THE FUSE

After a career-defining 2025 that reshaped the competitive landscape of South African music, Zee Nxumalo began 2026 with extraordinary momentum, earning seven major award nominations and delivering a powerful live performance at the Metro FM Awards nomination party held at The Forum in Hyde Park.

The nominations follow what was widely regarded as one of the most dominant runs by a South African female artist in recent history.

In 2025, Zee Nxumalo became the most streamed female artist in South Africa on Spotify, ending Taylor Swift’s four year reign at number one. Before Swift, Billie Eilish held the title. The milestone marked a generational shift — a local artist out-streaming global superstars on home soil.

What makes the achievement even more remarkable is that Zee reached this historic peak while releasing only one primary standalone single during the year, ‘Mamma’, with the remainder of her dominance powered largely by features and collaborations. Her catalog surpassed 100 million streams, making her the most streamed local act in the country, across all genres.

Beyond streaming, 2025 saw Zee headline major festivals, deliver high-impact televised performance and solidify premium brand partnerships with Puma, McDonald’s, Heineken and Nickelodeon — partnerships that extended her cultural footprint far beyond music. Her live presence became synonymous with youth energy and stage command, and her project Inja Ye Game positioned her as a confident voice defining her era.

“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” Zee Nxumalo

Much of this year’s nominations stem from the success of ‘Mamma’, a record that expanded Zee’s artistic identity and showcased a new level of vocal maturity and stylistic range.

According to Wandile Madondo, CEO of TGTM Agency and co-manager of Zee Nxumalo, “Mamma” was a defining creative pivot. “‘Mamma’ was a massive stepping stone for us,” says Madondo. “It allowed Zee to stretch musically in a way the public hadn’t fully experienced yet. We leaned into live instrumentation textures, deeper storytelling and vocal layering. It showed that she isn’t boxed into one sound. From an A&R standpoint, that record proved she can dominate culturally while still evolving sonically. That’s rare.”

As 2026 begins, Zee has already released her first official single of the year,

‘Awe Mah’ ft. Dlala Thukzin has quickly become a youth anthem across digital platforms.

Her performance at the Metro FM Awards Nomination Party — where she delivered a high-energy set in front of industry leaders and media — reinforced her standing as one of the most compelling live performers in the country today.

For Shingai Darangwa, co-manager of Zee Nxumalo and Managing Director of Punchline Projects, the nominations are not simply celebratory — they are strategic confirmation.

“2025 Wasn’t accidental,” says Darangwa. “We were intentional about positioning, about scale, about ownership. To become the most streamed artist in South Africa — surpassing global icons — while releasing minimal solo records speaks to real demand. It speaks to brand equity.”

He continues, “Beyond the music, the business ecosystem around Zee has matured significantly. Our first merchandise drop sold out faster than projected, which told us something powerful — this isn’t just about streaming, it’s about cultural adoption. We now have a much larger capsule collection in development that reflects where she is creatively and visually. It’s elevated, it’s intentional and it’s built to scale.”

Darangwa also confirms that several major brand collaborations are currently in advanced pipeline stages for 2026.

“We’re expanding across categories. Fashion, lifestyle, youth culture — there are strong partnerships coming that will amplify her continental presence. We’re not just protecting her dominance locally; we’re building infrastructure for Africa.”

The nominations arrive at a pivotal time. They signal not just popularity, but consolidation. With a proven streaming record, award recognition, viral momentum and expanding brand leverage, Zee Nxumalo enters 2026 not as a breakout act — but as a benchmark.

“This is a strong start,” Darangwa adds. “But it’s also a statement. Zee is the dominant female force in this region right now. The data supports it. The culture reflects it. And 2026 is about reinforcing that position even further.”

As she continues to release new music, expand her brand footprint and deepen her artistic catalogue, Zee Nxumalo’s trajectory shows no signs of slowing.

Seven nominations. A viral single. A sold-out merch run. Expanding brand alliances. And a creative team ready to push further.

Photo Credit: Siyanda Henry Mkhabela