South Africa’s rising stars DBN Gogo, Nomfundo Moh and Pabi Cooper  are leading the pack at the Basadi in Music Awards.

Hosted by seasoned media personality Dineo Ranaka, the nominees of the inaugural awards were announced on Wednesday, 06 July at  the Kaya 959 studios in Johannesburg.

Mandisa Radebe better known as DBN Gogo and the daughter of seasoned politician Jeff Radebe, is in the running for Artist of the Year, DJ of the Year and Song of the Year for Bambelela; while Pabi Cooper earned nods in SAMPRA Amapiano Artist of the Year, Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for Banyana ke Bafana.

Songbird Nomfundo Moh who is currently on a winning streak after the release of her hit song Phakade Lami and is nominated in Kaya 959 Afropop Artist of the Year, Artist of the Year and Song of the Year categories.

Limpopo’s finest, Makhadzi, received two nods at the prestigious awards that are geared at recognising women in the music fraternity.

Metro FM’s presenter Lerato Kganyago is in the running for the DJ of the Year and Entertainment Radio Presenter and she will also be honoured with the CEO’s Mosadi in Business Achievement Award.

Kwa-Zulu Natal-born songstress Simmy is also one of the lucky few that walked away with two nominations as she’s nominated for Artist of the Year and Sof’n Free Dance Artist of the Year while Chairo is nodded in Gospel Artist of the Year and Newcomer of the Year categories.

Skye Wanda is up for the Songwriter of the Year and Kaya 959 Afropop Artist of the Year and Jamie Lee Sexton is nominated in the Pop Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year categories.

Speaking to Nounouche Hloni Modise, CEO and founder of Basadi in Music Awards, said they  are proud of the calibre of nominees for the first ever Basadi in Music Awards.

“We send our congratulations and best wishes to our nominees. These awards have put power in the hands of the fan, the supporter and lover of South African music. We owe a debt of gratitude to the voters who were so keen and enthusiastic to vote their favourites in.”

“We call on them again to vote for the winners who will walk away with the prestigious trophies of Basadi in Music Awards. A note of appreciation also goes out to Kaya 959 who hosted us today and all the generous sponsors of Basadi in Music Awards,” she said.

While Managing Director Sibongile Mtyali at Kaya 959 said they are proud to sponsor the Afropop category for the first annual Basadi in Music awards.

“To be a part of an event that honours women in their endeavours is truly a pleasure. Congratulations to all the nominees who continue to break boundaries in this often male-dominated industry, embrace their power through the music and entertain us every day.”

AC Wines also commented and said they are are honored to sponsor the Jazz Category, because Jazz and wine mesh well together.

“They both allow innovators to express themselves in ways they would never otherwise be able to. We believe there is nothing greater than a glass of wine whilst listening to the jazz sound. Jazz is like wine, when it is new it is only for the experts, but when it gets older everybody wants it.”

Concluding the briefing Kiki Nadoda, Brand Manager of Sof’n Free  said the road to gender equality for women on our continent remains long and challenging, especially when it comes to the nuanced ways gender intersects with race, and sexuality.

” Sof’n Free is proud to join with the first annual Basadi in Music awards to celebrate some of our most influential and powerful female voices, who equally give us hope and raise the bar of excellence in this art form. We wish each nominee the very best! You inspire us to greatness.”

To vote for your favourite nominee; SMS the category code and nominee name to 49960. Each SMS is at a cost of R2 with no limit to the number of times the public can vote for their favourites. Closing date 31 July 2022 Midnight. Terms and conditions apply.