After scooping his first-ever music award at the Metro FM Music Awards on Saturday, all Amapiano superstar Babili "Aymos" Shili wanted to do was get home and celebrate his awards with his people.
Shili, who hails from Thembisa, won the Best Male and Best Music Video for "Izenzo", in which he collaborated with Bassie (Basetsana Maluleka).
“I am so proud. I can’t wait to get home to receive the love from my community. The fact that I gave them a shout-out means I expect some love from them," he said.
Although he did not win the Song of the Year award, he expressed contentment with what he had achieved.
Like any other winner, Shili expressed surprise at their victory.
READ: Aymos and Mthandazo Gatya set sights on scooping major awards at the Metros
Amapiano superstar, Aymos dressed by Xoli Designs says he hopes to win all the categories he is nominated in.#MMA24 pic.twitter.com/8dUuzzIZdu
— Karisa (@MpumeeMagagula) April 27, 2024
“I did not expect it. This is actually my first time winning an award, so I didn’t actually have much hope. I’m used to losing,” he laughed.
He added:
In a previous interview with City Press, the "Izenzo" hitmaker expressed his desire to win the Best Music Video award. He mentioned his love for working behind the scenes and creating the best visuals for songs, adding that when he retires from singing, he would focus fully on directing music videos.
READ: S'Villa on new music after a two-year-break and opening a record label
BIG WINNERS
Another Amapiano star, Mthunzi Ndimande, who worked with Kabelo Motha (Kabza De Small) on the "Isimo" album, accepted four trophies on the night at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga.
Ndimande and Motha won Best Collaboration, Best Amapiano, Best Produced Album, as well as Song of the Year for "Imithandazo", which currently has 25 million views on YouTube.Each award came with a cash prize of R50 000, while the biggest one of the night, Song of the Year, came with R150 000.
Kabza Da Small, Youngstuna , Mthunzi Sizwe Alakine, DJ Maphorisa and Umthakhathi Kush have won Best Collabo for Imithandazo. Mthunzi accepts the award. #MMA24 pic.twitter.com/N3ckCGudTr
— Karisa (@MpumeeMagagula) April 27, 2024
Ndimande told City Press that he was overwhelmed and excited because he did not see it coming.
“I have been doing this for a long time, but this is the very start. People will see what I am really about. I am not going to play games after seeing that people love what I do.”
Imithandazo takes Song of the Year???? R150k innit ??#MMA24 pic.twitter.com/BhROD35FUb
— Karisa (@MpumeeMagagula) April 27, 2024
Oskido encouraged other musicians to always remember to send the elevator down, adding that, for him, it was all about who he had helped get into the industry because the same was done for him.
Boom Shaka, Theo and Thembi Seete spotted at the black carpet.#MMA24 pic.twitter.com/KKgO1gXK2L
— Karisa (@MpumeeMagagula) April 27, 2024
Full list of winners:
BEST GOSPEL ALBUM
Ntokozo Mbambo: Lavish Worship
BEST JAZZ ALBUM
Amandla Freedom Ensemble: Oratorio Of A Forgotten Youth
BEST PRODUCED ALBUM
Kabza De small & Mthunzi – Isimo
BEST COLLABORATION
Kabza De small &Mthunzi; Imithandazo ft. dj Maphorisa; Young stunna; Sizwe Alakine; Umthakathi Kush
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Lwah Ndlunkulu
BEST VIRAL CHALLENGE
TitoM & Yuppe – Tshwala Bam ft S.N.E & EeQue
BEST NEW ARTISTS
Nontokozo Mkhize
BEST DUO/GROUP
Thee Legacy
BEST DANCE
Zakes Bantwini – Mama Thula ft Skye Wanda, Thakzin & Suffocate SA
BEST KWAITO/GQOM
DJ Kotin – Hello ft Big Nuz, Mshayi & Mr Thela
BEST HIP HOP
A-REECE: Ving Rhames
BEST AFRICAN POP
Bongeziwe Mabandla – Sisahleleleni
BEST AMAPIANO
Kabza De small &Mthunzi; – Imithandazo ft dj Maphorisa; Young stunna; Sizwe Alakine; Umthakathi Kush
BEST MUSIC VIDEO
Bassie & Aymos- Izenzo Ft. T-Man SA
BEST MALE
Aymos
BEST STYLED
Oscar Mbo
BEST R&B
Mthandazo Gatya – IN 2 U
BEST FEMALE
Makhadzi
SONG OF THE YEAR
Kabza De Small & Mthunzi – Imithandazo ft dj Maphorisa: Young stunna; Sizwe Alkaline; Umthakathi Kush