Artist of the Year
Artist- Kabza De Small
- Kelvin Momo
- DJ Maphorisa
- DJ Zinhle
- Sam Deep
- MaWhoo
- CIZA
- JAZZWRLD & Thukuthela
- Nasty C
- Zee Nxumalo
- Dlala Thukzin
- Shandesh
- Umafikizolo
Official nominations
Urban Music Awards
South Africa 2026 Nominees
All 31 categories in the South Africa edition. Winners are announced live at the ceremony.
Wednesday 9 December 2026 Theatre of Marcellus, Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa
Best Male Act
Artist- TOSS
- Cassper Nyovest
- Nasty C
- Priddy Ugly
- Manana
- Kabza De Small
- Kelvin Momo
- Sam Deep
- CIZA
- Sjava
- Dlala Thukzin
- Loatinover Pounds
- Young Stunna
- Maglera Doe Boy
- Mzukulu
- DJ Maphorisa
- Umafikizolo
Best Female Act
Artist- DJ Zinhle
- Uncle Waffles
- MaWhoo
- Zee Nxumalo
- Thatohatsi
- Lwah Ndlunkulu
- Makhadzi
- Shekhinah
- HLE
- Nontokozo Mkhize
- Nanette
- Shandesh
- Kharishma
- Nkosazana Daughter
- Nomcebo Zikode
Best Newcomer
Artist- BigBaller_Ceo
- Shandesh
- Kharishma
- Khadeair
- Goon Flavour
- Nkeshemba
- Thatohatsi
- Feza
- Nayvee Womculo
- Gemma Fassie
- Lumanyano Mzi
- vuyo viwe
- N T S A K O XVI
- Siphiwe Black
- G-Jealous
- De Rose
- Busigold
- Mafuthi Madondo
- Sakhile
Best Group
Artist- Mi Casa
- Freshlyground
- Black Motion
- Afrikan Roots
- JAZZWRLD & Thukuthela
- Mellow & Sleazy
- Major League DJz
- TxC
- Inkabi Nation
- Locnville
- Mmuso Worship
- Scorpion Kings
- Zulu Queens
- Shakes & Les
- Artwork Sounds
- Joyous Celebration
- Blacks Jnr, Dankie Boi & GoldMax
Song of the Year
Music- Nomcebo Zikode feat. Mthunzi — Thelumoya
- Umafikizolo — Uyoncengwa Unyoko
- Sam Deep, Nia Pearl & Boohle feat. Mano — Shela
- MaWhoo, GL_Ceejay & Thukuthela feat. JAZZWRLD — Bengicela
- Tyla — CHANEL
- Zee Nxumalo, Skillz & Sykes — Mamma
- Kharishma, DJ Angelo, Buddy Sax & DJ Janisto — Wa Inama
- Tman Xpress & Mellow & Sleazy — Remember
- DJ Zinhle, Nayvee Womculo & Young Stunna — Nayvee's Prayer
- Mshinwemali featuring Sne Ntuli — Myeke
- Thatohatsi & Sjava feat. ShaunMusiq — Ama hem hem
- G-Jealous feat. KaMaphanga — Luqale sakudlala
Best Collaboration
Music- Sam Deep, Nia Pearl & Boohle feat. Mano — Shela
- MaWhoo, GL_Ceejay & Thukuthela feat. JAZZWRLD — Bengicela
- Tman Xpress & Mellow & Sleazy — Remember
- DJ Zinhle, Nayvee Womculo & Young Stunna — Nayvee's Prayer
- Black Motion & Spice Drums feat. DJ Buckz — Monateng
- Manana feat. Nasty C — Alright
- Nadia Nakai & TOSS — Blind
- JAZZWRLD, Thukuthela, Babalwa M & Dlala Thukzin — uValo
- Thatohatsi & Sjava feat. ShaunMusiq — Ama hem hem
- Zulu Queens, Lwah Ndlunkulu, MaWhoo & Feza — Distance
- CIZA, Tems, Omah Lay, Thukuthela, JAZZWRLD & Lekaa Beats — Isaka II (6am)
- TxC, Davido, Scotts Maphuma & Shoday feat. Al Xapo & Zlatan — Nakupenda
- N T S A K O XVI, Shaun 101, Uncool MC & Ch'cco feat. Scotts Maphuma — NGEKE
- DJ Smallz, ZinedinexSguche, 031choppa & Uncool MC — ZEP
- Zee Nxumalo, Skillz & Sykes — Mamma
- Focalistic, Optimist Music ZA, Benzoo, Mellow & Sleazy feat. Mr JazziQ — Gumba Fire
- Sam Deep & Thatohatsi — Thandaza
Best Album
Music- Kabza De Small — Bab'Motha
- Kelvin Momo — Thato Ya Modimo
- Nasty C — Free
- JAZZWRLD & Thukuthela — The Most Wanted
- Shekhinah — Less Trouble
- MaWhoo — Amazwi Okubonga
- Lwah Ndlunkulu — Amaciko
- HLE — THE GROUND WE'RE ON
- Tyla — A*POP
- Loatinover Pounds — Ground 2 Glory
- ThaboSmol — Di THUPA TSA SMOL
- Mr. Mercedes — S'PHARELA
- Danya Devs — Bayede
- Dlala Thukzin — MAYVIS
- Young Stunna — Busisiwe
- MÖRDA — Asante III
- Blxckie — YENA
- Babalwa M — Acquiesce
- Busi Sibiya — Heart of Worship Vol. 1
- Musa Yende — Sustained by Grace
Best Music Video
Music- Black Motion & Spice Drums feat. DJ Buckz — Monateng
- Manana feat. Nasty C — Alright
- Sam Deep, Nia Pearl & Boohle feat. Mano — Shela
- Nasty C & Blxckie — Leftie (Dlala Ngcobo)
- Kamo Mphela, Aymos, QUE DJ & Jay Music feat. SpacePose — Partii
- Msaki, Jesse Clegg & Sjava — Wayside Lover
- DJ Maphorisa, Xduppy & Kabza De Small feat. Thatohatsi, Young Stunna & Nkosazana Daughter — Abantwana Bakho
- CIZA, JAZZWRLD & Thukuthela — Isaka (6am)
- lordkez — You, Me & the 90's
- TxC, Davido, Scotts Maphuma & Shoday feat. Al Xapo & Zlatan — Nakupenda
- Uncle Waffles & Royal Musiq feat. CowBoii, Xduppy & Uncool MC — Zenzele
- Zee Nxumalo, Skillz & Sykes — Mamma
- Tyla — CHANEL
- Kharishma, DJ Angelo, Buddy Sax & DJ Janisto — Wa Inama
- CiCi & Naledi Aphiwe — Amen
- Nkosazana Daughter — Emsakazweni
- MaWhoo, GL_Ceejay & Thukuthela feat. JAZZWRLD — Bengicela
- Future & Tyla — Game Time
Best Viral Breakthrough Song
Music- MaWhoo, GL_Ceejay & Thukuthela feat. JAZZWRLD — Bengicela
- Sam Deep, Nia Pearl & Boohle feat. Mano — Shela
- DJ Zinhle, Nayvee Womculo & Young Stunna — Nayvee's Prayer
- Tman Xpress & Mellow & Sleazy — Remember
- Thatohatsi & Sjava feat. ShaunMusiq — Ama hem hem
- Feza — Umaqondana
- Feza — Sengithole Omunye
- G-Jealous feat. KaMaphanga — Luqale sakudlala
- Zulu Queens, Lwah Ndlunkulu, MaWhoo & Feza — Distance
- Focalistic, Optimist Music ZA, Benzoo, Mellow & Sleazy feat. Mr JazziQ — Gumba Fire
- Shandesh & Hitboss SA feat. Wendy M — Sefela sa Lekompo
- CIZA, Tems, Omah Lay, Thukuthela, JAZZWRLD & Lekaa Beats — Isaka II (6am)
- Kharishma, DJ Angelo, Buddy Sax & DJ Janisto — Wa Inama
- DJ Smallz, ZinedinexSguche, 031choppa & Uncool MC — ZEP
- N T S A K O XVI, Shaun 101, Uncool MC & Ch'cco feat. Scotts Maphuma — NGEKE
- Bello B & Dladla Mshunqisi feat. Anathii Deejay & FROSTIYANO — BETHII BETHII
- Umafikizolo — Uyoncengwa Unyoko
- Zee Nxumalo, Skillz & Sykes — Mamma
- Master KG feat. Nomcebo — Jerusalema
Best Live Performance
Artist- Kelvin Momo
- Scorpion Kings
- Uncle Waffles
- Sjava
- Freshlyground
- vuyo viwe
- Makhadzi
- Nasty C
- Tyla
- Black Motion
- Manana
- Nanette
- Dlala Thukzin
- Sun-El Musician
- Zee Nxumalo
- Kamo Mphela
- Focalistic
- Young Stunna
Best Amapiano Act
Genre- Kabza De Small
- Kelvin Momo
- DJ Maphorisa
- Sam Deep
- Uncle Waffles
- Mellow & Sleazy
- Tman Xpress
- Focalistic
- De Mthuda
- Babalwa M
- Scotts Maphuma
- Vigro Deep
- Young Stunna
- DJ Jaivane
- Nia Pearl
Best Hip Hop Act
Genre- Nasty C
- Loatinover Pounds
- Priddy Ugly
- Cassper Nyovest
- K.O
- Kwesta
- Yanga Chief
- Big Zulu
- Emtee
- A-Reece
- FLVME
- MashBeatz
- Stogie T
- Maglera Doe Boy
- Usimamane
- Blxckie
- Danya Devs
Best Gqom Act
Genre- DJ Lag
- DJ Tira
- Dladla Mshunqisi
- Beast RSA
- Funky Qla
- Blacks Jnr
- Dankie Boi
- GoldMax
- Mr Thela
- Cairo CPT
- QUE
- CampMasters
- General C'Mamane
- Babes Wodumo
Best Afro Pop Act
Genre- Lwah Ndlunkulu
- Sjava
- CiCi
- Nomfundo Moh
- Samthing Soweto
- Makhadzi
- Zee Nxumalo
- Tyla
- Mi Casa
- Freshlyground
- Simphiwe Dana
- Zawadi Yamungu
- Kelly Khumalo
- Mawelele
- Naledi Aphiwe
- Vusi Nova
- Simmy
- Jabulile Majola
- Nonny Muji
Best House Music Act
Genre- JAZZWRLD & Thukuthela
- Dlala Thukzin
- CIZA
- MaWhoo
- MÖRDA
- Da Capo
- DJ Zinhle
- Black Motion
- Afrikan Roots
- Darque
- Atmos Blaq
- Calvin Fallo
- Black Coffee
- Shimza
- Sun-El Musician
- Zakes Bantwini
- Mpho.Wav
- Culoe De Song
Best R&B Act
Genre- Rowlene
- Manana
- Shekhinah
- Nanette
- lordkez
- Langa Mavuso
- Una Rams
- Lloyiso
- Naledi Aphiwe
- Mawelele
- Gemma Fassie
- Lucille Slade
- Elaine
- Maxine Ceasar
- Anica Kiana
Best Jazz Act
Genre- Mandisi Dyantyis
- Judith Sephuma
- Andile Yenana
- Benjamin Jephta
- Paras "Sibalukhulu" Dlamini
- Temba Ncetani
- Lumanyano Mzi
- Billy Monama
- Nduduzo Makhathini
- Linda Sikhakhane
- vuyo viwe
- ThaboSmol
- Tutu Puoane
- Simphiwe Dana
Best Gospel Act
Genre- HLE
- Nontokozo Mkhize
- Xolly Mncwango
- Musa Yende
- Mmatema
- Nothando Hlophe
- Nqubeko Mbatha
- Ncebakazi Msomi
- Brenden Praise
- Bucy Radebe
- Sindi Ntombela
- Dumi Mkokstad
- Busi Sibiya
Best Maskandi Act
Genre- Mzukulu
- Ntencane
- Inkos'yamagcokama
- G-Jealous
- Nkeshemba
- Umafikizolo
- Mthandeni SK
- LIMIT NALA
- MENZI
- Saliwa
- Mbuzeni
- Smiramira
- Khuzani
- Feza
- Mshinwemali
- Sminofu
- uGatsheni
Best Reggae and Dancehall Act
Genre- DIMAHR
- Don Dada
- Ras Canly
- Layahn King
- Red I Scorch
- Skeleton Blazer
- Gaba
- Botanist Mr Lamington
- Empress Gqama
- King Rush
- Musical Dynasty
- Undefynd
- Empress Deevyne
- Nkulee Dube
- Black Dillinger
- Tidal Waves
- The Rudimentals
Best Lekompo Act
Genre- Kharishma
- Shandesh
- Janesh
- Shebeshxt
- Mvzzle
- Hitboss SA
- Tribby Wadi Bhozza
- Naqua SA
- KayCherlow NLL
- Natiey Lepaka
- Abi wa Mampela
Best Choir or Choral Group
Genre- Kopano Chorus
- Young Singers
- Mompati Arts Chorus
- Baemedi Ba Tumelo
- Image of God Choristers
- Sons of Peace
- Lefelleng Apostolic Church Choir
- Ithemba Youth Choir
- Dominion Church in Christ
- Umlazi Gospel Choir The Original
- Iminqweno Yethu
- Soweto Gospel Choir
Best Bacardi Act
Artist- Jelly Babie
- BigBaller_Ceo
- Sia_TheBee
- Dimphowadiwave
- Beekay Da Deejay
- Zela Force
- Terra Fontain
- Almighty Zoro
- Black Boy
- Koki The Mic
- Mellow & Sleazy
- Benzoo
Best Emerging Urban Act
Artist- N T S A K O XVI
- G-Jealous
- Siphiwe Black
- Nayvee Womculo
- Nkeshemba
- Khadeair
- Mshinwemali
- De Rose
- BabyDaiz
- Calvin Fallo
- K.Keed
Best Producer
Industry- DJ Maphorisa
- Vigro Deep
- Mr. Mercedes
- Spice Drums
- Kabza De Small
- Kelvin Momo
- Sam Deep
- JAZZWRLD
- Thukuthela
- Dlala Thukzin
- ShaunMusiq
- MashBeatz
- Master KG
- DJ Lag
- Mr Thela
- Mvzzle
- Hitboss SA
Best DJ
Industry- DJ Maphorisa
- Kabza De Small
- Uncle Waffles
- Vigro Deep
- DJ Zinhle
- Kelvin Momo
- Sam Deep
- Dlala Thukzin
- Major League DJz
- TxC
- DJ Lag
- Oskido
- DBN Gogo
- Shimza
- Oscar Mbo
- Lamiez Holworthy
- Black Coffee
- DJ Jaivane
- DJ Tira
Best International Collaboration — South Africa and Global
International- CIZA, Tems, Omah Lay, Thukuthela, JAZZWRLD & Lekaa Beats — Isaka II (6am)
- TxC, Davido, Scotts Maphuma & Shoday feat. Al Xapo & Zlatan — Nakupenda
- DJ Maphorisa, DJ Tunez, Wizkid & Mavo — Money Constant
- DJ Maphorisa, DJ Tunez & Wizkid feat. Daliwonga & Madumane — Abangani
- DJ Maphorisa, DJ Tunez & Wizkid feat. Zaba & Zeh McGeba — Fiesta
- Tyla & Wizkid — Dynamite
- Travis Scott, Tyla & Vybz Kartel — PBT
- Damiano David, Tyla & Nile Rodgers — Talk to Me
- Cardi B feat. Tyla — Nice Guy
- MOLIY & Tyla — Body Go
- Tyla feat. Zara Larsson — She Did It Again
- CIZA, Francis Mercier & DJ Ngamla No Tarenzo — Maria
- Fireboy DML, JAZZWRLD & Thukuthela — IMALI
- Davido, JAZZWRLD & GL_Ceejay — I Know Who I Be
- Sting & Zakes Bantwini — Desert Rose (Zakes Bantwini Remix)
- Costa Titch & Ma Gang Official featuring Pheelz & BoiBizza — International
- Future & Tyla — Game Time
- Major League DJz, Thabza De Soul & Idd Aziz — Nipe Kitu
Best Radio Station
Culture- METRO FM
- Ukhozi FM
- Kaya 959
- Radio 2000
- 5FM
- Gagasi FM
- YFM
- Good Hope FM
- Capricorn FM
- Jozi FM
- Umhlobo Wenene FM
- Lesedi FM
- 947
Best Radio Show
Culture- The Urban Beat — METRO FM
- Top 40 on 5 — 5FM
- 5 Nights Charts — 5FM
- The Kaya Countdown — Kaya 959
- The Jazz Standard — Kaya 959
- The World Show — Kaya 959
- The Lounge Experience — Kaya 959
- On the Beat — Kaya 959
- Saturday Select — Kaya 959
- Spade of Hearts — Kaya 959
- Urban Top 40 — Gagasi FM
- SA Top 30 — Tshwane FM 93.6
- The Midday Linkup — METRO FM
- The Touchdown — METRO FM
- The Way Up — YFM
- On the Streets with Majorsteez — YFM
- METRO FM Top 30 — METRO FM
- The Penthouse Sessions — METRO FM
- The Agenda — YFM
- Hype Factory — YFM
- 5 Drive — 5FM
- The Glow Up — YFM
Best Online Music Platform
Culture- SlikourOnLife
- HYPE Magazine South Africa
- Music In Africa
- The Yanos Magazine
- The Journalist DJ
- Zkhiphani
- SA Hip-Hop Mag
- SA Music Magazine
- OkayAfrica
- QueenSoulVibesSA
- Texx and the City
- YOMZANSI
- Spotify South Africa
- Apple Music South Africa
- ZAtunes
- Audiomack
- YouTube Music South Africa