For the past four years, Amstel has entrenched itself in the local music scene, with the aim of celebrating the time and enjoyment that goes into making great South African music. On Saturday, 28 February, they will be taking this even further. As the country’s number one urban radio station, Metro FM celebrates the best local music that South Africa has to offer and the Metro FM Awards honours those artists who take the time to perfect their craft. So who better to sponsor these awards than South Africa’s premium, slow brewed beer? A beer that really understands the value of taking your time.

The Metro FM Awards is a great platform for Amstel to further enhance the brand’s dedication to South African music. “From sponsoring the SAMAs to our involvement in some of South Africa’s most loved music festivals, like the Macufe Festival and Joy of Jazz, Amstel has become an integral part of some of the biggest celebrations of local music and the Metro FM Awards is just one more way for us to show our support of the artists who really take the time to perfect their craft,” says Muchekwa Tsanwani, Amstel’s marketing manager. “So we are looking forward of an event that rewards the very thing our brand stands for.”

The theme for the 2015 awards is ‘Celebrating Greatness’ and this idea certainly comes to life when one just looks at the list of nominees. Cassper Nyovest took top honours with a total of seven nominations for his debut album, Tsholofelo, with AKA not far behind him with six nominations. Hip-hop artists dominated the categories including Best Male Album, Best Music Video and Best Collaboration.

Song of the Year, which happens to be the most sought-after award, sees the likes of AKA, Cassper Nyovest and DJ Dimplez going head to head. However, no matter the genre, all of the nominees have one thing in common; the amount of time and dedication they have spent on their talent to get where they are today. One thing is for sure, Amstel can’t wait to celebrate their greatness.

The awards will be taking place on Saturday, 28 February at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Conference Centre (ICC) in Durban and fans will be able to watch it live on SABC1 at 20:00. However, the celebrations will continue long after the awards, as Amstel will also be a part of the various after parties, helping the winners and their fans celebrate in true Amstel style. Amstel also gave fans a chance to experience the best that South African music has to offer for themselves, through an on-air competition where they stood a chance to win tickets to the awards. This competition ran exclusively on Metro FM during February and the prize included flights, accommodation and VIP tickets to the ceremony, as well as the exclusive VIP after party.

By partnering with the Metro FM Awards, Amstel is really cementing itself as a true supporter of local music and the musicians who make it what it is.

For all the latest news on Amstel’s support of the best in South African music and the Metro FM Awards, visit their Facebook page), follow them on Twitter and find them on Instagram. For a full list of nominees, visit www.metrofm.co.za.