K.O was nominated in seven categories, including Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration Song, Best Hip Hop Artist and Best Male Artist. It was anticipated that AKA would win a number of those awards, following his murder earlier this year and the release of his last album.
But K.O was at least expected to win the Song of the Year award for his song Sete featuring Young Stunna and Blxckie.
A TKO for K.O
The award went to Gospel artist Betusile Mcinga for his hit, Ngena Noah. Parts of the audience cheered when Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa sang the Gospel song to announce he had won, while some sections of the crowd seemed shocked that Sete didn’t win the award.
K.O wasn’t present on the night, as he was in the UK. He was performing in Manchester on Saturday night, having performed in Dublin, Ireland on Friday night. A number of people online were disappointed with K.O’s snub.
ALSO READ: Most-nominated K.O takes over the UK as Metro Awards take over his hometown
Black was back at Metros
Themed Black is Back, the Metro FM awards were held for the first time in five years, at Mpumalanga’s Mbombela stadium.
The awards were well attended, with the likes of Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola, Group Chief Executive Officer at SABC Madoda Mxakwe and former SABC spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago and the Forbes family in attendance.
Lamola told The Citizen he was looking forward to the performances ahead of the event. But when asked which artist he was rooting for on the night, the Minster was rather coy, only saying “all of them”.
AKA scooped four of the six awards he was nominated for and was the night’s biggest winner. While the Forbes family was accepting one of the four awards, the crowd chanted Kairo’s name, who was on stage with her grandparents and AKA’s team.
As expected, Nduduzo Makhathini walked away with the Best Jazz Album, with his award being accepted by his brother. Duo Mafikizolo were bestowed with the Lifetime Award, so too was Dr Esther Mahlangu.
Mcinga was one of the night’s standout performances, including Mafikizolo and Musa Keys. The latter won the Best Styled Artist and true to the award, he looked stylish in his fluffy pink jacket.
“I feel great bro,” an excited Musa Keys told The Citizen after coming off stage.
“I was expecting it, I knew [that I would win],” said Musa Keys, who was rushing to perform at another event.
SABC Group Executive for Radio Ms Nada Wotshela was pleased with how the awards went.
“We are truly delighted with the success of the Metro FM Music Awards 2023, which has cemented its place as the biggest and most prestigious music award ceremony on the South African entertainment calendar,” said Wotshela in a statement.
ALSO READ: Makhadzi wins ‘Best Female Artist’ amid record label drama
