominations party held at the Galleria Kramerville in Sandton yesterday to announce nominees for the upcoming Metro FM Awards, which will be held at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga in May 2025.
The nominations feature music singles and albums released between February 28 2024 and February 28 2025. New artists came in numbers to the party, to join in the excitement leading to the upcoming event was very clear. They reveal Amapiano continuing to lead the pack, with genre kings Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, and Scotts Maphuma topping the list with four nominations each.
iNkabi Nation’s Sjava follows closely with three nominations, while Hip Hop royalty Kwesta and Cassper Nyovest also secured three nominations each.
Metro FM also unveiled this year’s theme for the ceremony as “Crowning Greatness”, explaining that it signifies the elevation of the achievements of those who shape the South African cultural narrative.
”It is a celebration of Black Royalty – a night where hits are not only celebrated but become timeless pieces of our shared legacy,” said Lala Tuku, SABC’s acting group executive for video entertainment.
“Honouring the fact that the evening is more than an award show; it’s a coronation, where artists are crowned as cultural icons, and their contributions are immortalised,” she added.
The awards will take place at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga on May 3 and will be broadcast live on SABC1.
The event is hosted by the Mpumalanga provincial government and sponsored by the Motsepe Foundation.
In a major boost to the awards, the Motsepe Foundation will be providing a cash prize of R50 000 to each category winner, and a grand prize of R150 000 to the Song of the Year winner.
The Motsepe Foundation is sponsoring the Song of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award and African Fashion International (AFI) is supporting the Best Styled category.
Santam sponsors the Best Artist category. Additionally, METRO FM is pleased to announce SAMPRA, as the sponsor of the prestigious Artist of the Year.
