Black, Wodumo eye Metros
Music awards nominees announced at glitzy party
FORMER Idols contestant Amanda Black and Wololo hit maker Babes Wodumo are leading the nominations for the 16th annual Metro FM Music Awards.
The newcomers received five and four nods each, respectively for their musical work this past year.
The announcement party was held at The Forum in Joburg on Tuesday.
The star-studded affair was attended by the likes of Kelly Khumalo, Bragga hit maker Nadia Nakai, afro-soul’s Robbie Malinga and TV presenter Lalla Hirayama. This year‘s awards will be held on February 25 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC Arena for the fifth year with the theme “What’s Next is All That Matters”.
“In 2016, we were still being legendary, but this time around we are not just proclaiming ‘Legends Don’t Stop, They Ask What’s Next’, we are solidifying that statement by anchoring it and pronouncing ‘What’s Next is All That Matters’.
“Now is the time to push harder than ever before, to learn lessons, to shatter those glass ceilings and be better than your best,” said Metro FM station manager Sibongile Mtyali.
Mtyali also confirmed that Durban would play host to next year’s Metro FM Music Awards.
New kids on the block Amanda Black and Babes Wodumo cemented their new found status in the industry with a raft of nominations including Best Female, Best Dance Song, Best New Artist and Song of the Year, Best African Pop Album and Best R&B Single shared among both.
Rapper Kwesta made his presence felt with nominations for Best Hip Hop album and Song of the Year, while gospel star Lebo Sekgobela received nominations in the Best Urban Gospel Album, Best Female and Song of the Year categories.
Metro FM radio personality and Club DJ Mo Flava said the nominations were all about the new school which made the awards that much more exciting.
“I am anticipating newer artists making bigger waves than last year,” TV presenter Luthando ‘Lootlove’ Shosha said, adding she was eager to see the new names on the music scene win.
“I’m excited for my favourites Kwesta and Nasty C. The night will be full of surprises and the awards journey filled with excitement,” she said.
Winners of the awards will be awarded R100000 each.
Voting lines will close on the February 12 at midnight.
New features added to the awards include music meets fashion, comedy and music workshop that aims to nurture upcoming talent on how to further expand their musical footprint assisted by music giants.