“This year’s selection showcases the incredible diversity, talent, and creativity in South African music, which is aligned to the ethos of the SAMAs…”
Tyla, the international South African singing sensation, leads the pack with five nominations after the South African Music Awards unveiled the list of SAMA30 nominees, yesterday at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.
For Tyla, her self-titled album, she was nodded in SAMPRA Album of the year, Ukhozi FM Female Artist of the year, SANTAM Newcomer of the Year and Best Pop Album categories as well as Best Collaboration for Water with Travis Scott.
The nominees event set the tone towards the milestone 30 years celebration of the most prestigious and coveted music award ceremony in South Africa, scheduled to take place on 2 November 2024 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. With the theme Less Noise More Music, SAMA30 emphasises a renewed focus on artistry and creativity. The nominations berths are testament to the competitiveness and outstanding craftsmanship of the industry.
Hot on the heels of Tyla’s five nominations are Kabza De Small and Mthunzi, and Mbuso Khoza with three nods respectively. Kabza, the diminutive Amapiano maestro is in the running for Album of the Year and Motsweding FM Best Amapiano Album for Isimo and Radio 2000 Duo/Group of the Year with Mthunzi for Isimo. Khoza walked away with Best Produced Album, Best Traditional Music Album and Best Engineered Album for Shaka ilembe Soundtrack Album Volume 2 (Original Music from the Shaka ilembe TV series)
It’s a clash of the titans in the Lesedi FM Male Artist of the Year category, Amapiano headliners Kelvin Momo for Kurhula, Daliwonga for Dali Dali and De Mthuda for Baba Yaga, go up against Priddy Ugly for Dust and new-age Maskandi artist Ugatsheni for Uyihlo noNyoko.
In the Ukhozi FM Female Artist of the Year category, Tyla for Tyla faces stiff competition from Brenda Mtambo for Sane, Lwah Ndlunkulu for Imizwa, Lordkez for Testament and Xolly Mncwango for Unusual.
The SANTAM Newcomer of the Year category attracted a substantial number of women as Tyla for Tyla, Lwa Ndlunkulu for Imizwa and Sykes for Most Wanted, take the battle to Die Piasangkille and Johan Balt for Almal Gly and Joliza for Bhacasoul Experience EP.
The SAMPRA Album of the Year category represents various genres with Amapiano stars Kabza De Small and Mthunzi for Isimo and Daliwonga for Dali Dali up against, pop princess Tyla for Tyla, faith music powerhouse Xolly Mncwango for Unusual and iconic iscathamiya group Ladysmith Black Mambazo for Soothr My Soul: Songs from our South African Church.
Other notable nods are Matthew Mole who earned two nominations in the Best Pop Album and Best Engineered Album for Wake up, it’s Morning, and Morda and Thakzin in Best Collaboration and Best Dance Album for Asante II.
The nominations event hosted by the radio and television personality Luthando “Lootlove” Shosha was a livish occasion attended by top musicians, celebrities, music industry heavyweights and dignitaries who gathered to honour the incredible talent shaping South Africa’s vibrant music scene.
The morning began with yellow- carpet arrivals and fashion moments. Guests nibbled on a selected gourmet brunch and performers included Zola, Khuli Chana, Bassie, Easy Freak, Abafana Baka Mnqumeni, Dj Thabi Thabs and Kryptonite dance group who set the stage alight with nostalgic tunes from the past 30 years of the SAMA and democracy in South Africa. Social media buskee Kutlwano Yika warmed hearts with his rendition of local tunes.
Nhlanhal Sibisi, CEO of the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA), expressed his enthusiasm for this year’s shortlist: “we are thrilled to congratulate the nominees for SAMA30. This year’s selection showcases the incredible diversity, talent, and creativity in South African music, which is aligned to the ethos of the SAMAs. We are excited to celebrate these outstanding achievements at the upcoming awards ceremony.
“I am truly humbled by the exceptional talent and dedication behind the music that has earned nominations this year. To each nominee, i want to extend my heartfelt congratulations. Your music has touched lives, sparked movements, and brought joy to millions. We honour not only your artistry but the passion and perseverance that drive you to push the boundaries of South African music.”
Full list of nominees:
Best Adult Contemporary Album
The Misty Cliffs – The Misty Cliffs
Stimela – Drakensberg Boys Choir
The Drive – Dr Duda
Shipwrecked – Jack Atlantic
Isipho – Smama
Ikwekwezi FM Best African Adult Contemporary Album
Iscathamiya For A New Millennium – Thee Legacy
Amaxhesha – Bongeziwe Mabandla
Reimagined – The Soil
Sane – Brenda Mtambo
Umoya – Embracing the Human Spirit – Vusi Mahlasela
Best Afro Pop Album
Umkhonto – Zuko SA
Imizwa – lwah Ndlunkulu
Ukhamba – Inkabi Zezwe
Zulu Romance – Blaq Diamond
Ugcobo – Nomfundo Moh
Best Alternative Album
Layers – Carla Franco
Enter the Grootness (Deluxe) – Van Pletzen
Hopeless and Romantic – CHXRL
I’m With the Singer – I’m With the Singer
Don’t Forget to Howl – West Coast Wolves
Motsweding FM Best Amapiano Album
Boroko Keng – Mellow and Sleazy
Baba Yaga – De Mthuda
Dali Dali – Daliwonga
Isimo – Kabza De Small and Mthunzi
Kurhula – Kevin Momo
Best Classical/instrumental Album
Sci-fi, Beats and Life – UBeyond
End of the beginning – Fanie Dick
Lost Time: Bach Cello Suite No. 1 – Derek Gripper
Lofi Chill – Tony Drake
Relentless – Karen Devroop
Best Collaboration
Burning Bush – Morda and Thakzin
iPlan – Dlala Thukzin, Sykes and Zaba
Sgudi Snyc – De Muziqal Chef and Eemoh ft Sipho Magudulela
Water – Tyla and Travis Scott
Imithandazo – Kabza De Small and Mthunzi ft Young Stunna, Dj Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine and Umthakathi Kush
Best Dance Album
Asante II – Morda and Thakzin
Permanent Music 3 – Dlala Thukzin
The Star is Reborn – Zakes Bantwini
Clickbait – DBN Gogo
Reputation – Sculptured Music
Best Engineered Album
Shaka ilembe Soundtrack Album Volume 2 (Original Music from the Shaka ilembe TV Series) – Mbuso Khoza
Wake Up, It’s Morning – Mathew Mole
Umoya – Embracing the Human Spirit – Vusi Mahlasela
Sane – Brenda Mtambo
Reimagined – The Soil
Best Gqom Album
Dark or Durban – Funky Q1a
Gqom to Another Level Vol. 1 – Bella No Gallo
We Don’t Play the Same Gqom 2 – QueDj
TronicsLand Series 2 – Mr Thela
The Young Prince of Gqom – General C’mamane
Best Hip Hop Album
Note to Self – FLVME
I Love It Here – Nasty C
People Forget To Be People (Deluxe) – Wordz
Heartbreak Hotel – The Big Hash
Dust – Priddy Ugly
Best Jazz Album
Enhlizweni: Song Stories from My Heartland – Steve Dyer
Siparia To Soweto – Hugh Masekela and Siparia Deltones
Rainbow Revisited – Thandi Ntulu and Carlos Nino
The Past Is Unpredictable, Only the Future Is Certain – Vuma Levin In The Wake – Kujenga
Best Kwaito Album
Ghetto Skomplaz – Abobhova
Celebrating 25 Years In The Game – Sbu Malawyer
Genesis – Taylor K
Most Wanted – Sykes
Inzalo YeKwaito 2nd Half – Zinaro
Best Maskandi Album
National Anthem – Inkos’yamagcokama
Uber Driver – Sminofu
Amakhothangqoko – Mthandeni SK
Uyihlo noNyoko – Ugatsheni
Isivulwe Yonke – Ntencane
Best Pop Album
You Need Therapy – Mila Smith
Magic – Will Linley
23:23 – Paxton
Wake Up, It’s Morning – Matthew Mole
Tyla – Tyla
Best Produced Album
I Love It Here – Nasty C
No Other Love – David Watkyns
Shaka ilembe Soundtrack Album Volume 2 (Original music from the Shaka Ilembe TV series) – Mbuso Khoza
Wake up, it’s Morning – Matthew Mole
Ifa Lomkhono – Mbuso Khoza
Best Produced Music Video
Dali by Kamo Mphela – Kudzi
Amakhehla by Sjava – Tido
4am by Loatinover Pounds – BSV
018 by Casper Nyovest – Jabu
Call Me by Filah Lah Lah – Reabetswe Fila Ranamane
Umhlobo Wenene FM Best R&B/Soul Album
A Tale of a Fallen Queen – Ayanda Jiya
Love Letters – KashCPT
Hold Me When It’s Cold: The Cuddle Pack – Una Rams
Testament – Lordkez
The Other Side (Deluxe EP) – Mia
Best Reggae Album
Dans Deur Die Donker – Francois van Coke
Deurbraak – Millennium
Hard Mode – Wonderboom
Born and Raised – Kenny Hughes
All-Killer-Filler – Evert Snyman
Best Traditional Faith Music Album
Sibonga Umusa (Live) – Sneziey
Indumiso YaseStezi – Thinah Zungu
Worship House 20 – Worship House
uJehova – University of Pretoria
Mororiseng – Omega Khunou
Best Traditional Music Album
Bhacasoul Experience EP – Joliza
Mbofholowo – Makhadzi
I’m Happy – Shabalala Rhythm
Shaka Ilembe Soundtrack Album Volume 2 (Original music from the Shaka Ilembe TV series) – Shala ilembe
Hamba Naye – Soul Brothers
Beste Kontemporere Album
Rondry, Fliek En Die Buitelewe – Valiant Swart
Allegaarkie vir ‘n Askeet – Neil Sandilands
Die Vallei – Joshua Na Die Reen
Estetika – Elandre
Alles – Jacob Swann
Beste Pop Album
Almal Gly – Die Piesangskille
Heelal – Ryno Velvet
Braaf – Jan Jan Jan
Omdat Jy Mag – Brendan Peyper
My Mense – Ilan van Staden
Remix of the Year
Sisahleleleni (Ntokzin remix) – Bongeziwe Mabandla and Ntokzin
Weekend Special (Jnr SA remix) – Jnr SA
Yes God Remix MORDA, Thakzin, Mhaw Keys – Oscar Mbo
Dubula – Hurrycane ft Eemoh, Master KG and DJ Latinny
Goodbye remixed by Soa Mattrix – Azana and Soa Mattrix
Rest of Africa Award
Asake: Work of Art – Asake
Don’t Get Used To This – Wurld
Lion of Sudah – Bensoul
Son of Tribe (Royalty Edition) – Edgar Muzah
Alusa Why Are You Topples? – Bien
Best African indigenous Faith Music Album
Alikho Elinye Ithemba – JTG Gospel Choir
Ke Nako ya Modimo – Lejwe la Motheo
Masango – Di Briun Gospel Projects
Vuya Matimba – Discuss Nkuna
Soothe My Soul: Songs from our South African Church – Ladysmith Blank Mambazo
Best Contemporary Faith Music Album
The Gift Vol.1 – Brendan Praise
Izililo – We Will Worship
Unusual – Xolly Mncwango
We Bow Down – 3C Live
Come To Jesus (Live in Bryanston, 2022) – The Fellowship With Pastor Namba
Lesedi FM Male Artist of the Year
Priddy Ugly – Dust
Kevin Momo – Kurhula
Ugatsheni – Uyihlo noNyoko
Daliwonga – Dali Dali
De Mthuda – Baba Yaga
Ukhozi FM Female Artist of the Year
Tyla – Tyla
Brenda Mtambo – Sane
Lwah Ndlunkulu – Imizwa
Lordkez – Testament
Xolly Mncwango – Unusual
Radio 2000 Duo/Group of the Year
Mellow & Sleazy – Boroko Keng
FokofPolisieKar – Dans Deur Die Donker
Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Soothe My Soul: Songs from our South African Church
Die Piesangskille and Johan Balt – Almal Gly
Kabza De Small and Mthunzi – Isimo
SANTAM Newcomers of the Year
Isimo – Kabza De Small and Mthunzi
Tyla – Tyla
Die Piasangskille and Johan Balt – Almal Gly
Jozina – Bhacasoul Experience EP
SAMPRA Album of the Year
Isimo – Kabza De Small and Mthunzi
Tyla – Tyla
Dali Dali – Daliwonga
Soothe My Soul: Songs from our South African Church – Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Unusual – Xolly Mncwango
The SAMA30 gala event is scheduled to take place 2 November 2024 at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand
#sapositivenews
Photo credit: Gotham/WireImage
