Musa Keys bagged the Best Styled Artist at the Metro FM Music Awards held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on Saturday night.
Image: Supplied.
South African music star Musa Keys has been crowned Best Styled Artist at the 2026 Metro FM Music Awards in Durban, further cementing his status as one of the country’s most influential cultural tastemakers.
Born Musa Appreciate Makamu, the chart-topping artist has become synonymous with bold, carefully curated fashion choices that mirror the creativity and sophistication of his music. Known for blending cutting-edge streetwear with refined luxury aesthetics, Keys has carved out a distinctive visual identity that is as recognisable as his sound.
Describing his look as “theatrical, deliberate and layered”, Keys views fashion as an essential extension of his artistry. Often referred to by fans as the “Tsonga Michael Jackson”, he believes his image should reflect the same depth, detail and intention found in his music production.
“My fit has to be as layered as my music,” he has previously said — a philosophy that has made him one of South Africa’s most talked-about red-carpet stars, with appearances that consistently set social media abuzz and influence fashion conversations far beyond the music scene.
A member of the Under Armour family, Keys is often seen sporting the brand’s high-performance footwear, including the Velociti Distance range, seamlessly combining athletic innovation with contemporary high fashion.
Speaking after receiving the award, Keys praised fellow nominees and welcomed the growing recognition of style as a serious element of artistry within the music industry.
“I’m proud of every artist that has been nominated because throughout the years I’ve seen them elevate. I’ve seen them become better artists,” he said.
“I’m so glad now that every artist in this space is taking this part of our careers very seriously because not a lot of artists used to pay attention to the detail of what they put on. It goes beyond singing, producing and making music — what you look like should represent how good your music sounds.”
His win highlights the increasingly powerful intersection between music and fashion, where artists are no longer judged solely on their sound, but also on the strength of their visual identity, brand storytelling and cultural influence.
The Best Styled Artist category, sponsored by Africa Fashion International through House of NALA, continues to spotlight musicians who are redefining style, inspiring designers, stylists and creatives, and pushing the boundaries of self-expression in entertainment.
Keys beat a strong field of nominees, including Daliwonga, K.O, Vusi Nova and Zee Nxumalo, to take home the coveted honour — a win that confirms his influence extends well beyond music, into the heart of South African fashion and pop culture.