The 20th Urban Music Awards took center stage at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria on Saturday, 3 May, celebrating the best in South African and international urban music. The night was one to remember, especially for Kamo Mphela, who emerged as the biggest winner with three major accolades.
The versatile dancer, performer, and Amapiano sensation took home Best Female Act, Best Live Performance, and Best Music Video for her smash hit “Dalie”, which features Tyler ICU, Khalil Harrison, and Baby S.O.N. The song, known for its catchy beat and viral dance, has dominated charts and social media trends for months, cementing Kamo’s position as a leader in the genre.
Another major win of the night went to Uncle Waffles, who was honoured with Best DJ (South Africa). The internationally acclaimed spinner continues to break boundaries and wave the Amapiano flag high across global stages. Her win signifies a growing recognition of female DJs and their impact in the male-dominated electronic and dance music scene.
The duo Mellow & Sleazy, known for their production mastery and street-anthem Amapiano bangers, were awarded Best Group (South Africa), while hitmaker DJ Maphorisa added another accolade to his collection, winning Best Amapiano Act. His influence continues to shape the sound and reach of South Africa’s most popular genre.
Internationally, Nigerian megastar Burna Boy shared the Best International Collaboration (South Africa x Global) award with TitoM and Yuppe for their remix of “Tshwala Bam”, featuring S.N.E. The award reflects the increasing cross-border collaboration in African music and the global reach of the Amapiano genre.
Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, and Tebogo G Mashego also walked away with recognition, winning Best Viral Breakthrough Song for “Biri Marung”, a track that gained traction online for its unique style and catchy hook.
The 2024 Urban Music Awards were a celebration of musical innovation, dance culture, and genre-blending success. With Amapiano continuing to thrive locally and globally, artists like Kamo Mphela, Uncle Waffles, and Mellow & Sleazy are proving that South African music is not just trending — it’s here to stay.
