Rapper Kiernan "AKA" Forbes must be singing praises as he took centre stage when he received six nominations at this year's Metro FM Awards. Another artist who scored big is his friend and Sete hitmaker Ntokozo "K.O" Mdluli scooped seven nominations.?

A NIGHT OF GLAMOUR?

The night was lavish as celebrities came to celebrate the hard work put in by musicians and producers in the years 2022 and 2023. Held at Inanda Polo Club, in the upmarket Illovo suburb, Metro FM revealed the much-anticipated list of nominees in various categories. The submissions for this edition of the awards opened on 19 January 2023 and closed on 28 February 2023. During this period, Metro FM received over 900 entries. The long-awaited and prestigious ceremony will take place on 6 May 2023, at Mbombela Stadium, in Mbombela, Mpumalanga.

SMILING FROM THE GRAVE

AKA who was gunned down outside a restaurant on Florida Road in Durban earlier this year is nominated six times for his album Mass Country. "The Megacy did that," K.O tells ZiMoja. "I know wherever he is, he is happy to be nominated." His album was released just days after his funeral by his family and management company, Vth Season. "His team worked tirelessly on it. I am just sad that we won't be sharing a stage again and exchanging the usual banter about who might get more awards," K.O. says. "But I am happy to have been nominated. I am happy to have known him and shared great memories with him. We put in a lot of work in the projects and this is just a testament to that."

HERE IS THE FULL LIST OF NOMINEES?

Song Of The Year
K.O- SETE
AKA- Lemons (Lemonade)
Konke & Musa Keys -Kancane
Aymos- Fatela
Big Nuz -Ngeke
Kabza de Small- Khusela
Betusile Mcinga -Ngena Noah
Gaba Cannal -Healer Ntliziyo Yam
Sjava- Isoka
Wanitwa Mos 0Sofa Silahlane

?Best Afrosoul-Pop
Sjava -Isibuko
Zuko SA- Andikalibali
Brenda Mtambo- Enza Kwenzeke
Inkabi Nation- Voicemail
Mlindo The Vocalist- Lindokuhle

?Best Amapiano Song
Deep London -Hamba Wena
Gaba Cannal Healer -Ntliziyo Yam
Kabza De Small -Khusela
Daliwonga- Abo Mvelo
Wanitwa Mos -Sofa Silahlane

?Artist Of The Year
K.O -Sete
Wanitwa Mos- Sofa Silahlane
AKA -Lemons (Lemonade)
Nomfundo Moh- Izibusiso
Sjava- Isoka

Best Jazz Album
Linda Sikhakhane -Isambulo
Nduduzo Makhathini- In The Spirits of Ntu
Spartz- Awake

Best New Age R&B Artist
Manana-Patiently
MOE-Me Ever After
Thando Nje- Our Story: Untold
Venom & Shishiliza- uThando
Z?dok Othanda Mina

Best Collaboration Song
AKA feat. Nasty C Lemons (Lemonade)
K.O feat. Young Stunna & Blxckie SETE
Kususa, Argento Dust & Zakes Bantwini Asanda
Aymos feat. Ami Faku Fatela
Sjava feat. Q Twinz & Mzukulu Isoka

Best Duo or Group
Mafikizolo -Kwanele
Big Nuz- Ngeke
Mellow & Sleazy -Wenza Kanjani
Kwesta and Kabza De Small -Mrholo Wayizolo
Inkabi Nation- Voice Mail

Best Female Artist
Nomfundo Moh- Izibusiso
Makhadzi African Queen- 2.0
Simmy-Hlelo
Brenda Mtambo- Enza Kwenzeke
Hle- You're The Worthy One

Best Gospel Album
Dumi Mkokstad- The Over Flow
Soweto Gospel- Choir Hope
Khaya Mthethwa- Art & Worship
Kingdmusic- Perfect Love
Pastor Lungi Ndala -Victorious Praise

Best Hip Hop Artist
AKA -Mass Country
K.O- SR3
Nasty C -Ivyson Army Tour Mixtape
Blxckie -The4Mula
Maglera Doe Boy- Diaspora

Best House Song
Kususa, Argento Dust & Zakes Bantwini Asanda
Mthandazo Gatya ft. Nhlonipho Sizobambana
Karyendasoul ft. Ami Faku Umthandazo
Caiiro ft. Pixie L Lwandle
Skye Wanda Amazwi

Best Kwaito/Gqom Song
Big Nuz-Ngeke
Dj Tira -Sikilidi
Kwesta and Kabza De Small -Mrholo Wayizolo
Spikiri -Tana La
Professor -Ezangakini

Best Male Artist
AKA -Lemons (Lemonade)
K.O-Sete
Kabza de Small- Khusela
Sjava- Isoka
Mthandazo Gatya- Sizobambana

New Artist
Oufadafada -I can't give up
CocoSA- I never thought
Group Chat- Mama
Mayten -Wait on me
Tee Tee- Andizenzi

Styled Artist
Mafikizolo
Musa Keys
Sjava
Daliwonga
Sino Msolo

Best Music Video
K.O- Sete
AKA- Lemons (Lemonade)
Dj Tira- Sikilidi
Wanitwa Mos- Sofa Silahlane
Costa Titch- Big Flexa Remix

Best Viral Challenge
Deep London feat Boohle- Hamba Wena
DJ Maphorisa & Visca -Ba Straata
Felo Le Tee & Toss -Manca
Myztro feat Focalistic, Daliwonga,Shaunmusiq,Ftears- Tobetsa
K.O. feat Young Stunna and Blxckie - Sete