It’s a season of excitement as the 28th edition of the South African Music Awards is announced with several nominees. Who wouldn’t be excited to be nominated for what’s considered one of South Africa’s most prestigious music awards?
The award has been around for several years and has recognised some of the most deserving names in South African music. It hasn’t been without its controversies, though.
For instance, it has been accused multiple times of not rewarding more deserving artists while giving awards to those who should not have them.
Would this year be any different? We can’t tell. But there are several notable names nominated this year.
The SAMAs will be given in several categories, including Best Gqom Album, Best Amapiano Album, Remix of the Year, Best Produced Music Video, Best Afro Pop Album and Best Jazz Album.
Among those nominated for this year’s SAMAs are Mnqobi Yazo, Elandre, 25k, Zakes Bantwini, Kamo Mphela, and Msaki.
#SAMA28: Full List Of Nominees
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Sun-El Musician: African Electronic Dance Music
Zakes Bantwini: Ghetto King
Brian Temba: It’s All You
CymaMusique: Musique
Mobi Dixon: When House Was House
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Msaki: Platinum Heart Open
Khanyisile Mthethwa: African Bird
Kamo Mphela: Nkulunkulu
Reign Afrika: Trailblazer
Shekhinah: Trouble In Paradise
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Sun-El Musician: African Electronic Dance Album
Zakes Bantwini: Ghetto King
Brian Temba: It’s All You
ChymaMusique: Musique
Mobi Dixon: When House Was House
DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR
Reece Madlisa & Zuma: Ama Roto Vol. 2
Watershed: Elephant In The Room
Franco Prinsloo & Vox Chamber Choir: Franco: Kruis Van Liefde
Wouter Kellerman & David Arkenstone: Pangaea
Shwi Nimtekhala: Wangikhulisa uMama
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Thapelo Lekoane: Tapestry
Khanyisile Mthetwa: African Bird
25K: Pheli Makaveli
Ncebakazi Msomi: The 34th Psalm
Botanist Mr Lemington: The Shift
BEST ROCK ALBUM
Steve Louw: Headlight Dreams
Springbok Nude Girls: Partypocalypse
Tim Parr: Revolution
Deity’s Muse: Ennui
Albert Frost: Sacred Sound
BEST POP ALBUM
Jeremy Loops: Souvenirs
Tresor: Motion
Shekhinah: Trouble In Paradise
Bonji: A Journal
Jacky Carpede: Don’t Let Go
BESTE KONTEMPORÊRE MUSIEK ALBUM
Jan Jan Jan: Al Die Oysters
Neil Sandilands: Sangona Sandilands & Jou Pa Se Posse Maanskyn
Jennifer Zamuido:Twintigeentwintig
Die Heuwels Fantasties:Volume
Jodi Jantjies: Woorde
BESTE POP ALBUM
Juan Boucher: Hier Waar Ek Nou Is
Janie Bay: Prisma
Elandre: Rugsak
Posduif: Nkis Vergely
Rite Li: Roekeloos
BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM
Daniel Baron: City of God & The Jungle Below
Lo-Ghost: Night Speak
Alice Phoebe Lou: Glow
Anna Wolf: Romance Was Born
Alice Phoebe Lou: Child’s Play
BEST R&B/SOUL ALBUM
P.Postman: Real Talk
Melleng: The Arrival
Joda Kgosi: Sour Milk
Brian Temba: It’s All You
Mikhale Jones – It Is What It Is
BEST HIP HOP ALBUM
Kid X: Father of Zen
25K: Pheli Makaveli
A-Reece: Today’s Tragedy, Tomorrow’s Memory: Mixtape
Emtee: Logan
Blxckie: B4Now
BEST KWAITO ALBUM
Sukiri Papa : Don’t Lose Focus
Simply Eugene: Let Dogs Lie Low
ShisaBoy: Kwaito Pallet
Reece Madlisa & Zuma: Ama Roto Vol. 2
King Razo: Trip To Jozi
BEST DANCE ALBUM
Miza: Muzika
Zakes Bantwini: Ghetto King
ChymaMusique: Musique
Mobi Dixon: When House Was House
Sun-El Musician: African Electronic Dance Music
BEST TRADITIONAL FAITH MUSIC ALBUM
Puleng
March: Heaven’s Scroll
Paul K: In The Beginning
Vela Nkosi: Jumbo
Takie Ndou: The Gret Revival
Zaza: Shrubs of Chronicle (Live)
BEST CONTEMPORARY FAITH MUSIC ALBUM
Thabelo: My Heart To Him
KingDMusic: Denga
Pulane Maphari: Sacrificial Worship (Live
Lauren Cullen: Find Me Singing
Ncebakazi Msomi: The 34th Psalm
BEST TRADITIONAL ALBUM
Mkhanyalude: Dlozified
Vha Venda Cultural Group: Dziya Fhirana
Dr Mercy Masakona Mazivhandila: Tshihwilili
Tau Sebata: Mathotse
Klipwef: Hantam Kersfees
BEST AFRICAN INDIGENOUS FAITH MUSIC ALBUM
Isaac & The Mighty Messengers: Ba Bosiu
JTG Gospel Choir: Re Kopa Go Wena Ramasedi
NUZ Voices Of Joy: Similapha Nkosi
The Harmony Singers Artists Development: Ore Etele Mohloeki
Zion Iskhalanga Academy: Swi Lava Yeso
BEST MASKANDI
Makhamnandi: Ziyashisa
Shwi Nimtekhala: Wangikgulisa Umama
Thokozani Langa : Idayimani
Udumakahle: Phakati Komhlane
Mzukulu: Ivila Laselawini
BEST JAZZ ALBUM
Herbie Tsoaeli: At This Point In Time Voices In Volumes
Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane: Music From My People
Jimmy Dludlu: History In A Frame
Steve Dyer: Revision
McCoy Mrubata: Quiet Please
BEST CLASSICAL/INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM
Wouter Kellerman & Davi Arkenstone: Pangaea
Khanyisile Mthethwa: African Bird
Charl Du Plessis Trio: It Takes Three
Scheppel: Afrikaans
Franco Prinsloo: Vox Chamber Choir
BEST AFRO POP ALBUM
Mnqobi Yazo: iStiff
Bonga Kwana: New Faces To Old Problema
Cici: Sukulila
Aubrey Qwana: Amalobolo
Nomfundo Moh: Amagama
REST OF AFRICA AWARD
Edgar Muzah: Son Of A Tribe
Malome Vector: Karabo
CKay: Boyfriend
Tems: If Orange Was A Place
Tay Iwar: Love & Isolation
BEST COLLABORATION
Karyendasoul & Zakes Bantwini featuring Nana Atta: Imali
Zakes Bantwini & Kasango: Osama
Njelic & Boohle featuring De Mthuda and Da Muziqal Chef: Wamuhle
Makhadzi featuring Joe Belinger:Zwivhuya
Msaki featuring Da Capo: No Rainbow
BEST PRODUCED MUSIC VIDEO
Edward (Gobi Beast) & Ofentse Mwase: Big Zulu – Inhlupheko
Ted Magerman: K.O – Playback
Dale Fortune: Mafikizolo featuring Simmy – Mamezala
Mabi Ntuli & Shona: Mobi Dixon featuring Mariechan and Jnr SA – When House Was House
Mninzo Sitho & Nhlanhla – AKA: Finessin
BEST PRODUCED ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Bokang & Ndumiso: Malome Vector- Karabo
Neo Muyanga & Asanda: Msaki – Platinum Heart Open
Howard Bradley: Vaughn Prangley – Destination Unknown
Seak, Keanan Leroy & Arthur: The One Who Sings – Thetha Mama
Jacques Du Plesis High: Khan Morbee – A World At Suicide
BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Greg Abrahams, Mike Zietsman & Vincente: Moonga K- Candid
Zakes Bantwini: Zakes Bantwini – Ghetto King
Sibabalwa Andile Fiphaza: 25K – Pheli Makaveli
Daniel Baron & Darryn Muller: Daniel Baron: City of God & The Jungle Bow
Peter Auret: Charl Du Plessis Trio – It Takes Three
REMIX OF THE YEAR
Manyelo Dafro Bassekou Kouyate & Da Capo: Ladon – Manyelo featuring Bassekou Kouyate
Lira & DJ Maphorisa: Feel Good
Sun-El Musician, Azana & Da Capo: Uhuru by Sun-El Musician & Azana
Da Capo: Mama by Josiah De Disciple & Boohle
DJ Cleo: Gcina Impilo Yam by Bucy Radebe
BEST REGGAE ALBUM
Skeleton Blazer: He Crowned I Emperor
Reign Afrika – Trailblazer
Ras Canley: Hard To Believe
Botanist Mr Lamington: The Shift
Red Is Scorch – Ngatanngwe
BEST AMAPIANO ALBUM
Kamo Mphela: Nkulunkulu
Mas Musiq: Authi e’Sharp
Mellow & Sleazy: Kwa Kwa
Young Stunna: Notumato
Focalistic: President Ya Strata
BEST GQOM ALBUM
Bello No Gallo: Khula
Dlala Thukzin: Summer Banger
T-Man: Best of the Best
Slenda Da Dancing DJ: The Journey
Dladla Mshunqisi: Umshunqo Reloaded
