Prince Kaybee Questions Music Awards Value After Zee Nxumalo’s Metro FM Snub

Prince Kaybee has weighed in on the credibility of music awards after Zee Nxumalo snub at the Metro FM Music Awards 2026 held in Durban. His response came after Nxumalo failed to secure a single win. In a public reaction, Kaybee dismissed the importance of awards, stating that they “don’t mean anything.”

Nxumalo breakout single “Funk 55” achieved 5 times platinum certification in South Africa, while her releases maintained strong performance on streaming platforms. She secured seven nominations at the Metro FM Music Awards. She was nominated in the Artist of the year, Best female artists, Best styled artists, Best music video, Best Gqom, Best maskandi and Best Lekompo categories. Despite this, she did not win in any category.

Photo: Instagram

She wrote on her X page:

“God, you’re confusing me. I just lost 7 awards, but my new EP is doing WELL, what must happen?” 

Kaybee argued that artists who rely on awards for validation place their careers in systems they cannot control. Judging panels, internal processes, and voting structures, he suggested, are not always transparent.

Read Also: Social Media Reacts as Sni Mhlongo and Zamani Mbatha Reunion Rumours Trend on 

The Awards ceremony was meant to celebrate achievements in different genres. However, the aftermath has been dominated by questions of credibility. Meanwhile, Somizi Mhlongo, a media personality, encouraged Nxumalo to remain focused.

Photo: Instagram

“Two things, and I’m going to be honest with you. In life, there’s something called your journey. You need to keep your eye on the prize, and your prize is who you are now and who you’re going to become moving forward,” he said.”

Kaybee’s comments show a broader sentiment within parts of the music industry, where award outcomes are increasingly questioned. The Zee Nxumalo snub is now part of a larger conversation about transparency and evolving standards of success within the South African music industry.