Zee Nxumalo has entered 2026 with remarkable momentum, earning seven major award nominations following what many consider a career-defining year in 2025. The rising South African star celebrated the milestone with a powerful performance at the Metro FM Music Awards nomination party held at The Forum Hyde Park, where industry leaders, media figures, and fellow artists gathered to mark the upcoming awards season.
The nominations come after a historic year that saw Zee Nxumalo reshape the competitive landscape of South African music. In 2025, she became the most streamed female artist in South Africa on the streaming platform Spotify, ending the four-year reign of global superstar Taylor Swift. Prior to Swift, the title had been held by Billie Eilish, making Zee’s achievement a significant generational shift in the country’s music scene.
What made the accomplishment even more impressive was the fact that Zee reached this milestone while releasing only one primary standalone single during the year. Her hit track “Mamma” became a standout record, helping her catalog surpass 100 million streams and establishing her as the most streamed local artist in South Africa across all genres. Much of this success was also fueled by high-profile features and collaborations that expanded her reach across multiple audiences.
Beyond streaming success, 2025 was a year filled with major career milestones for the young star. Zee Nxumalo headlined several major festivals, delivered impactful televised performances, and secured premium brand partnerships with companies such as Puma, McDonald’s, Heineken, and Nickelodeon. These collaborations expanded her cultural influence beyond music, positioning her as a youth icon whose presence resonates across fashion, entertainment, and lifestyle spaces.
Reflecting on the past year, Zee expressed gratitude for the growth and recognition she has experienced. She shared that the overwhelming response to “Mamma” reminded her why she pursues music and motivated her to continue evolving creatively.
“This past year changed everything for me,” says Zee Nxumalo. “Breaking records, seeing Mamma resonate the way it did, watching the fans show up in real life and online, it reminded me why I do this. These nominations feel like recognition not just of one song, but of the growth and the work behind the scenes. Releasing Aweh Mah and stepping into a new year with this kind of momentum is really exciting for me. 2026 is about going deeper musically and expanding across the continent and showing people that this is only the beginning”.
As 2026 begins, the artist has already released her first official single of the year, “Awe Mah,” alongside Dlala Thukzin. The song has quickly gained traction across digital platforms and is already being embraced as a youth anthem.
With award nominations, a viral single, sold-out merchandise, and major brand collaborations in the pipeline, Zee Nxumalo enters 2026 not just as a rising star, but as a defining voice of her generation. Her journey continues to reflect the power of local talent rising to global heights while shaping the sound and culture of contemporary African music.
