URBAN MUSIC AWARDS CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY WITH HISTORIC EXPANSION TO SOUTH AFRICA
Johannesburg, South Africa – March 2025 – The world-renowned Urban Music Awards (UMA) is celebrating its 20th anniversary with an unprecedented global expansion, launching in over 20 countries, with South Africa as the first to host the prestigious event.
Founded in 2003 in the United Kingdom, the UMA rapidly expanded into the USA in 2007, the Caribbean in 2008, and Asia in 2009. Now, with a clear mission to elevate South African music, musicians, producers, DJs, and artists to the global stage, the Urban Music Awards South Africa (UMA SA) will debut on May 4, 2025, at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria.
Bringing South African Music to the World
South Africa has long been a hotbed of musical talent. The global rise of Amapiano has demonstrated the power of South African creativity, with artists like Tyla and DJs like Black Coffee pioneering the genre. Songs like “Jerusalema” by Master KG and Nomcebo Zikode have further solidified the country’s influence in the international music scene. UMA SA seeks to amplify this impact, offering a powerful platform for South African artists to gain international recognition.
Since 1998, the UMA Academy, which boasts over 3.9 million musicians and music fans worldwide, has been instrumental in supporting hip-hop, R&B, soul, gospel, jazz, dance, house, grime, and more. The Academy was the first to introduce a fan-driven voting system, replacing traditional judging panels and allowing music lovers to decide winners.
A Global Stage for South African Artists
Founder & President of the Urban Music Awards, Jordan Kensington, commented:
“The launch of UMA South Africa is more than an awards ceremony—it’s a movement to empower South African artists with the tools to brand, monetize, and transcend global audiences across Europe, Asia, North America, and the rest of Africa. South African music is vibrant, diverse, and influential, and now is the time for the world to truly embrace its talent.”
Massive Broadcast Reach on VooVix TV
The Urban Music Awards South Africa will be broadcast live to audiences worldwide via VooVix TV, a free-to-watch television streaming service with over 4.5 million subscribers. Viewers from South Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, and beyond will tune in to witness the biggest celebration of African music talent.
South Africa’s Next Superstar
As part of UMA SA, the South Africa’s Next Superstar competition will uncover the next big name in music, offering one rising star the chance to perform live at UMA SA on May 4, 2025. This initiative underscores UMA’s commitment to fostering new talent and opening doors for South African musicians on the global stage.
Official World Charts Expanding into South Africa
UMA SA will also mark the launch of the Official World Charts in South Africa, giving local artists a direct pipeline to release music and engage with a charting system that has been in existence since 1998. This expansion will allow South African artists to compete in a global music market and gain the recognition they deserve.
Cressida Oppenheimer, Head of Global Partnerships at UMA and Official World Charts, added:
“We are thrilled to expand the Urban Music Awards and Official World Charts into South Africa. This expansion is a game-changer, offering South African artists an unparalleled opportunity to succeed on a global stage. Music tourism is a multi-billion-dollar industry, encompassing sales, concerts, tours, festivals, merchandise, and businesses, and our mission is to ensure South African music reaps the rewards worldwide.”
Public Voting Now Open!
Fans now have the chance to vote for their favorite nominees!
- Voting is open from March 10, 2025, until midnight on May 2, 2025.
- To vote, users must register their profile on www.telephonos.com and follow the direct link: www.telephonos.com/umavoting.
- The 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
Blxxie
Usimamane
Scotts Maphumas Maphuma
Lee-Mac
Casper 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:
Kabza De Small & Mthunzi – “Isimo”
Mellow & Sleazy, Sjavas De Deejay, TitoM– “Imnadi lento”
Die Piesangskille and Johan Balt – “Almal Gly”
Tyla & DJ Lag – “Overdue”
Makhadzi & Master KG – “Kulakwe”
Elaine & Blxckie – “Loving You”
KO & Nasty C – “Too much”
Woodblock Djs, Casper, Kwesta – “Skuta baba”
Scotts Maphuma, Maphorisa – “Biri Marung”
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”
Pretty Ugly – “Dust”
Sjava – “Isbuko”
25k – “Loyal to the Plug”
AKA – “Mass Country”
Best Amapiano Act:
Kabza De Small
Kelvin Momo
De Mthuda
DJ Maphorisa
Amos
Felo Le Tee
Leemackrazy
Scotts Maphuma
Uncle Waffles
Baballwa M
Tyla 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
Ncubeko 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 [Feat Baby S.O.N]
TXC & Davido – Yebo (Official Video) ft. Tony Duardo & LeeMckrazy & DJ Biza
Wanitwa Mos, Master KG, Nkosazana Daughter – Keneilwe (ft. Dalom Kids)
K.O – Let Me Cook (Official Music Video) ft. Maglera Doe Boy
Tyler ICU – Ebasini Wav.files ft. Leemckrazy, Tman Xpress, Ceeka RSA, Visca, AL Xapo, Sjavas DaDeejay
Mr JazziQ x Vigro Deep – Fede (Official Music Video)
Vigro Deep, DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small (ft. Focalistic, Scotts Maphuma) – A-Z (Yashi Moto)
Nasty C & @audiomarcdj – For Certain (Official Video)
Usimamane & Rick Ross – Dangerous II (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
Dee Koala – Gwan (Official Music Video) ft. Maglera Doe Boy
Priddy Ugly & Maglera Doe Boy ft. MashBeatz – NTJA’KA [Official Music Video]
DJ Maphorisa, XDuppy, Sean1401 – Ngibolekeni ft. Leemckrazy, Scotts Maphuma, Blxckie, Pcee, Kabelo Sings
Uncle Waffles & Royal Musiq – Wadibusa ft. Ohp Sage & Pcee (Official Music Video)
Tyla, Sean Paul – PUSH 2 START (REMIX – Official Music Video)
TitoM & Yuppe – Tshwala Bam [Ft. S.N.E & EeQue] (Official Music Video)
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 Radio Show (South Africa):
The Touchdown with Tbo Touch (Metro FM)
The Roger Goode Show (5FM)
The Midday Link-up (Metro FM)
The Drive with Mo Flava (Metro FM)
The Best T Drive (Ukhozi FM)
The Big Breakfast Show (R2000)
The Khaya Countdown (Kaya 959)
The Eskhaleni Party (R2000)
The Sound Supreme (Good Hope FM)
The Big Breakfast with DJ Sabby (YFM)
5 Hip Hop Nights (5FM)
The Fresh Breakfast (Metro FM)
Weekend Breakfast with Thando Thabethe (947)
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
VooVix TV
Music In Africa
OkayAfrica
Trace Africa
HYPE Magazine
Channel O Online
SA Hip-Hop Mag
Zkhiphani
YFM Online
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 International Collaboration (South Africa x Global):
Tyla & Tems – “No.1”
Master KG & Nkosazana Daughter – “Makhelwane”
Black Coffee & John Legend – “10 Missed Calls”
DJ Maphorisa & Drake – “Amapiano Nights”
Nasty C & Lil Wayne – “Dreams”
Burna Boy Ft. Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Nasty C – “4 You”
Makhadzi & Davido – “Tshikwama”
Cassper Nyovest & Wizkid – “Starboy”
Usimamane Ft. Rick Ross – “Dangerous”
Public Live Voting is now live via @ www.telephonos.com/UMAVoting until the 23.00hrs on the 2nd of May 2025
Contact Information for Press & Partnerships
For South Africa-related press, PR, partnerships, and media accreditations, contact: 📧 Kabelo@urbanmusicawards.net 📧 Kutlwano@urbanmusicawards.net 📧 Douglas@urbanmusicawards.net 📧 Thembani@urbanmusicawards.net
For Global & Rest of Africa inquiries, contact: 📧 Cressida@urbanmusicawards.net 📧 Sean.fuller@urbanmusicawards.net
About the Urban Music Awards
The Urban Music Awards (UMA) is the premier international awards ceremony for hip-hop, R&B, soul, gospel, jazz, dance, house, grime, and more. Since its inception in 2003, the UMA has recognized and celebrated the world’s biggest music stars, including Beyoncé, Adele, Ed Sheeran, Rihanna, Drake, Chris Brown, and more. With over 3.9 million UMA Academy members, the awards remain the only major music awards show where fans have the power to decide the winners.
Join us on May 4, 2025, for the biggest celebration of music in South Africa!
