The post Metro FM Music Awards 2026 Omits Best Hip Hop Category appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
Metro FM Music Awards 2026 Omits Best Hip Hop Category. The South African music scene is alive with debate after the announcement of nominations for the Metro FM Music Awards 2026 (MMA26), with fans and artists reacting sharply to the disappearance of a dedicated Best Hip Hop category this year.
Metro FM, one of South Africa’s leading radio stations under the SABC umbrella, revealed the nominees on February 26, 2026, during a live-streamed event on SABC Plus. The ceremony celebrated top contenders across multiple genres.
Artists such as Jazzwrld and Thukuthela led the pack with multiple nominations, while strong representation also came from Amapiano, African Pop, Maskandi, and the newly introduced Lekompo category. Observers, however, immediately noticed that a separate Best Hip Hop award was missing from this year’s lineup.
This category had been a regular feature in previous years, including the 2025 edition, when K.O and Nasty C’s “Too Much” won Best Hip Hop Song. Social media quickly erupted with reactions. Fans took to Facebook and Instagram to express disappointment.
While hip-hop stars such as Nasty C, Stogie T, A-Reece, and K.O continue to dominate the South African music scene, their work this year may only compete in broader categories such as Song of the Year or Best Collaboration.
Metro FM’s official awards website previously listed Best Hip Hop as a category for artists judged on excellence in the genre. The current announcements, however, focus on other urban and traditional styles, with Amapiano maintaining prominence and regional genres like Lekompo and Maskandi gaining attention. Organisers have yet to release an official explanation, though award rules allow for category cancellations if fewer than three submissions are received, with notice given for resubmission.
The absence of a dedicated hip-hop category has sparked discussion about representation in South African music awards. Hip hop has long been a dominant force in Mzansi culture, producing global stars and shaping youth playlists.
The post Metro FM Music Awards 2026 Omits Best Hip Hop Category appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
The post Metro FM Music Awards 2026 Omits Best Hip Hop Category appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
Metro FM Music Awards 2026 Omits Best Hip Hop Category. The South African music scene is alive with debate after the announcement of nominations for the Metro FM Music Awards 2026 (MMA26), with fans and artists reacting sharply to the disappearance of a dedicated Best Hip Hop category this year. Metro FM Music Awards 2026 …
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