Woodblock DJs and Bassie Win Big at the Metro FM Music Awards 2025, See the Full List of Winners
It was a night of glory at Mbombela in Mpumalanga as one of South African music’s biggest award shows Metro FM Awards commenced on the 3rd of May 2025 to honor releases and artists for their contributions to industry over the past year. From new blood such as Woodblock DJs claiming the top scalps of Song of the Year to legends such as gospel singer Dr Rebecca Malope and kwaito vets TKZee being awarded the Lifetime Achievement Awards, the Metros were not merely a spectacle of accolades being handed to deserving recipients, they were a celebration of diversity, fashion, and the recognition of progress from the old to the new.
The biggest winner of the ceremony was the Durban duo Woodblock DJs, who won the coveted Song of the Year award and Best Viral Challenge for their hits “Skuta Baba (Remix)” and “Skuta Baba”, respectively. Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger and Amaza emerged as the most-awarded artists for “Kwelanga 2.0”, winning a total of three awards: Best Amapiano Song, Best Collaboration Song, as well as Best Music Video.
Woodblock DJs accepting an award | SUPPLIED
Giving hip-hop a respectable foothold, rapper Usimamane won Best Male Artist, beating crowd favourites such as Kelvin Momo, Tyler ICU, Dlala Thukzin, and Kabza De Small. Gospel singer Xolly Mcwango (also the winner for Best Gospel Album) came out on top to win Best Female Artist ahead of Makhadzi – who eventually won Artist of the Year – Babalwa M, DBN Gogo, and Nontokozo Mkhize.
Another surprising win came from respected trap superstar Emtee, who walked away with Best Produced Album for his offering DIY 3, beating the likes of Ntsako by Kelvin Momo as well as Finally Famous Too by Dlala Thukzin.
The most notable snub of the night, however, was “Biri Marung”. Despite being the year-initiating song on multiple radio stations and being a go-to party song for many in the country, the song won nothing on the night, losing out on all five of its nominations: Song of the Year, Best Ampiano Song, Best Viral Challenge, Best Collaboration Song, and Best Music Video. The most ironic part of this is that the song was song of the year at the Metro FM radio station.
Bassie, M-Touch, Amaza and Ranger | SUPPLIED
Here is the full list:
Best Female Artist
Xolly Mncwango
Dbn Gogo
Babalwa M
Nontokozo Mkhize
Makhadzi
Best R&B Song
Mawelele & Kwesta – ‘All My Life’
Shekhinah ft. Moliy – ‘Risk’
Elaine – ‘Love Me Slowly’
Langa Mavuso – ‘Best Friend (Control)’
Nanette, Tellaman & Nasty C – ‘Tonight’
Best Dance Song
Chronical Deep, Leehleza, Kabza De Small ft. Latique, Ezra – ‘Hayi Baba’
Casswell P & Nobuhle – ‘Can’t Get’
Dlala Thukzin feat. Zeh McGeba, MK Productions – ‘Sohlala Sisonke’
Oscar Mbo and Jazzworx feat. Thukuthela – ‘Vuka’
CAIIRO ft Ami Faku – ‘Ndisize’
Song of the Year
WOODBLOCK DJS ft. Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta, Kane Keid – ‘Skuta Baba (Remix)’
Blaq Major ft. Bless The Gentleman & DJ Kap – ‘Sdakiwe Sbali’
Makhadzi, Prince Benza, Iyanya – ‘Number 1’
Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma & ThabzaTee ft. DJ Maphorisa & Djy Biza – ‘Yebo Lapho (Gogo)’
CAIIRO ft. Ami Faku – ‘Ndisize’
Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka, Focalistic, DJ Maphorisa, Scotts Maphuma, CowBoii – ‘Biri Marung’
Shakes & Les ft. LeeMcKrazy – ‘Funk 99’
Kabza De Small & Vigro Deep ft. Scotts Maphuma & Young Stunna – ‘Wishi Wishi’
KMAT ft. CowBoii, djygubzin.live & Ranger – ‘MKK’
Best Artist of the Year
Makhadzi
Tyler ICU
Kabza De Small
Morda
Kelvin Momo
Best Amapiano Song
Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza ft. TmanXpress, LeemcKrazy – ‘Kwelanga 2.0’
DJ Stokie, Zee_nhle, Sobzeen, Faith Strings – ‘Selimathunzi’
Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma & ThabzaTee feat. DJ Maphorisa & Djy Biza – ‘Yebo Lapho (Gogo)’
Mr Pilato, Ego Slimow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka x Focalistic x DJ Maphorisa x Scotts Maphuma x CowBoii – ‘Biri Marung’
Blaq Major, Bless the General, Dj Kap – ‘Sdakiwe Sbali’
Best Hip Hop Song
Skhandaworld, K.O & Nasty C – ‘Too Much’
K.O ft. Maglera Doe Boy – ‘Let Me Cook’
Usimamane & Sjava – ‘Uvalo’
Emtee – ‘WAR’
Tony Dayimane, Usimamane, Kwesta & Yanga Chief – ‘Wishlist’
Best Duo/Group
Blaq Diamond
Wanitwa Mos and Nkosazana Daughter
Shakes and Les
Black Motion
Best African Pop Song
Naledi Aphiwe & Mawelele – ‘Romeo & Juliet’
Nomfundo Moh ft. Msaki, Cassper Nyovest – ‘Umusa’
Blaq Diamond – ‘Piki Piki’
Mlindo The Vocalist & DJ Maphorisa ft. Tman xpress; Phila Dlozi – ‘Umdali’
Best Gospel Album
Xolly Mncwango – Unusual
Nontokozo Mkhize – Lindiwe
SbuNoah – Heavenly Psalms Level 2
Ayanda Ntanzi – According to Grace, A One Man Show
Mmuso Worship – Jesus to the city V2
Best Male Artist
Usimamane
Dlala Thukzin
Kabza de Small
Kelvin Momo
Tyler ICU
Best Styled Artist
Mörda
MaWhoo
Focalistic
Dbn Gogo
Oscar Mbo
Best Kwaito/Gqom Song
Mr Thela, Beast RSA, Mthandazo Gatya & Zanda Zakuza – ‘Ekhaya’
Funky Qla, Argento Dust & Maline Aura – ‘Utshwala’
Goldmax, Dlala Thukzin & Funky Qla ft Zee Nxumalo & Beast RSA – ‘FOMO’
DJ Tira Feat. AmaTycooler, Big Nuz & Focus Magazi – ‘Singenzenjani’
Goldmax & Blacks Jnr feat. Leemckraza – ‘Ama Weekend’
Best Jazz Album
Linda Sikhakhane – iLadi
Nduduzo Makhathini – uNomkhubulwane
Thandiswa Mazwai – Sankofa
Nomfundo Xaluva – Ndilapha
Sydney Mavundla – Dirge for our Fathers
Best Viral Challenge
WOODBLOCK DJS – Mvelost; Set Off; Somololo – ‘Skuta Baba’
Mr Pilato, Ego Slimow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka x Focalistic x DJ Maphorisa x Scotts Maphuma x CowBoii – ‘Biri Marung’
Kabza De Small & Vigro Deep feat. Scotts Maphuma & Young Stunna – ‘Wishi Wishi’
Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma & ThabzaTee feat. DJ Maphorisa & Djy Biza – ‘Yebo Lapho (Gogo)’
KMAT feat. CowBoii, djygubzin.live & Ranger – ‘MKK’
Best Produced Album
Emtee – DIY 3
Nontokozo Mkhize – Lindiwe
Dlala Thukzin – Finally Famous Too
Kelvin Momo – Ntsako
Thandiswa Mazwai – Sankofa
Best New Artist
Neo Dube
Mawelele
Phila Koshin
Best Collaboration Song
Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza ft. TmanXpress, LeemcKrazy – ‘Kwelanga 2.0’
Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma, Thabza Tee ft. DJ Maphorisa, Djy Biza – ‘Yebo Lapho (Gogo)’
Mr Pilato, Ego Slimow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka x Focalistic x DJ Maphorisa x Scotts Maphuma x CowBoii – ‘Biri Marung’
Woodblock DJs ft. Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta & Kane Keid – ‘Skuta Baba (Remix)’
Kabza De Small, Vigro Deep & Dj Maphorisa feat. Scotts Maphuma; Young Stunna – ‘Wishi Wishi’
Best Music Video
Bassie, M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza ft. TmanXpress, LeemcKrazy – ‘Kwelanga 2.0’
Mr Pilato, Ego Slimow, Tebogo G Mashego ft. Sje Konka x Focalistic x DJ Maphorisa x Scotts Maphuma x CowBoii – ‘Biri Marung’
Woodblock DJs ft. Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta & Kane Keid – ‘Skuta Baba (Remix)’
Usimamane ft. Sjava – ‘Uvalo’
Caiiiro ft. Ami Faku – ‘Ndisize’
Lifetime Achievement Award
TKZee
Rebecca Malope