One of my favourite events on the music calendar in South Africa is the South African Music Awards. Working behind the scenes in the music industry all year long, and doing the best we can to support South African music on vinyl, means that we really have a keen interest in a good SAMA ceremony and 2024 did not disappoint!
This year’s event was particularly good and well-organised, and saw a clever re-imagining that attendees have been asking for. Best represented by its hashtag #lessnoisemoremusic, this year’s SAMAs featured a lot more performances across all genres, with a lot less on-stage chatter. It felt smooth with excellent medleys and collaborations across all genres. It was actually really fun and turned what can sometimes feel like a bit of a snoozefest into an actual musical production.
Kicking off with a great cinematic on the evolution of South African music in the last 30 years, I couldn’t help but feel inspired with a few goosebumps down my neck. Considering all of our challenges and where we’ve come from, the music industry has seen some incredible developments. From early Kwaito days and evolving into the behemoth that is Amapiano, South African music really does have a lot to be proud about and the international attention and cultural obsession with South African artists is at an all-time high.
This year I really felt Maskandi bring a smile to my face. I was sitting next to uGatsheni when his name was called out as the winner for best album in the category. I just love this form of South African / Zulu folk music, and all of us were out of our chairs hands in the air and celebrating. This music is sooo South African, and the rhythm and melodies are just awesome.
Another great moment for South African music is the progression of our Hip Hop artists. South African Hip Hop is seeing growing interest, but man that “Dust” record from Priddy Ugly is something to behold. I wish we could get a vinyl release for this.
As for Amapiano, well, looking at the nominee list, you’re probably looking at what must be close to a billion streams for nominated albums. A well deserved award for Kabza De Small and “Mthunzi” but I’m personally down for Kelvin Momo’s ˜Kurhula” being the album of the year.
And as for Tyla, she sadly couldn’t make it to the awards, but just keep going and make us proud! We’ll hold up the fort for you down here.
Here is a complete list of the winners:
- Best Adult Contemporary Album: Stimela – Drakensberg Boys Choir
- Ikwekwezi FM Best African Adult Contemporary Album: Sane – Brenda Mtambo
- Best Afro-pop Album: Imizwa – Lwah Ndlunkulu
- Best Alternative Album: I’m With the Singer – I’m With the Singer
- Motsweding FM Best Amapiano Album: Isimo – Kabza De Small and Mthunzi
- Best Classical/Instrumental Album: End of the Beginning – Fanie Dick
- Best Collaboration: iPlan – Dlala Thukzin, Sykes and Zaba
- Best Dance Album: Permanent Music 3 – Dlala Thukzin
- Best Engineered Album: Reimagined – The Soil
- Best Gqom Album: We Don’t Play the Same Gqom – QueDj
- Best Hip Hop Album: Dus – Priddy Ugly
- Best Jazz Album: Enhlizweni: Song From My Heartland – Steve Dyer
- Best Kwaito Album: Most Wanted – Sykes
- Best Maskandi Album: Uyihlo noNyoko – uGatsheni
- Best Pop Album: Tyla – Tyla
- Best Produced Album: No Other Love – David Watkyns
- Best Produced Music Video: Dalie by Kamo Mphela – Kudzi
- Best R&B/Soul Album: Testament – Lordkez
- Best Reggae Album: Give Praises – Skeleton Blazer
- Best Rock Album: Dans Deur Die Donker – Fokofpolisiekar
- Best Traditional Faith Music Album: Mo Roriseng – Omega Khunou
- Best Traditional Music Album: Hamba Naye – Soul Brothers
- Beste Kontempor̻re Musiek Album: Estetika РElandre
- Beste Pop: Almal Gly – Die Piesangskille
- Remix of the Year: Weekend Special (Jnr SA remix) – Jnr SA
- Rest of Africa: Son of a Tribe (Royalty Edition) – Edgar Muzah (Zimbabwe)
- Best African Indigenous Faith Album: Soothe My Soul: Songs From Our South African Church – Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Best Contemporary Faith Album: Unusual – Xolly Mncwango
- Lesedi FM Male Artist of the Year: UGatsheni – Uyihlo noNyoko
- Ukhozi FM Female Artist of the Year: Tyla – Tyla
- Radio 2000 Duo/Group of the Year: Isimo – Kabza De Small and Mthunzi
- Santam Newcomer of the Year: Tyla – Tyla
- Sampra Album of the Year: Isimo – Kabza De Small and Mthunzi
