Top contenders Nathi, Black Coffee, Riky Rick, Emtee and Zonke Dikana lead with four nominations each.

Emtee‚ who scooped four awards at the recent Metro FM Music Awards‚ joins Riky Rick and Nathi Mankayi as the most nominated artists at this year’s ceremony with four nods each.

Emtee‚ who scooped four awards at the recent Metro FM Music Awards‚ joins Riky Rick and Nathi Mankayi as the most nominated artists at this year’s ceremony with four nods each.

ALSO READ: Aka wins big, Riky Rick Okmalumkoolkat also win at South African Hip hop Awards

Emtee will compete with Riky for the title of Best Rap album and Best Newcomer‚ while all three artists will compete for the title of Best Male.

Zonke Dikana‚ Tresor and DJ Black Coffee also bagged three nominations. While‚ Zahara and Fifi Cooper both scored two nominations each.

Former SAMA award winner Cassper Nyovest failed to score any individual nominations this year‚ and will have to make do with a spot as part of a Best Collaboration nomination‚ for his track with Major League DJz‚ Slyza Tsotsi.

ALSO READ: Rapper AKA's album "Levels" goes gold

He will compete in that category against rival AKA who was nominated for his track 'All Eyes on me.' AKA was also nominated in the Best Remix category for his ‘Baddest’ Remix.

On why Cassper's new album did not make the nominations list, the rapper said via a tweet that he simply did not enter the album for the local music award show and that he would explain why through his music.

The award ceremony will take place at the Durban International Convention Centre on the 4th June 2016, and will be broadcast live on SABC1.

Peep full list of nominees:

Album of the Year:Francois van Coke - Francois van Coke    Emtee - Avery    Nathi - Buyelekhaya    Tresor - VIIBlack Coffee - Pieces of Me

Duo or Group of the Year:Desmond & the Tutus - Enjoy Yourself    Witness the Funk - Finding Nomusa    Marcus Wyatt & the ZAR Jazz Orchestra - One Night in the SunJunior Taurus &Cotton Candy - Lady Zamar             Big Nuz - For the Fans

Female Artist of the Year:Judith Sephuma - One Word    Zahara     - Country Girl    Fifi Cooper - 20Fifi    Karen Zoid - Drown Out the Noise    Zonke - Work of Heart

Male Artist of the Year:Nathi - Buyelekhaya    Black Coffee - Pieces of Me    Riky Rick - Family Values    Emtee    - Avery    Francois van Coke - Francois van Coke

Newcomer of the Year:Riky Rick - Family ValuesEmtee - Avery    Tresor - VII    Fifi Cooper - 20Fifi    Nathi - Buyelekhaya

Best Rock Album: Desmond & the Tutus - Enjoy YourselfFrancois van Coke - Francois van CokeShortstraw - YouthlessKaren Zoid - Drown Out the NoiseSaarkie – Reisiger

Best Pop Album:Tresor - VIILakota Silva - Pop: The Mix TapeLoki Rothman - The Way BackCan Skylark - OverdriveVincent Bones - Shaded SoulBeste Pop Album (Afrikaans):Karlien van Jaarsveld - My HartjieBrendan Peyper - Stop, Wag, Bly Nog ’n BietjieVaughan Gardiner - Sit Vanaand op HerhaalPierre Rossouw - In my BloedSuzanne - VuurbestandBest Adult Contemporary Album:  Judith Sephuma - One WordWatershed - Watch the RainKaren Zoid & Various - Republiek van Zoid Afrika Vol. 2Kahn - SaltJosie Field & Laurie Levine - TigerlilyBeste Kontemporêre Musiek Album: Elvis Blue - Êrens in die Middel van NêrensAndriëtte - Pêrel vir ’n Kroon        Neil Somers - Hierdie HandeBok van Blerk - Sing Afrikaner SingStiaan Reynierse - SondeBest African Adult Album:  Dizu Plaatjies & Friends - Ubuntu – The Common StringKabomo - SekusileThiwe - Soul TherapyL’wei Netshivhale - Mudzimu washuJessica Mbangeni - Busisiwe – Tribute to the African HeroinesBest Alternative Album: Petite Noir - La Vie Est Belle/Life is BeautifulSannie Fox - Serpente MasjienThe Plastics - In ThreesMoonchild Sanelly - Rabulapha!Die Heuwels Fantasties - Ja. Nee. Lekker (Deluxe)Best R&B/Soul/Reggae Album:Nathi - BuyelekhayaZonke - Work of HeartOlwethu - ImbewuZahara  - Country GirlThe Muffinz - Do What You LoveBest Rap Album: Emtee - AveryKid X - 3 Quarter PaceDa L.E.S - North GodRiky Rick - Family ValuesZakwe – ImpandeBest Kwaito Album    Big Nuz - For the FansDbn Nyts - BelieveKabelo Mabalane - Immortal Vol. 3Dj Bongz - Game ChangerMzansi - North Coast VibeBest Dance Album: Black Coffee - Pieces of MeMi Casa - Home Sweet HomeMobi Dixon - Tribal Soul Special EditionDJ Merlon - Original CopyJunior Taurus & Lady Zamar - Cotton CandyBest Traditional Faith Music Album:TYGC Family - The Journey BeginsWorship House - Project 12 Praise LiveWorship House - True Worship 2015Dumi Mkokstad - Ukhona UthixoWomen in Praise - Various ArtistsBest Contemporary Faith Music Album: Ntokozo Mbambo - Spirit and LifeMark Counihan - To the Brave OnesMahalia Buchanan - Redeemed to Worship24 Skies - Endless Anthem        Benjamin Dube - Sanctified in His Presence        Best Maskandi Album:Imithente - IchakijanaThokozani Langa - Khuzeka MshanaShwi no Mtekhala - Bazali BamiBuselaphi - Gabi GabiPhuzekhemisi    - Woze DurbanBest Jazz Album:Marcus Wyatt & the ZAR Jazz Orchestra - One Night in the Sun        Nduduzo Makhathini - Listening to the GroundBenjamin Jephta Quintet - Homecoming        Amandla Freedom Ensemble - BhekisiweBokani Dyer - World MusicBest Classical and/or Instrumental Album:Wouter Kellerman - Love LanguageGuy Buttery - Guy ButteryDeep South - HeartlandCape Consort - Christoph & Sebastian    KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra  - Mintirho ya SJ KhosaOrchestra         Best Live Audiovisual Recording:Jimmy Dludlu - Live at Emperors PalaceKrone - Krone 2Ntokozo Mbambo - Spirit and LifeNeyi & Omega - Friends in PraiseBenjamin Dube - Sanctified in His PresenceBest Collaboration:Dbn Nyts ft. Zinhle Ngidi & Trademark - ShumayaShekinah x Kyle Deutsch - Back to the BeachAKA ft. Redsan, Burna Boy & Stoneboy - All Eyes on Me         Major League DJz ft. Cassper Nyovest, Okmalumkoolkat, Riky Rick & Carpo - Sylza TsotsiKhuli Chana ft. Patoranking - No LieBest Music Video of the Year:Jack Parow & Freshly Ground - Army of OneRiky Rick ft. Cassper    Nyovest & Anatii - Fuseg         Al Bairre & PH Fat - Caviar DreamsiFani - AyadelelaMonark - Negatives DeluxeBest Produced Album of the Year:Zahara - Country GirlMi Casa - Home Sweet HomeSannie Fox - Serpente MasjienMark Counihan - To the Brave OnesZonke - Work of HeartBest Engineered Album of the YearBlack Coffee - Pieces of MeBrendan Peyper - Stop, Wag, Bly Nog ’n BietjieZonke - Work of HeartMi Casa - Home Sweet HomeMarcus Wyatt & the ZAR Jazz Orchestra - One Night in the SunBest Remix of the Year:DJ Sliqe - Do Like I Do RemixAKA - Baddest RemixMobi Dixon - My SugarMobi Dixon - Never Let Me Go RemixThe Fraternity - Bheka Mina Ngedwa Amplified

Category winners to be announced at the awards ceremony:

Special AwardsInternational and Lifetime Achievement Awards

Best Selling Mobile Music Downloads:Best Selling AlbumBest Selling DVDBest Selling Mobile Music DownloadBest Selling True-ToneBest Selling Ring-Back ToneBest Selling Full-Track Download

Sampra Award:Highest Airplay of the Year

Watch video of Emtee in 'Roll up' featuring AKA and Wizkid: