Pop band Beatenberg beat out most of their competition to surface as the big winners of this year’s South African Music Awards (Sama).
The trio, who were nominated seven times, took home six awards at the star-studded event.
The shy Capetonians were elated at their wins for their debut album The Hanging Gardens of Beatenberg, which took the much coveted Album of The Year award and Group/Duo of the Year.
Earlier in the day, during the non-broadcast part of the ceremony, their hit song with DJ Clock, Pluto (Remember You), was named Best Selling Ring-back Tone and Best Selling Full-track Download, and also received the SAMPRA Award for Highest Airplay of the Year.
The Newcomer of the Year was won by Cassper Nyovest for his debut album Tsholofelo.
The rapper graced the red carpet in a mint-green suit and shirt with his trademark ponytail.
His controversial contemporary, AKA, took the Male Artist of the Year.
The award each of the above were gunning for, Best Rap Album, was given to rapper K.O for his debut Skhanda Republic.
K.O’s previous lack of awards has been a topic of heated discussion in the hip hop industry.
The International Achievement Award was given to recent Grammy winning flautist, Wouter Kellerman.
The live show, hosted by HHP, included performances by several nominees and winners such as an on-stage collaboration between AKA, Duncan and Mdu Masilela, another cross-genre splice featuring Simphiwe Dana and Kurt Darren, and a rock-meets-rap mash-up featuring Prime Circle and Cassper Nyovest.
THE WINNERS
Album of the Year: Beatenberg - The Hanging Gardens of Beatenberg
Duo or Group of the Year: Beatenberg - The Hanging Gardens of Beatenberg
Female Artist of the Year: Bucie - Princess of House (Easy to Love)
Male Artist of the Year: AKA - Levels
Newcomer of the Year: Cassper Nyovest - Tsholofelo
Best Rock Album: aKing - Morning After
Best Pop Album: Beatenberg The Hanging Gardens of Beatenberg
Beste Pop Album (Afrikaans): Riana Nel Die Regte Tyd
Best Rap Album: K.O. - Skhanda Republic
Best Kwaito Album: Professor - University of Kalawa Jazmee Since 1994
Best Dance Album: Black Motion - Fortune Teller
Best Traditional Faith Music Album: S’fiso Ncwane - Bayede Baba
KIA RECORD OF THE YEAR: Build it Up – Monark
Busa – Euphonik, Bob'Ezy & Mpumi
Caracara – K.O. ft. Kid X
Congratulate – AKA
Easy to Love – Bucie ft. Heavy K
Pluto (Remember You) – DJ Clock ft. Beatenberg
Rafael – Beatenberg
Rainbow – Black Motion ft. Xoli M
Turn You On – Mi Casa
Y Tjukutja – Uhuru ft. Professor, Oskido & DJ Bucks
SPECIAL AWARDS
Lifetime Achievement Awards
Zim Ngqawana
Mdu Masilela
Mandla “Spikiri” Mofokeng
International Achievement Award
Wouter Kellerman
WINNERS: INDUSTRY AWARDS
Best Adult Contemporary Album: Niemand - Back Again
Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album: Dewald Wasserfall - #EkEnJy
Best African Adult Album: Maleh - You Make My Heart Go
Best Alternative Album: Bittereinder - Skerm
Best R&B/Soul/Reggae Album:
Afrotraction - For the Lovers
Best Contemporary Faith Music Album: Loyiso Bala - Power Love Sound
Best Traditional Music Album: Botlhale Boikanyo - Spoken Word & Music
Best Maskandi Album: Thokozani Langa - Igema Lami
Best Jazz Album: McCoy Mrubata - Brasskap Sessions Vol. 2
BEST SELLING MOBILE MUSIC DOWNLOADS
Best Selling Album
Die Regte Tyd – Riana Nel
Best Selling DVD
Vol. 18 One Purpose – Joyous Celebration
Best Selling Ring-Back Tone
Pluto (Remember You) – DJ Clock ft. Beatenberg
Best Selling Full-Track Download
Pluto (Remember You) – DJ Clock ft. Beatenberg
SAMPRA AWARD
Highest Airplay of the Year (2014)
Pluto (Remember You) – DJ Clock ft. Beatenberg