Organisers of the South African Music Awards (#SAMA28) are mulling over the idea of hosting the annual spectacle in Joburg – the hub of South Africa’s entertainment industry – following a two-year hiatus given to Covid-19 restrictions.
Should the decision to move the annual music showpiece to Joburg be finalised within a month, it would mark the second time in the event’s 28-year history that it’s held here. The awards were first hosted in Joburg at Montecasino, Fourways in 2011, having moved from its traditional venue at the Sun City Superbowl, in the North-West Province.
Besides its superlative offering of top-notch venues to host the SAMAs, Joburg is home to plenty of the performers in the awards limelight this year, many of whom cut their musical teeth in the city and have bagged nominations in some of the over 30 hotly contested categories, including Album of the Year, Best Duo or Group, Female Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, White Star Newcomer of the Year, Best Hip Hop Album, Best Dance Album, the modified Best Amapiano Album, the Record of the Year, Music Video of the Year, and the SAMPRA Artist Of The Year award.
KwaZulu Natal-born but Joburg-based Zakes Bantwini dominates the nomination list with seven nods for the 28th edition of the music extravaganza, which is scheduled for a SABC 1 live broadcast on Sunday, 31 July 2022.
After already earning a nod in the Record of the Year (ROTY) category announced last week for fan favourite Osama with Kasango, Bantwini has bagged an additional six, including Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Best Dance Album, and Best Engineered Album for Ghetto King, his latest offering.
His two songs, Imali with Karyendasoul featuring Nana Atta and Osama with Kasango, are also in the running for the Best Collaboration award.
With a Music Video of the Year (MVOTY) and four ROTY nominations under his belt, DJ Maphorisa’s Best Remix of the Year nomination for Feel Good brings his SAMA28 tally to six, making him the second most nominated artist.
Mobi Dixon and Msaki are not far behind with four nominations each. Mobi’s When House Was House contends for Best Dance Album, Album of the Year, and Male Artist of the Year awards. The album’s title track, featuring Mariechan and JNR SA, has booked a spot in the Best Produced Music Video category.
East London-born but Joburg-bred Msaki is up for Female Artist of the Year, Best Adult Contemporary Album, and Best Produced Album of the Year for her Platinum Heart Open offering. She will also be vying for the Best Collaboration gong for her effort with Da Capo titled “No Rainbow.”
White Star sponsors the Newcomer of the Year category, whose nominees include Thapelo Lekoane for Tapestry, Khanyisile Mthetwa for African Bird, 25K for Pheli Makaveli, Ncebakazi Msomi for The 34th Psalm, and Botanist Mr Lamington for The Shift.
Brian Temba, Sun-El Musician, and Chymamusique earned three nods apiece and will battle it out for Album of the Year and Male Artist of the Year awards. Multitalented flute player, Khanyisile Mthetwa, rounds out the trio with three nods for the White Star Newcomer of the Year, Best Classical/Instrumental Album, as well as the Female Artist of the Year award. Other nominees for Female Artist of the Year include Msaki, Kamo Mphela, Reign Afrika, and Shekhinah.
A SAMA is the highest musical accolade an artist, band or producer can get in South Africa, making it the most coveted award for musical excellence. The awards cross all genres and include production, engineering, and video. They are organised by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA). This year’s event is sponsored by the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, SAMPRA, CAPASSO, White Star, SAMRO, RAV, DRIP, and TikTok.
“SABC 1 prides itself on being the platform that unearths and recognises talent. With each year of the partnership, the South African Music Awards and SABC 1, as a collective, shine a light on the music industry and the artists in their respective genres. A huge congratulations to all the nominees that have made it through this year,” says Thulisile Nhlapo, the Acting Channel Head.
Organisers of the event say this year’s awards have attracted a record number of entries, with some 1 395 submissions received by the close of the call for entries three months ago. The names of more than 100 nominees were announced at a nomination party in Randburg earlier this week. From these, the finalists will be chosen.
The categories with record entries include Best Collaboration (180), Best Hip Hop Album (179), Best Produced Music Video (149), Best Dance Album (73) and Best Amapiano Album (68).
“This exponential growth augurs well for the future of the music industry and the role the SAMAs continue to play,” says Recording Industry South Africa (RiSA) Chief Executive, Nhlanhla Sibisi.
Sibisi notes that the standard of this year’s submissions was impressive and presented a tough task for the judging panel.
“Each artist has worked hard to create exceptional bodies of work that have soothed and united us during particularly tough times. I wish all the nominees’ good luck and look forward to celebrating them at our gala event,” he says.
For more information on the South African Music Awards, visit their Facebook page, and the SAMA website (http://www.samusicawards.co.za) or follow them on Twitter: @TheSAMAs, Instagram: @thesamas_, YouTube: samusicawards, and TikTok: @thesamas_: Hashtag: #SAMA28.
09/06/2022