The Soweto Theatre in Jabulani, Soweto buzzed with excitement as the industry gathered to toast finalists in this year’s edition of the SAMA nominees announcement. Albums and singles released between 1 February 2022 and 14 April 2023 were considered for SAMA29.
The announcement is a culmination of months of preparations behind the scenes as committees comprised of major and independent labels finalised SAMA29 rules and judging criteria as well as the selection of judges drawn from the music industry and ancillary professionals in media, academic institutions and cultural bodies. Simply put, the SAMA puts the artist first and is driven by the industry, for the industry.
The late AKA leads the pack with a tally of no less than seven nods for his album Mass Country in the categories of Male Artist of the Year; Album of the Year; Best Engineered Album; Best Hip-Hop Album; Best Collaboration (for the single Lemons (Lemonade) featuring Nasty C); Best Collaboration (for the single Company featuring Kiddominant); and Best Produced Music Video (for Lemons (Lemonade) featuring Nasty C.
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Hot on his heels is fellow rapper K.O who garnered no less than six nominations thanks to his album SR3 and the single Sete featuring Young Stunna and Blxckie. He is nodded in the categories of Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Hip Hop Album, Best Collaboration, Best Produced Music Video and Remix of the Year for Sete featuring Young Stunna, Oxlade and Diamond Platnumz.
Sjava’s Isibuko album earned him a spot in the fiercely contested Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Produced Album and Best Engineered Album.
The maestros of Amapiano, Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa earned at least four and three nominations respectively, they further walked away with two nods for their collaboration as Scorpion Kings.
Sincerely Anne bagged an impressive three nods for Newcomer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year and Best Engineered Album for To Whom it May Concern.
Ntokozo Mbambo’s Lavish Worship is the only album by a woman competing in the Album of the Year category, she is also up for Female Artist of the Year award and Best Contemporary Faith Album.
The Maskandi Album category is a battle royale between Khuzani for Umqhele Nethawula, Menzi with Ngeke Ungiphathe, Thokozani Langa’s Is’khiye Se-Coldroom, Abafana Bakamgqumeni for Iphakade Lami and Inkos’yamagcokama with Home Alone.
In the Best Jazz Album category, In the Spirit of Ntu by Nduduzo Makhathini goes up against Linda Sikhakhane’s Isambulu, Thandi Ntuli’s Blk Elija & The Children of Meroe, Mthunzi Mvubu’s The 1st Gospel and Shane Cooper and Mabuta’s Finish the Sun.
The nominees cut across a variety of genres and reflect the vibrant nature of South African music as well as the competitive spirit that fuels creativity and flair that feeds the pulse of the industry.
The nominees reveal event hosted by television personality Nomalanga Shozi, also included the announcement of KwaZulu-Natal province as the home of the SAMA for the next three years. It was attended by dignitaries such as Siboniso Duma, the MEC of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA); Nhlanhla Sibisi, CEO of the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA); high ranking government officials; musicians; entertainment personalities and influencers.
Dichaba Phalatse, Marketing Manager of SABC Video Entertainment commented: “South African music plays a major role and as SABC1 we always want to make sure that local music is celebrated. The channel’s partnership with the South African Music Awards shows our commitment in supporting the legacy of local artists as they continue to produce music of all genres for South Africans to enjoy. Congratulations to all the SAMA29 nominees.”
RiSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi congratulated the nominees: “We are proud to present the class of SAMA29 who over a 14-month period put out some of the best tunes, collaborations and music videos in the country. We commend their artistry, resilience and tenacity that have led to them rising to the top and positioning themselves to be in line for the highest music accolade South Africa can bestow on an artist. We wish them well as we embark on the road to SAMA29 in KwaZulu-Natal.”
SAMA29 will be staged at the Durban ICC on the weekend of 17 and 18 November 2023 and broadcast live on SABC1.
Full list of nominees
Female Artist of the Year
Kelly Khumalo – From A God To A King
Ntokozo Mbambo – Lavish Worship
Sincerely Anne – To Whom it May Concern
Hle – Take Heart
Thandi Ntuli – Blk Elijah & The Children of Meroë
Male Artist of the Year
Kabza De Small – KOA II Part 1
AKA – Mass Country
Sjava – Isibuko
K.O – SR3
Lloyiso – Seasons
Duo/Group of the Year
DJ Maphorisa and Visca – Ba Straata
Venom and Shishiliza – Love Is Pain
Mafikizolo – Idwala
DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small – Scorpion Kings Live Sun Arena
Msaki and Tubatsi – Synthetic Hearts
Newcomer of the Year
Myztro – 2.0 Nkwari,
Blakka Yut – Unleashed
Sincerely Anne – To Whom it May Concern,
Lloyiso – Seasons
Venom and Shishiliza – Love Is Pain,
Album of the Year
Mass Country – AKA
SR3 – K.O
Isibuko – Sjava
KOA II Part 1 – Kabza De Small
Lavish Worship – Ntokozo Mbambo
Best Engineered Album
To Whom it May Concern – Sincerely Anne (engineered and produced by Tjaart van der Walt and Daniel Baron)
Mass Country – AKA (engineered & produced by Robin Kohl and Itu)
Kanniedood – Francois van Coke (engineered & produced by Taylor Soundworks)
Blk Elijah & The Children of Meroë – Thandi Ntuli (engineered & produced by Shane, Tshepo, Thandi & Clinton)
Isibuko – Sjava, (engineered & produced by Ruff)
Best African Adult Contemporary Album
Celebrating African Song – Dumza Maswana,
Smile – Choko
I am Gold – S’nazo
Usiba Lwe Gazi – Nathi
Ubuhle Ubuhle – Lethiwe Sithole
Best Alternative Album
Glitch Vol 2: The Future Is Now – uBeyond
Synthetic Hearts – Msaki and Tubatsi
Blue Lawns – The Great Yawn
Leaving All The Time – Bye Beneco
On the Romance of Being – Desire Marea
Best Amapiano Album
Amukelani – Kelvin Momo
Ba Straata – DJ Maphorisa and Visca
2.0 Nkwari – Myztro
KOA II Part 1 – Kabza De Small
Scorpion Kings Live Sun Arena – DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small
Best Classical/Instrumental Album
Live in Europe 22 – CH2
Fire Beast – Vox Chamber Choir and Franco Prinsloo
One Night On Earth – Derek Gripper
Maike – Juliet String Quartet
Sanctuary – Carol Thorns
Best Collaboration
K.O, Young Stunna featuring Blxckie – Sete
AKA featuring Nasty C – Lemons (Lemonade)
DJ Maphorisa and Visca featuring 2woshortrsa, Stompiiey, ShaunMusiQ, Ftears and Madumane – Ba Straata
Morda featuring Oscar Mbo and Murumba Pitch – Mohigan Sun
AKA featuring Kiddominant – Company
Best Pop Album
Things We Don’t Talk About – Jimmy Nevis
Heard You Got Love – Jeremy Loops
Game Over – Tyler Page
Seasons – Lloyiso
Petrichor – Amy Lilley
Best Produced Album
KOA II Part 1 – Kabza De Small (producer: Leslie George Theko, Artwork Sound, Da Muziqal Chef, Mdu aka TRP, Stakev, DJ Maphorisa and Felo Le Tee)
Things We Don’t Talk About – Jimmy Nevis (producer: Darren Petersen)
Amukelani – Kelvin Momo (producer: Kelvin Momo)
Lindokuhle – Lindokuhle (producer: Mthunzi, Howard, Herc, Tshepo Morone, DJ Maphorisa, Masiano)
Isibuko – Sjava (producer: Delayde, Ruff, Jah Cool)
Best Produced Music Video
Lemons (Lemonade) – AKA featuring Nasty C (producer: Tebogo Mabaso; director: Nate Thomas)
Sete – K.O featuring Young Stunna & Blxckie (producer: K.O, Tsholofelo Moremedi, Ted Magerman; director: Ted Magerman)
Be Free – Desire Marea (producer: Will Nicholson; Director: Imraan Christian
Been Thinking – Tyla (producer: Jimi Adesanya; director: Meiji Alabi)
Shine – Elaine (producer: Shayna Gianelli; director: Jesse Ray Diamond)
Best Reggae Album
Unleashed – Blakka Yut
Youth’s Cry – Botanist Mr Lamington
Red Carpet Live – Maximum Stylez
Flight More Riddim – Blackness Blue Productions
Healing – Lavoro Duro
Beste Kontemporere Musiek Album
Sing, Hoop, Weerklink – Prop
Skree Net Sag – Alter Ego
Ep In F – Herman Kleinhans
Jagvat – Jan Rhaap
Toe Roep Ek Jou Naam – Jan Blohm & Ryno Velvet
Remix of the Year
Ndinovalo – Morda
Sete – K.O featuring Young Stunna, Oxlade & Diamond Platnumz
Hayii Citizen Deep Remix – Citizen Deep X Mzux Maen ft Yasmin Levy
Au dede – Karyendasoul
Tobesta Remake – Myztro featuring Focalistic, Daliwonga, Shaunmusiq and Ftears
Rest of Africa Award
Sad Romance – Ckay
Timeless – Davido
Worry – Lyre
Dynastie – Ferre Gola
Sounds of Peace – Moreira Chonguiça
Best Gqom Album
Meeting with the King – DJ Lag
Fikelephi – Sizwe Mdlalose
Love & Light – Cairo CPT
Nande 2.0 – DJ Sandiso
Ithuba – Newlandz Finest
Best African Indigenous Faith Album
Emmanuel – JTG Gospel Choir
Mantswe A Supileng – Spiritual Gospel Choir
Ikhoni Mfuyo – In Zion of Christ
Ba Ya Mo Nyatsa – Wacha Mkhukhu Wachumlilo
Ntate Le Rato La Hao – Ingqayizivele Gospel Choir
Best Hip Hop Album
Religion – MashBeatz
Mass Country – AKA
SR3 – K.O
Life is Gangsta – Thato Saul
Diaspora – Maglera Doe Boy
Best Jazz Album
In the Spirit of Ntu – Nduduzo Makhathini
Isambulu – Linda Sikhakhane
Blk Elija & The Children of Meroe – Thandi Ntuli
The 1st Gospel – Mthunzi Mvubu
Finish the Sun – Shane Cooper and Mabuta
Best Kwaito Album
Speak n Vrostaan – Kwesta and Kabza De Small
R Mashesha – Big Nuz
I Am Who I Am – Nkiyase
Jukebox – Shisaboy
Barabbas – Taylor K
Best Maskandi Album
Umqhele Nethawula – Khuzani
Ngeke Ungiphathe – Menzi
Is’khiye Se-Coldroom – Thokozani Langa
Iphakade Lami – Abafana Bakamgqumeni
Home Alone – Inkos’yamagcokama
Best R&B Album
But Could The Moments in Between – Ndumiso Manana
Germander II – Lesego Kyle Mnyandu
4LUV (Deluxe) – Sihle Sithole
Bad Weather – Nanette Siphesihle
Passion Fruit – Kabomo
Best Traditional Album
African Queen 2.0 – Makhadzi
Ke Bone Molelo O Timile – MmaAusi
A Reyeng Bahurutshe – Oarabele France Makgore
Obe Happy – Molebatsi Tsotetsi
Inkabi Nation – Big Zulu
Best Adult Contemporary Album
Dark Secrets – Louise Carver
Bait For Steps Forward – Nobuhle Ashanti
Memories – Drakensberg Boys Choir
Ndikhethiwe – Vusi Nova
Love – Viwo Kulati
Best Dance Album
Asante – Morda
Next Level – Russell Zuma
The Gospel According to Artwork Sounds – Grain
WL4OM – Bonga Ntozini
A New Dawn – Siyanda Makanya
Best Afro-pop Album
Isibuko – Sjava
From A God to A King – Kelly Khumalo
Idwala – Mafikizolo
Love is Pain – Venom
Ekhayakomama – Philadlozi Mfekayi
Best Rock Album
Kanniedood – Francois Badenhorst
Fine Thanks, and You? – Russell Coward
Hellcats – End of Days – Warwick Rautenbach/Alessandro Benigno
Fuzigish – Malcolm King
Testify – Basson Laubscher
Best Traditional Faith Album
The Overflow – Dumi Mkokstad
Hoja Ke Sena Wena – IPCC
Ndiyabulela – Tsholofelo Ntuli
The Grace Encounter Vol.1 – Phumulani Radebe
Sedi Laka – Brown Mosiapoa
Best Contemporary Faith Album
Lavish Worship – Ntokozo Mbambo
Mhalamhala – Brenden Praise
Take Heart – Hle
Restored: The Jesus Collective – The Jesus Collective
Hope – Vincent Jiyane
Beste Pop
Jona – Bernice van der Westhuizen
Insomnia – Brendan Peyper
Loufi Flippen Loufi – Ifan-Luc Carlo Handel
Hittegolf – Brandon Eloff
Die Onbekende – Renier van der Westhuizen
Connect with the SAMAs:
Instagram: @thesamas_
Twitter: @TheSAMAs
TikTok: @thesamas_
YouTube: samusicawards
Facebook: South African Music Awards
Website: www.samusicawards.co.za
Hashtags: #SAMA29
