Mzansi artists are showing off with numerous TRACE Awards 2025 nominations

by Nomonde Simelane

One would swear that the upcoming 2025 TRACE Awards were a local event as South African artists have not come to play, securing a nomination in almost every category.

2024 saw the global rise of South African music, which began with the coveted amapiano genre which has taken over almost every corner of the globe with its infectious sound that resonates with many around the world, regardless of race, culture or anything usually used to divide the masses. More local genres and sounds have since been making their way onto global and African shores, letting the world have a taste of how mzansi culture can manifest itself musically.

The prestigious awards show is set to take place on the 26 February 2025, in the ethereal Zanzibar, where some of the continent’s biggest and upcoming stars will convene to celebrate the excellence of African music, and its impact on the rest of the globe.

“The Trace Awards highlight the richness and excellence of Afro music through genres such as Afrobeat, dancehall, hip-hop, Afro-pop, mbalax, amapiano, zouk, kizomba, genge, coupé-décalé, bongo flava, soukous, gospel, rap, raï, kompa, RnB, and rumba. Artists from over 30 countries in Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, and Europe are competing in 24 categories,” the TRACE website explains.

Among many other categories, South Africa has secured multiple nominations in the ‘Song of the Year’ category, with Tyla, Tyler ICU as well as Tito M & Yuppe getting a nod for their offerings. Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, Tyler ICU and Uncle Waffles secured nominations for DJ of the year, while Nasty C and Maglera Doe Boy flew mzansi’s flag high in the ‘Best Hip Hop Artist’ category.

The likes of Nkosazana Daughter, Kelvin Momo, Dlala Thukzin and duo Inkabi Zezwe were also noticed for their contributions to the globalisation of South African music in various categories such as ‘Best Producer’ and ‘Best Newcomer’.

These awards proved to South Africans what they already suspected, which is that mzansi music and culture are on their way to global dominance, as South Africa slowly cements itself as the next global vacation destination.

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