By Celani Sikhakhane
- Young artists from rural KwaZulu-Natal walked away with top honours at the Metro FM Awards.
- Their music label says it’s proving global stars can rise from forgotten villages.
Young artists from a remote part of KwaZulu-Natal have made history by winning big at the Metro FM Music Awards, and they did it with a viral hit born in the heart of the rural South Coast.
WOODBLOCK DJ, a group made up of Sicelo Nkomo and Mthobisi Mthembu, scooped two top awards, Best Viral Challenge and Song of the Year, for their hit track Skuta Baba.
The pair are signed under SoldOut Media, a label founded by seasoned music manager Xolani Majozi, who is known for managing Grammy-winning group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
SoldOut Media’s other rising star, Neo Dube, also made her mark by winning Best New Artist. Dube previously performed in Spain and said the win is a proud moment for her and the label.
“We are based in KwaZulu-Natal with a growing national and international footprint,” she said.
“It’s historic for us as young artists to make a mark on a national stage like the Metro FM Awards. We’re proud to be the first product to make our company and fans proud in the South African music scene.”
SoldOut Media was launched in 2015 and released its first single in 2020, Sizobona Ngomopho by Simphiwe Majozi, who is also a well-known actor on SABC’s Uzalo.
Dube said the song marked their transition from managing artists to producing and publishing music.
She told Scrolla.Africa the label is focused on uplifting talent from underrepresented rural areas, especially uMzumbe — a remote village near Port Shepstone on the South Coast.
“Our biggest challenges are access to recording studios, industry gatekeeping and making sure artists understand the business side of things,” she said.
“But our rural roots give us an authentic sound that connects with audiences. These wins are not just awards — they are a celebration of rural talent and resilience.”
She added that with Majozi’s experience, SoldOut Media is building global partnerships, growing on streaming platforms and exploring cultural exchange programmes to reach international audiences.
Financial literacy is also a big part of their artist development plan.
“We teach our artists how to budget, handle royalties and invest in their futures. We don’t want them to be stars who die poor after years of fame,” Dube said.
Pictured above: Rural KZN artists took SA music scene by storm at Metro FM Music Awards.
Image source: SoldOut Media
