Despite receiving nominations in three of this year's Metro FM awards categories, Babili Aymos Shili said his eyes and heart were set on walking away with the Music Video of the Year Award.
In conversation with City Press following the announcement of this year's nominees in Bryanston on Wednesday, the musician was adamant about scooping the award in this category for what he loves most: directing music videos.
The video nominated in the category is for the song Izenzo, which currently has 18 million YouTube views and is also nominated in the song of the year as well as the best male category.
King Loot arrives at the #MMA24 nominees announcement party.She's back on Metro FM next week! @City_Press pic.twitter.com/2T5nFRxEbd
— Karisa (@MpumeeMagagula) March 27, 2024
He told City Press:
He added:
"I feel honoured because it is not every day you get nominated for the Metros which is one of the biggest radio stations in SA. It’s an honour, I’m overwhelmed. I hope I win this year though, because I heard there is a young compensation, we could do with that."
DJ Sabby and Khutso Theledi are the hosts tonight!#MMA24#Blacktothefuture @City_Press pic.twitter.com/T3NXSc8pze
— Karisa (@MpumeeMagagula) March 27, 2024
The musician said he felt like everyone he was nominated with was not only deserving of the award but would also give him a run for his money.
He said his competition was part of the reason he worked harder, because the more they did great, the greater he wanted to be. He told City Press that he was thankful to DJ Maphorisa (Themba Sekowe) for pushing him to always strive for greatness and relevance.
"He always said a song can be a hit now, but it will fade, so you must always work on the next hit while the other one is still hot. I used to hate him for that, because I thought I should rest, but when I look back and how far I’ve come, I am grateful to him," he said.
Competing with Shili among other artists on music video of the year is musician Mthandazo Gatya who is also nominated for best R&B.
Speaking about the culture of music awards in SA, The 31-year-old from Cofimvaba, Eastern Cape said there was room for improvement.
"I can be improved, people are allowed to learn from their mistakes, so we can’t say that we must completely cancel the awards because some people benefit from them."
It was announced that winners will not only walk away with trophies but each will receive R50 000 cash prize while the song of the year winner will take home R150 000. The awards ceremony will take place on Freedom Day on 27 April in Mbombela, Mpumalanga.
Here is the full list of nominees:
Best Gospel Album
Ntokozo Mbambo - Lavish Worship
Jumbo – Siyabonga.
HLE - Take Heart.
Best Jazz Album
Amandla Freedom Ensemble - Oratorio Of A Forgotten Youth
Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane – Izibongo
Mbuso Khoza - Ifa Lomkhono
Bokani Dyer - Radio Sechaba
Vusi Mahlasela – Umoya: Embracing The Human Spirit
Best Produced Album
De Mthuda & Da Muziqal Chef – Sgudi Snyc
Dlala Thukzin - Permanent Music 3
Inkabi Zezwe – Ukhamba
Kabza De small & Mthunzi – Isimo
Kelvin Momo – Kurhula
Best Collaboration
DJ Kent - Horns in the sun (Thakzin remix) ft Thakzin; Brenden Praise; Mo T; Morda
Kabza De small &Mthunzi – Imithandazo ft dj Maphorisa; Young stunna; Sizwe Alakine; Umthakathi Kush
Inkabi Zezwe – Umbayimbayi
Tyler ICU – Mnike ft Tumelo ZA, Dj Maphorisa: Nandipha808; CeekaRSA; Tyrondee
Mellow & Sleazy - Imnandi Lento ft Tman Xpress; SjavasDaDj; TitoM
Song of the Year
Oscar Mbo & KG Smallz - Yes God ft. Dearson, Morda, Mhaw Keys (Mhaw keys remix)
DJ KENT - Horns in the sun ft MoT; Brenden Praise; Morda; Thakzin (Thakzin remix)
Kamo Mphela –Dalie ft Baby S.O.N, Tyler ICU & Khalil Harrison
Tyla – Water
Kabza De small & Mthunzi – Imithandazo ft dj Maphorisa: Young stunna; Sizwe Alkaline; Umthakathi Kush
Dlala Thukzin – iPlan ft Zaba & Sykes
Tyler ICU – Mnike ft Dj Maphorisa: Nandipha808; CeekaRSA;Tyrondee
Bassie & Aymos - Izenzo Ft. T-Man SA
De Mthuda & Da Muziqal Chef - Sgudi Snyc ft Eemoh & Sipho Magudulela
DJ Stokie – Masithokoze ft Eemoh
Artist of the Year
Tyla
Oscar Mbo
Tyler ICU
Mörda
Lwah Ndlunkulu
Best Viral Challenge
Tyler ICU – Mnike ft Tumelo ZA, Dj Maphorisa: Nandipha808; CeekaRSA; Tyrondee
Tyla – Water
Kamo Mphela – Dalie ft Baby S.O.N, Tyler ICU & Khalil Harrison
TitoM & Yuppe - Tshwala Bam ft S.N.E & EeQue
Tebza De Dj - Ka Valungu ft. DJ Nomza The King
Best New Artist
Harry Cane
Nontokozo Mkhize
Sykes
Robin Fassie
Shakes & Les
Best Duo/Group
De Mthuda & Da Muziqal Chef
Inkabi Zezwe
Mellow & Sleazy
Tito M & Yuppe
Thee Legacy
Best Dance
DJ Kent - Horns in the sun ft MoT; Brenden Praise; Morda; Thakzin (Thakzin remix)
Dlala Thukzin – iPlan ft Zaba & Sykes
Heavy-K – Ulele ft Samthing Soweto, Thakzin & Professor
MORDA - Burning Bush ft. Thakzin & Ihhashi Elimhlophe
Zakes Bantwini - Mama Thula ft Skye Wanda, Thakzin & Suffocate SA
Best Kwaito/Gqom
DJ Kotin - Hello ft Big Nuz, Mshayi & Mr Thela
DJ Lag & Mr Nation Thingz - Hade Boss ft K.C Driller
Sykes - Sisestyleni Babies ft Skillz & RudeBoyz
Best Hip Hop
Cassper Nyovest – 018 ft. Maglera Doe Boy
Nasty C - Prosper In Peace ft Benny The Butcher
Khuli Chana – Khuliyano
Da L.E.S – Solo ft Manu World Star, Gemini Major, & NAVIO
A-REECE - Ving Rhames
Best African Pop
Inkabi Zezwe – Ukhamba
Lwa Ndlunkulu – Imizwa
Nomfundo Moh – Ugcobo
Zonke – Embo
Bongeziwe Mabandla – Amaxesha
Best Amapiano
De Mthuda & Da Muziqal Chef - Sgudi Snyc ft Eemoh & Sipho Magudulela
Mellow & Sleazy - - Imnandi Lento ft Tman Xpress; SjavasDaDj; TitoM
Kabza De small & Mthunzi – Imithandazo ft dj Maphorisa; Young stunna; Sizwe Alakine; Umthakathi Kush
Tyler ICU – Mnike ft Tumelo ZA, Dj Maphorisa: Nandipha808; CeekaRSA; Tyrondee
DJ Stokie - Awukhuzeki ft. Omit ST, Sobzeen, Zee_nhle
Best Music Video
De Mthuda & Da Muziqal Chef - Sgudi Snyc ft Eemoh & Sipho Magudulela
Tyla – Water
Kamo Mphela – Dalie ft Baby S.O.N, Tyler ICU & Khalil Harrison
Mthandazo Gatya - IN 2 U
Bassie & Aymos- Izenzo Ft. T-Man SA
Best Male
Aymos
De Mthuda
Kelvin Momo
Mörda
Kabza de Small
Best Styled
Zakes Bantwini
Mörda
DBN Gogo
Musa Keys
Oscar Mbo
Best R&B
Filah Lah Lah - Call Me
Nanette & Blxckie - Talk 2 Me ft. BGRZ
Tyla – Water
Mthandazo Gatya - IN 2 U
Nontokozo Mkhize - Lu Strong ft Nomfundo Moh
Best Female
Kamo Mphela
Ntokozo Mbambo
Tyla
Makhadzi
Lwah Ndlunkulu