Urban Music Awards (UMA) Expands Globally, Launching in South Africa

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Urban Music Awards (UMA) Celebrates 20 Years with Global Expansion

The world-renowned Urban Music Awards (UMA) is marking its 20th anniversary with a massive global expansion. The awards will now launch in over 20 countries, with South Africa leading the way.

Founded in 2003 in the UK, the Urban Music Awards (UMA) quickly spread to the USA, the Caribbean, and Asia. Now, it is making its South African debut on May 4, 2025, at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria.

Showcasing South African Music to the World

South Africa is home to some of the most influential music in the world. Amapiano has taken global stages by storm, with artists like Tyla and DJs like Black Coffee leading the way. Songs like “Jerusalema” by Master KG and Nomcebo Zikode have also dominated international charts.

The UMA South Africa (UMA SA) aims to amplify this influence. It provides a platform for South African artists to gain global recognition and connect with international audiences.

The Urban Music Awards (UMA), A Fan-Driven Music Award

Unlike traditional awards, Urban Music Awards (UMA) relies on a fan-driven voting system. Since 1998, the UMA Academy, with over 3.9 million music fans worldwide, has allowed listeners to decide the winners.

Jordan Kensington, Founder & President of UMA, highlights this as more than an event. “It’s a movement to empower South African artists with the tools to brand, monetize, and reach global audiences.”

Live Global Broadcast and New Talent Search

UMA SA will be streamed live on VooVix TV, which has over 4.5 million subscribers. As part of the event, South Africa’s Next Superstar will give one rising star a chance to perform at the awards.

Official World Charts Expands into South Africa

The event will also introduce the Official World Charts in South Africa. This will provide local artists with a platform to release music and compete in global rankings.

Cressida Oppenheimer, Head of Global Partnerships at UMA, states, “This expansion is a game-changer. Music tourism is a multi-billion-dollar industry, and we want South African artists to reap the rewards.”

Public Voting Now Open!

Fans can now vote for their favorite nominees. Voting is open until May 2, 2025. To vote, register at www.telephonos.comand follow the direct link: www.telephonos.com/umavoting.

Winners will be announced live at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria on May 4, 2025.

2025 Urban Music Awards South Africa – Full Nominees List

Main Categories: 

Artist of the Year (South Africa):

Tyla
Kabza De Small
Lwah Ndlunkulu
Kelvin Momo
Priddy Ugly
Usimamane
Zee Nxumalo
KO


Best Male Act (South Africa):

Kabza De Small
Mthunzi
uGatsheni
Kelvin Momo
Blxckie
Usimamane
Scotts Maphuma
LeeMcKrazy
Cassper Nyovest
Oscar Mbo


Best Female Act (South Africa):

Tyla
Lwah Ndlunkulu
DJ Zinhle
Ami Faku
Makhadzi
Nkosazana Daughter
Uncle Waffles
Kamo Mphela
Boohle
Mawhoo
Babalwa M
Brenda Mtambo


Best Newcomer:

Naledi Aphiwe
Lwah Ndlunkulu
Scotts Maphuma
Mawelele
Joliza
Neo Dube
Tony Dayimane
Usimamane
Dee Koala
LaTique
LeeMcKrazy


Best Group (South Africa):

Mellow & Sleezy
Artwork Sounds
Black Motion
Shakes & Les
Justin 99 & PC
Major League
Skorpion Kings
Joyous Celebration
Shakes & Les
Die Antwoord


Best Collaboration:

Mellow & Sleazy, Sjavas De Deejay, TitoM– “Imnadi lento”
Die Piesangskille and Johan Balt – “Almal Gly”
Tyla feat. DJ Lag & Kooldrink – “Overdue”
Makhadzi & Master KG – “Kulakwe”
Elaine & Blxckie – “Loving You”
KO & Nasty C – “Too much”
“Woodblocks Djs [feat. Buzzi Lee, Kane Keid, Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta, Tony Dayimane, Mvelost, Set Off & Somololo] – “Skuta Baba” (Remix)
Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow & Tebogo G Mashego – “Biri Marung” ft DJ Maphorisa,Focalistic & Scotts Maphuma
Scotts Maphuma, Felo Le Tee, Thabza Tee – “Yebo Lapho”


Best Album (South Africa):

Kabza De Small & Mthunzi – “Isimo”
De Mthuda – “Baba Yaga”
Daliwonga – “Dali Dali”
Kelvin Momo – “Kurhula”
Tyla – “Tyla”
Brenda Mtambo – “Sane”
Morda’s – “Crazy”
Priddy Ugly – “Dust”
Sjava – “Isbuko”
25k – “Loyal to the Plug”
AKA – “Mass Country”


Best Amapiano Act:

Kabza De Small
Kelvin Momo
De Mthuda
DJ Maphorisa
Aymos
Felo Le Tee
LeeMcKrazy
Scotts Maphuma
Uncle Waffles
Babalwa M
Tyler ICU
Zee Nxumalo


Best Hip-Hop Act (South Africa):

Nasty C
A-Reece
Cassper Nyovest
Blxckie
Kwesta
Usimamane
Maglera Doe Boy
Priddy Ugly
Yanga Chief
K.O


Best Gqom Act:

Mr Thela
DJ Lag
RudeBoyz
TNS
Dladla Mshunqisi
Dlala Thukzin
Goldmax
DJ Tira
Bhuda M
Sparks Bantwana


Best Afro-Pop Act:

Lwah Ndlunkulu
Blaq Diamond
Big Zulu
Aubrey
Ntate Stunna
Vusi Nova
Sjava
Simmy
Sun-El Musician
Kelly Khumalo


Best House Music Act:

Black Coffee
DJ Zinhle
Culoe De Song
Euphonik
Heavy K
Shimza
Prince Kaybee
Da Capo
Dj Jaivane


Best R&B Act (South Africa):

Elaine
Lloyiso
Ricky Tyler
Jesse Clegg
Rowlene
Shekhinah
Tellaman
Langa Mavuso
Brenden Praise
Vusi Nova


Best Jazz Act (South Africa):

Judith Sephuma
Marcus Wyatt
Rorisang Sechele
Nick Ford
Simphiwe Dana
Lucas Senyatso
Siyabonga Mthethwa
Thandeka Dladla
Nduduzo Makhathini


Best Gospel Act (South Africa):

Joyous Celebration
Benjamin Dube
Dr Tumi
Ntokozo Mbambo
Lebo Sekgobela
Soweto Gospel Choir
Dumi Mkokstad
Mahalia Buchanan
Khaya Mthethwa
Nqubeko Mbatha
Ayanda Ntenzi
Dube Brothers
Mmatema
Spirit Of Praise


Best Maskandi Act:

Mthandeni SK
Izingane Zoma
Khuthuza
Ntencane
Mjolisi
uGatsheni
Menzi Music
Bahubhe
Zwide
Umafikizolo


Best Reggae & Dancehall Act:

The Rudimentals
Tidal Waves
Jah Seed
Black Dillinger
Nkulee Dube
Azania Band
Ras Dumisani


Performance & Production Categories

Best Producer (South Africa):

DJ Maphorisa
Kabza De Small
Sun-El Musician
Master KG
Vigro Deep
Kelvin Momo
TitoM and Yuppe
Tyler ICU
Dlala Thukzin
Nqubeko Mbatha


Best DJ (South Africa):

Black Coffee
DJ Zinhle
Lamiez Holworthy
Shimza
DJ Tira
DJ Maphorisa
Tyler ICU
Vigro Deep
DJ Euphonik
Uncle Waffles


Best Music Video (South Africa):

Kamo Mphela, Khalil Harrison & Tyler ICU – “Dalie” Ft. Baby S.O.N
TXC & Davido – “Yebo” ft. Tony Duardo & LeeMckrazy & DJ Biza
Wanitwa Mos, Master KG, Nkosazana Daughter – “Keneilwe” ft. Dalom Kids
K.O – “Let Me Cook” ft. Maglera Doe Boy
Tyler ICU – “Ebasini” ft. Leemckrazy, Tman Xpress, Ceeka RSA, Visca, AL Xapo, Sjavas DaDeejay
Mr JazziQ x Vigro Deep – “Fede”
Vigro Deep, DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small ft. Focalistic, Scotts Maphuma – “A-Z (Yashi Moto)”
Nasty C & @audiomarcdj – “For Certain”
Usimamane & Rick Ross – “Dangerous II”
Dee Koala – “Gwan” ft. Maglera Doe Boy
Priddy Ugly & Maglera Doe Boy ft. MashBeatz – NTJA’KA
DJ Maphorisa, XDuppy, Sean1401 – “Ngibolekeni” ft. Leemckrazy, Scotts Maphuma, Blxckie, Pcee, Kabelo Sings
Uncle Waffles & Royal Musiq – “Wadibusa” ft. Ohp Sage & Pcee
Tyla, Sean Paul – “PUSH 2 START” (REMIX)
TitoM & Yuppe – Tshwala Bam Ft. S.N.E & EeQue


Best Live Performance (South Africa):

Cassper Nyovest
Makhadzi
Sjava
Ami Faku
Justin 99 & Pcee
Uncle Waffles
Kamo Mphela
Priddy Ugly
Maglera Doe Boy
Zee Nxumalo
Busiswa
Toss


Media & Digital Categories (South Africa)

Best Radio Station (South Africa):

Metro FM
5FM
Ukhozi FM
YFM
Gagasi FM
Kaya FM
Capricorn FM
Power FM
Good Hope FM
Jozi FM


Best Music Television Show:

MTV Inside Life (MTV Base)
SA Hits Countdown (MTV Base)
Massive Music (Channel O)
Channel O Top 30 (Channel O)
JR’s Feel-Good Live Sessions (SABC 1)
Gospel Unplugged (SABC 1)
Connect (SABC 1)
LunchTime Vibes (SABC1)
Video Wall (eTV)
Yash’ingoma (Mzansi Magic)
Mzansi House Countdown (Mzansi Magic)


Best Online Music Platform (South Africa):

SlikourOnlife
Spotify (South Africa)
YouTube Music (South Africa)
Audiomack
Apple Music (South Africa)
TIDAL
Deezer
Soundcloud (South Africa)
Amazon Music
Shazam (South Africa)


Best Viral Breakthrough Song (South Africa):

Uncle Waffles – “Tanzania”
Young Stunna – “Adiwele”
TitoM & Yuppe – “Tshwala Bam”
Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow & Tebogo G Mashego – “Biri Marung” ft. DJ Maphorisa, Focalistic & Scotts Maphuma
Blxckie – “David”
Tyla – “Water”
Dlala Thukzin – “Sohlala Sonke”
Uncle Waffles – “Wadibusa”
K.O – “SETE”


International Artist of the Year (Africa):

Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Davido (Nigeria)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Tems (Nigeria)
Fally Ipupa (DRC)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
Sauti Sol (Kenya)
Omah Lay (Nigeria)
Tyla (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles (South Africa)


Best Radio Show (South Africa):

The Touchdown with Tbo Touch (Metro FM)
The Roger Goode Show (5FM)
The Midday Link-up (Metro FM)
Woza Nabangani Bakho (Ukhozi FM)
The Big Breakfast Show (Radio 2000)
The Kaya Countdown (Kaya 959)
The Eskhaleni Party (Radio 2000)
The Great Drive with Kyeezi (Good Hope FM)
5 Hip Hop Nights (5FM)
947 Drive with Thando (947)
Home Run with Ayanda MVP (YFM)


Best International Collaboration (South Africa x Global):

Tamsir & Team Paiya – ‘Coup du Marteau’ (Ivory Coast)
Tyla & Tems – “No.1”
TitoM & Yuppe & Burna Boy – ‘Tshwala Bam’ (Remix) [Ft. S.N.E] (South Africa/Nigeria)
Usimamane Ft. Rick Ross – “Dangerous”
Kocee ft. Patoranking – ‘Credit Alert’ (Cameroon/Nigeria)
Continental by King Promise ft. Shallipopi
One Call by Spinall ft. Tyla and Omah Lay
Active by Asake ft. Travis Scott
Asake & Wizkid – ‘MMS’ (Nigeria)
Rema & Shallipopi – ‘Benin Boys’ (Nigeria)


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