Basadi in Music Awards (BIMA) 2023 Goes Global with Announcement of 2023 Nominees

The Basadi in Music Awards (BIMA) has officially announced its expansion into the global music industry, reaching out to the rest of Africa and providing international opportunities. This exciting development was unveiled at a prestigious event held on 29 June 2023 at the renowned Joburg Theatre, the official home of the BIMAs.

Leading the event with her charismatic presence was Tumelo Candice Modiselle, captivating the audience with her energy and passion for the music industry. The event was made possible through the generous support of main sponsors: Women in Music, Africa Rising Music Conference, SofnFree, CAPASSO, SAMRO, and Nando’s – who treated the esteemed guests to an unforgettable culinary experience.

BIMA proudly presented the nominees in 24 categories and announced recipients of two special categories, the CEO’s Mosadi in Business Achievement Award and the Mosadi in Music in Africa Award, which was among three newly introduced categories alongside Reggae Artist of the Year, Nando’s Emerging Artist of the Year, and Mosadi in Music in Africa awards.

Lwah Ndlunkulu, the first lady of Inkabi Records, emerges as a top contender in this year’s Basadi in Music Awards with an impressive four nominations. Her hit song Ngiyeza places her in the prestigious Afro Pop Artist of the Year category alongside Brenda Mtambo, Kelly Khumalo, Lioness Mohoje, and Nomfundo Moh. Additionally, her collaboration with Siya Ntuli on Ithuba earns her a Song of the Year nomination, while her featured appearance on Fifi Cooper’s Ngeke secures a nod for Best Hip Hop. Lwah Ndlunkulu is also vying for the coveted Artist of the Year title.

Earning three nominations each are Pabi Cooper, Uncle Waffles and Ney the Bae, who co-hosted the inaugural Basadi in Music Awards in 2022. Pabi Cooper’s Waga Bietjie positions her as a strong contender in the categories of SofnFree Amapiano Artist of the Year, Music Video of the Year and Song of the Year, which she won at the 2022 Basadi in Music Awards.
Uncle Waffles is nominated for Artist of the Year and DJ of the Year, while her collaboration Yahyuppiyah with Tony Duardo, Justin99, Pcee, Eeque, and Chley earns a Song of the Year nod. Ney the Bae’s collaboration with Nadia Nakai on Thick Slim lands her a nomination in the Best Duo/Collaboration category, and her tracks Hi Everybody and Ingwe featuring Given Zulu earn nominations for Best Hip Hop Artist and Best Music Video, respectively.

The CEO Mosadi in Business Achievement Award recipients, Nhlanhla Mafu, Thando Thabethe and Boity have displayed remarkable leadership, innovation, and resilience in their respective ventures. The Mosadi in Music in Africa Award recipients, Berita (Zimbabwe), Maleh (Lesotho), Mpho Sebina (Botswana), Sefa (Ghana), and Victoria Kimani (Kenya), have not only enriched the music scene in their respective countries but have also made a profound impact across the African continent.

Tickets are available at R300 from www.joburgtheatre.com. To support your favourite nominees, voting lines are now open. Cast your vote by sending an SMS to 49960 with the category code and the nominee’s name at the cost of R2 per SMS, e.g. to vote for Lady Amar as DJ of the Year, send “DJ, Lady Amar” to 49960. The Basadi in Music Awards (BIMA) winners will be unveiled during the highly anticipated awards ceremony on 12 August 2023.

BIMA CEO Hloni Modise: “We are immensely proud to announce the nominees for the Basadi in Music Awards. These exceptional women embody the strength, talent, and resilience that define the spirit of women in music. We are also proud to present the CEO’s Mosadi in Business Achievement Award to women driving change and shaping industries. Similarly, the Mosadi in Music in Africa Award recipients are women with distinct voices, powerful storytelling abilities, and true trailblazers for African women in music. BIMA is proud to provide global opportunities to artists, connecting them with the rest of Africa and beyond. Voting lines are open, so we urge you to make your voice heard and ensure your favourite walks away with a prestigious Basadi in Music Award.”

For pictures to the nominees event, please click on this link 

Please find the complete list of nominees and special award recipients below:

1. AFRO POP ARTIST OF THE YEAR (Artist – Song Title)

1. Brenda Mtambo – Enzakwenzeke  
2. Kelly Khumalo – Akathintwa
3. Lioness Mohoje – Dipotso    
4. Lwah Ndlunkulu – Ngiyeza  
5. Nomfundo Moh – Izibusiso  

2. SOFNFREE AMAPIANO ARTIST OF THE YEAR (Artist – Song Title)

1. Boohle Ft Murumba Pitch & Gaba Cannal – Undenza Ntoni
2. Kamo Mphela Ft Various Artists – Hanna Montana
3. Khanyisa Jaceni Ft Sir Trill, Marcus Mc, Tycoon & Ben Da Prince – Gyjima
4. Nkosazana Daughter Ft Murumba Pitch, Master Kg & Lowsheen – Ring Ring Ring
5. Pabi Cooper Ft Mello & Sleazy – Waga Bietjie

3. ARTIST OF THE YEAR

1. Lizwi
2. Lwah  Ndlunkulu
3. Makhadzi
4. Skye Wanda
5. Uncle Waffles

4. DANCE ARTIST OF THE YEAR (Artist – Song Title)

1. Maline Aura Ft Karyendasoul – Ifu
2. Manana Highness – Ngifuna Wena
3. Nuzu Deep- Come Find Me
4. Simmy Ft Msaki – Hlelo
5. Skye Wanda – Amazwi

5. DJ OF THE YEAR

1. Lady Amar
2. Lamiez Holworthy
3. Ms Cosmo
4. Pru Luv
5. Uncle Waffles

6. DUO/COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR (Artist – Song Title)

1. Bontle Smith, Nia Pearl And Nicol Elocin – My Love
2. Group Chat – Mama
3. Ney The Bae And Nadia Nakai – Thick Slim
4. Qwabe Twins – Sobonana
5. Txc And Khanyisa – Vuka Mawulele           

7. NANDO’S EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR

1. Black Villain              
2. Buzzi Lee                  
3. Gemma Fassie                     
4. Noluthando Ngema              
5. Qaqamba Ntshinka              

8. ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR (Journalist – Publication)

1. Amanda Matshaka – SA POSITIVE NEWS
2. Andiswa Ngenyane – DAILY SUN
3. Masego Seemela – SOWETAN SMAG
4. Nokubongwa Phenyane – ISOLEZWE
5. Nokuthula Zwane – NEWS 24

9. ENTERTAINMENT RADIO PRESENTER OF THE YEAR (Presenter – Show Name – Radio Station)

1. Khutso Theledi – The Break Away – METRO FM
2. Lerato Kganyago – Midday Link Up – METRO FM
3. Lethabo Lejoy Mathatho – Monate Breakfast Show – THOBELA FM
4. Mittah Ledimo – The Kickstart On The Bloem Rise Breakfast Show – RADIO BLOEM
5. Thando Thabethe – 947 Drive With Thando – 947

10. ENTERTAINMENT RADIO PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (Producer – Show Name – Radio Station)

1. Ayanda Melansi – Jabul’ Ujule – UKHOZI FM
2. Kgoshigadi Rangata – Power Experience – POWER FM
3. Masego Tlhakanye – 5 Weekend Breakfast – 5 FM
4. Phila Tyekana – The Touchdown – METRO FM
5. Pru Luv – Midday Link Up – METRO FM

11. ENTERTAINMENT TV PRODUCER OF THE YEAR(Producer – Show Name – TV Channel)

1. Layinah Petersen      Espresso Show  – S3
2. Mathawe Matsapola  The Morning Show – ETV
3. Mbali Gamede           Lifestyle 101 – Soweto TV
4. Philisa Bidi     Massive Music – CHANNEL O
5. Thapelo Mowela        Morning Live – SABC 2

12. GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR(Artist – Song Title)

1. Athandie Mvusi – Thixo Akunangqaleko
2. Bucy Radebe – Vuka Jona
3. Hle – Take Heart
4. Mmatema – My Time Is Now
5. Ntokozo Mbambo – Ngcwele Nkosi

13. HIP-HOP ARTIST OF THE YEAR(Artist – Song Title)

1. Faith K – Ongen’koti
2. Fifi Cooper Ft Lwah Ndlunkulu – Ngeke
3. Nadia Nakai Ft Lucasraps – Not The Same
4. Ney The Bae – Hi Everybody
5. Rouge – Turn It Up

14. JAZZ ARTIST OF THE YEAR(Artist – Song Title)

1. Gloria Bosman – Bonga Njalo
2. Katalia  – Bophelo     
3. Thandi Ntuli – Inkululeko
4. Thesis Za – Chosi

15. MUSIC TV PRESENTER OF THE YEAR (Presenter – Show Name)

1. Ntombee Mzolo – Yash’ Ingoma
2. Pamela Mtanga – Massive Music
3. Senelisiwe Mbongwa – Soweto Tv Gospel Xplosion

16. MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (Artist – Song Title)

1. Jamie Lee-Sexton – Run Run Run
2. Kamo Mphela Ft Various Artists – Ghost
3. Lwah Ndlunkulu – Ngiyeza
4. Ney The Bae Ft Given Zulu – Ingwe
5. Pabi Cooper Ft Mello & Sleazy – Waga Bietjie

17. NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR(Artist – Song Title)

1. Dimahr – Uptown Girls
2. Dimakatso Lee – Holokile
3. Eves Manxeba Ft May Jack – Ukukhanya
4. Group Chat – Mama
5. Kele M – Awake

18. POP ARTIST OF THE YEAR(Artist – Song Title)

1. Herrah – 7PM
2. Holly Rey – Stripped
3. Jamie-Lee Sexton – Run Run Run
4. Rah Punzl – Don’t Stop
5. Tamara Dey – Disco Therapy

19. REGGAE ARTIST OF THE YEAR(Artist – Song Title)

1. Delta The Leo – Pum Pum
2. Dimahr – Uptown Girls
3. Empres Lilly – One Day
4. Reign Afrika – Bazali Bam
5. Zama Sunshine – Tell Me                        

20. SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR

1. Mandz Not Hot
2. Nelisiwe Sibiya
3. Pamela Mtanga
4. Thato Immaculate
5. Tshidi Kekana Manganye

21. SONG OF THE YEAR(Song Title- Artist)

1. Undeza Ntoni  by Boohle Ft Murumba Pitch and Gabba Canal 
2. Hamba Juba by Lady Amar, Jl Sa. Cici and Murumba Pitch
3. Ithuba byLwah Ndlunkulu Ft Siya Ntuli
4. Waga Bietjie by Pabi Cooper Ft Mello & Sleazy
5. Yahyuppiyah by Uncle Waffles,Tony Duardo, Justin99 Ft Pcee, Eeque and Chley

22. SAMRO SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

1. Gloria Bosman
2. Jamie Lee Sexton
3. Lioness Mohoje
4. Msaki
5. Phumla Music

23. STYLIST OF THE YEAR

1. Boogy Maboi 
2. Lindo Mnguni
3. Lindu Stylist
4. Nhlanhla Mafu
5. Odirile

24. TRADITIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR(Artist – Song Title)

1. Candy Tsamandebele ft Henny C – Rato Laka
2. Dr Buselaphi ft Camagwini & Shota – Uma khanda Khanda
3. Dr Sophy – Vamaseve wa Mina
4. MmaAusi – Chiba le Kgomo
5. Pleasure Tsa Manyalo – Mahlako Roko Ya Mosadi

NON-VOTING CATEGORY RECIPIENTS
25. CEO MOSADI IN BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS

1. Nhlanhla Mafu for NN Vintage
2. Thando Thabethe for Thabooty’s Underwear and Shapewear
3. Boity for BE YOU by Boity and BT Signature

26. MOSADI IN MUSIC IN AFRICA AWARD RECIPIENTS                    

1. Berita (Zimbabwe)
2. Maleh (Lesotho)
3. Mpho Sebina (Botswana)
4. Sefa (Ghana)

Social Media Handles

• Instagram: @Basadiinmusicawards_sa
• Facebook: Basadi In Music Awards
• Twitter:     @Basadi_awards
• Website:   http://basadiinmusicawards.co.za/
• Hashtag:  #BasadiinMusicAwards2023