Fifi Cooper and EmTee dominate this year’s MetroFm Awards, reflecting the power of millenials and Hip Hop in South Africa

The South African music industry is a dynamic, ever changing fiefdom and its new ruler is rap. Hip Hop is staking its claim as the music de rigueur and as a mouth piece for the youth as young rappers took home major awards at the MetroFM Music Awards last night. Fifi Cooper won the prestigious Best Female award along with Best Mixtape and Best Produced Album while her label mate EmTee (23) took home 4 awards, including the Listener’s Choice award, Best Hip Hop Album and Best Music Video. The two millenials dominated the wins for the evening, and made serious bank as each category comes with a R100 000 prize. The expansion and opportunities in the African entertainment industry have expanded significantly in the past decade, resulting in more young people making music professionally. As the influence of Kwaito has dwindled and the sound sublimated into other genres, Hip Hop has come to rule the airwaves as rappers become the pop stars of this generation. MetroFM remains at the zenith of the music industry in South Africa and these awards indicate the influence of youth culture on entertainment, while there are established rappers still being recognised with AKA and Cassper Nyovest each taking home awards forBest Hit Single and Best Male album respectively, younger artists are being recognised for their talent and contributions to music in South Africa, a sign of shifting times and trends in the country.

A list of all the winners at this year’s MetroFM awards

SONG OF THE YEAR

Nathi – Nomvula

BEST MALE ALBUM

Cassper Nyovest – Refiloe

BEST AFRICAN POP ALBUM

Nathi – Buyelekhaya

BEST COMPILATION ALBUM

999 music – Summer Ya Di Summer

BEST DANCE ALBUM

Prince Kaybee – Better Days

BEST FEMALE ALBUM