The first lady of Inkabi Records, Lwah Ndlunkulu, has emerged as a top contender in this year’s Basadi in Music Awards with an impressive four nominations. Her hit song Ngiyeza places her in the prestigious Afro Pop Artist of the Year category alongside Brenda Mtambo, Kelly Khumalo, Lioness Mohoje, and Nomfundo Moh. Additionally, her collaboration with Siya Ntuli on Ithuba earns her a Song of the Year nomination, while her featured appearance on Fifi Cooper’s Ngeke secures a nod for Best Hip Hop. Lwah Ndlunkulu is also vying for the coveted Artist of the Year title.
BIGGER & BETTER
The Basadi in Music Awards (BIMA) return and this time they announced their expansion into the global music industry, reaching out to the rest of Africa and providing international opportunities. Held today at the Joburg Theatre, the nominees announcement was hosted by the charismatic Tumelo Candice Modiselle. She captivated the audience with her energy and passion for the music industry.
THE CATEGORIES
BIMA presented the nominees in 24 categories and announced recipients of two special categories, the CEO’s Mosadi in Business Achievement Award and the Mosadi in Music in Africa Award, which was among three newly introduced categories alongside Reggae Artist of the Year, Nando’s Emerging Artist of the Year, and Mosadi in Music in Africa awards. "BIMA is proud to provide global opportunities to artists, connecting them with the rest of Africa and beyond. Voting lines are open, so we urge you to make your voice heard and ensure your favourite walks away with a prestigious Basadi in Music Award," says BIMA CEO, Hloni Modise.
AMAPIANO IS STILL ON TOP
Earning three nominations each are Pabi Cooper, Uncle Waffles and Ney the Bae, who co-hosted the inaugural Basadi in Music Awards in 2022. Pabi Cooper’s Waga Bietjie positions her as a strong contender in the categories of Sof’nFree Amapiano Artist of the Year, Music Video of the Year and Song of the Year, which she won at the 2022 Basadi in Music Awards. Uncle Waffles is nominated for Artist of the Year and DJ of the Year, while her collaboration Yahyuppiyah with Tony Duardo, Justin99, Pcee, Eeque, and Chley earns a Song of the Year nod. Ney the Bae’s collaboration with Nadia Nakai on Thick Slim lands her a nomination in the Best Duo/Collaboration category, and her tracks Hi Everybody and Ingwe featuring Given Zulu earn nominations for Best Hip Hop Artist and Best Music Video, respectively.
BOSS BABES
The CEO Mosadi in Business Achievement Award recipients, Nhlanhla Mafu, Thando Thabethe and Boity have displayed remarkable leadership, innovation, and resilience in their respective ventures. The Mosadi in Music in Africa Award recipients, Berita (Zimbabwe), Maleh (Lesotho), Mpho Sebina (Botswana), Sefa (Ghana), and Victoria Kimani (Kenya), have not only enriched the music scene in their respective countries but have also made a profound impact across the African continent..
Here’s the full list of nominees:
1. AFRO POP ARTIST OF THE YEAR (Artist - Song Title)
1. Brenda Mtambo - Enzakwenzeke
2. Kelly Khumalo - Akathintwa
3. Lioness Mohoje - Dipotso
4. Lwah Ndlunkulu - Ngiyeza
5. Nomfundo Moh - Izibusiso
2. SOF’NFREE AMAPIANO ARTIST OF THE YEAR (Artist - Song Title)
1. Boohle Ft Murumba Pitch & Gaba Cannal - Undenza Ntoni
2. Kamo Mphela Ft Various Artists - Hanna Montana
3. Khanyisa Jaceni Ft Sir Trill, Marcus Mc, Tycoon & Ben Da Prince - Gyjima
4. Nkosazana Daughter Ft Murumba Pitch, Master Kg & Lowsheen - Ring Ring Ring
5. Pabi Cooper Ft Mello & Sleazy - Waga Bietjie
3. ARTIST OF THE YEAR
1. Lizwi
2. Lwah Ndlunkulu
3. Makhadzi
4. Skye Wanda
5. Uncle Waffles
4. DANCE ARTIST OF THE YEAR (Artist - Song Title)
1. Maline Aura Ft Karyendasoul - Ifu
2. Manana Highness - Ngifuna Wena
3. Nuzu Deep- Come Find Me
4. Simmy Ft Msaki - Hlelo
5. Skye Wanda - Amazwi
5. DJ OF THE YEAR
1. Lady Amar
2. Lamiez Holworthy
3. Ms Cosmo
4. Pru Luv
5. Uncle Waffles
6. DUO/COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR (Artist - Song Title)
1. Bontle Smith, Nia Pearl And Nicol Elocin - My Love
2. Group Chat - Mama
3. Ney The Bae And Nadia Nakai - Thick Slim
4. Qwabe Twins - Sobonana
5. Txc And Khanyisa - Vuka Mawulele
7. NANDO’S EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
1. Black Villain
2. Buzzi Lee
3. Gemma Fassie
4. Noluthando Ngema
5. Qaqamba Ntshinka
8. ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
1. Amanda Matshaka - SA POSITIVE NEWS
2. Andiswa Ngenyane - DAILY SUN
3. Masego Seemela - SOWETAN SMAG
4. Nokubongwa Phenyane - ISOLEZWE
5. Nokuthula Zwane - YOU magazine
9. ENTERTAINMENT RADIO PRESENTER OF THE YEAR
1. Khutso Theledi - The Break Away - METRO FM
2. Lerato Kganyago - Midday Link Up - METRO FM
3. Lethabo Lejoy Mathatho - Monate Breakfast Show - THOBELA FM
4. Mittah Ledimo - The Kickstart On The Bloem Rise Breakfast Show - RADIO BLOEM
5. Thando Thabethe - 947 Drive With Thando - 947
10. ENTERTAINMENT RADIO PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
1. Ayanda Melansi - Jabul’ Ujule - UKHOZI FM
2. Kgoshigadi Rangata - Power Experience - POWER FM
3. Masego Tlhakanye - 5 Weekend Breakfast - 5 FM
4. Phila Tyekana - The Touchdown - METRO FM
5. Pru Luv - Midday Link Up - METRO FM
11. ENTERTAINMENT TV PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
1. Layinah Petersen Espresso Show - S3
2. Mathawe Matsapola The Morning Show - ETV
3. Mbali Gamede Lifestyle 101 - Soweto TV
4. Philisa Bidi Massive Music - CHANNEL O
5. Thapelo Mowela Morning Live - SABC 2
12. GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
1. Athandie Mvusi - Thixo Akunangqaleko
2. Bucy Radebe - Vuka Jona
3. Hle - Take Heart
4. Mmatema - My Time Is Now
5. Ntokozo Mbambo - Ngcwele Nkosi
13. HIP-HOP ARTIST OF THE YEAR
1. Faith K - Ongen’koti
2. Fifi Cooper Ft Lwah Ndlunkulu - Ngeke
3. Nadia Nakai Ft Lucasraps - Not The Same
4. Ney The Bae - Hi Everybody
5. Rouge - Turn It Up
14. JAZZ ARTIST OF THE YEAR
1. Gloria Bosman - Bonga Njalo
2. Katalia - Bophelo
3. Thandi Ntuli - Inkululeko
4. Thesis Za - Chosi
15. MUSIC TV PRESENTER OF THE YEAR
1. Ntombee Mzolo - Yash’ Ingoma
2. Pamela Mtanga - Massive Music
3. Senelisiwe Mbongwa - Soweto Tv Gospel Xplosion
16. MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
1. Jamie Lee-Sexton - Run Run Run
2. Kamo Mphela Ft Various Artists - Ghost
3. Lwah Ndlunkulu - Ngiyeza
4. Ney The Bae Ft Given Zulu - Ingwe
5. Pabi Cooper Ft Mello & Sleazy ?" Waga Bietjie
17. NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
1. Dimahr - Uptown Girls
2. Dimakatso Lee - Holokile
3. Eves Manxeba Ft May Jack - Ukukhanya
4. Group Chat - Mama
5. Kele M - Awake
18. POP ARTIST OF THE YEAR
1. Herrah - 7PM
2. Holly Rey - Stripped
3. Jamie-Lee Sexton - Run Run Run
4. Rah Punzl - Don’t Stop
5. Tamara Dey - Disco Therapy
19. REGGAE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
1. Delta The Leo - Pum Pum
2. Dimahr - Uptown Girls
3. Empres Lilly - One Day
4. Reign Afrika - Bazali Bam
5. Zama Sunshine - Tell Me
20. SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR
1. Mandz Not Hot
2. Nelisiwe Sibiya
3. Pamela Mtanga
4. Thato Immaculate
5. Tshidi Kekana Manganye
21. SONG OF THE YEAR
1. Undeza Ntoni byBoohle Ft Murumba Pitch and Gabba Canal -
2. Hamba Juba by Lady Amar, Jl Sa. Cici and Murumba Pitch
3. Ithuba byLwah Ndlunkulu Ft Siya Ntuli
4. Waga Bietjie by Pabi Cooper Ft Mello & Sleazy
5. Yahyuppiyah by Uncle Waffles,Tony Duardo, Justin99 Ft Pcee, Eeque and Chley
22. SAMRO SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
1. Gloria Bosman
2. Jamie Lee Sexton
3. Lioness Mohoje
4. Msaki
5. Phumla Music
23. STYLIST OF THE YEAR
1. Boogy Maboi
2. Lindo Mnguni
3. Lindu Stylist
4. Nhlanhla Mafu
5. Odirile
24. TRADITIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
1. Candy Tsamandebele ft Henny C - Rato Laka
2. Dr Buselaphi ft Camagwini & Shota - Uma khanda Khanda
3. Dr Sophy - Vamaseve wa Mina
4. MmaAusi - Chiba le Kgomo
5. Pleasure Tsa Manyalo - Mahlako Roko Ya Mosadi
NON-VOTING CATEGORY RECIPIENTS
25. CEO MOSADI IN BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS
1. Nhlanhla Mafu for NN Vintage
2. Thando Thabethe for Thabooty’s Underwear and Shapewear
3. Boity for BE YOU by Boity and BT Signature
26. MOSADI IN MUSIC IN AFRICA AWARD RECIPIENTS
1. Berita (Zimbabwe)
2. Maleh (Lesotho)
3. Mpho Sebina (Botswana)
4. Sefa (Ghana)
