SAMA: Who should win and who will win

As South Africa celebrates the 21st anniversary of the South African Music Awards (Sama), there's no denying that this is the era of Cassper Nyovest.

As South Africa celebrates the 21st anniversary of the South African Music Awards (Sama), there's no denying that this is the era of Cassper Nyovest.

Published Apr 19, 2015

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Johannesburg - As South Africa celebrates the 21st anniversary of the South African Music Awards (Sama), there’s no denying that this is the era of Cassper Nyovest.

If the Metros and the Channel Os are anything to go by, then there’s no stopping the Motswako rapper. Introduced to the music industry by the Godfather of Motswako himself, HHP, Cassper Nyovest has made his sensei proud over the years.

Also, with HHP nominated as this year’s awards host, the pair will practically own the awards.

But questions need to be raised about whether the Sama results will really reflect the ultimate deserving winners. On the one hand there are the popular musos, because perhaps they make the loudest noise, but on the other, there are those who really put out solid work.

This is what inspired this analysis, where we suggest who should have won against the predictions of who will win in the most contested categories.

Album of the year

Who will win: Cassper Nyovest for Tsholofelo. If you go past the redundant hooks and almost meaningless material (this is not the 2Pac, ProVerb or Tumi, thinking man’s kind of rap) you can’t deny that Cassper Nyovest has the skill of making catchy songs. When you are in a club setting, all you will need is to repeat “Doc Shebeleza” or “Gusheshe” until you pass out. Apart from those two songs, Cassper Nyovest also released Phuma Kim, which follows the above formula.

Who should win: Cassper Nyovest. If KO had given us more hits off Skhanda Republic other than Caracara, then he’d have taken this one. If fellow Teargas member had given up uGogo for this project then the odds would have been favourable. Cassper Nyovest has three big hits off Tsholofelo and KO has one.

Female Artist Of The Year

Who will win: Bucie. The first question we should be asking is, where is Kelly Khumalo in this category? She did have a good run with her latest album, Back To My Roots, and it’s surprising all she has is one Sama nomination. Since she’s not in this category there is a strong chance that house queen Bucie will win in this category. Her hit album Princess of House, which came with the hit Easy, has validated her declaration that she is house music’s royalty.

Who should win: Lulu Dikana. Melancholy aside, the late Dikana’s I Came To Love was a strong effort. It’s just that R&B is suffering worldwide and so radio hasn’t been fair to the project.

Male Artist of the Year

Who will win: Cassper Nyovest.

Nyovest is to the Samas today what Zahara was a few years back. He may not necessarily have the tightest body of work but it’s the most omnipresent and none of the other competitors come close.

Who should win: AKA

The guy may have hints of arrogance but he does put that out with some good music. His latest album offering, Levels, has a wide array of classic hits. From the catchy All Eyes On Me to Congratulate, there’s no stopping the self-proclaimed prince. Perhaps the language factor sets him behind Cassper Nyovest because he doesn’t make much music in vernacular.

Newcomer of the Year

Who will win: Cassper Nyovest.

It’s commendable to make as much noise as he has in only one album. A debut album, for that matter.

Who should win: Beatenberg.

These boys are what Johnny Clegg was in the 1980s. They could have made rock music like their peers do but they went with a more contemporary pop sound that’s been digested pretty well across all South African demographics. Songs like Pluto are testament to this fact.

Best Rap Album

Who will win: AKA

If we go with longevity, then AKA’s Levels will certainly outlive Cassper Nyovest’s Tsholofelo. The sing-song style and the infectious hooks were the result of hits like Jealousy and Run Jozi. Their videos further solidify his claim to this prize.

Who should win: KO

If you followed Teargas then you would appreciate the 360-degree turn that KO has taken since he went solo on the Skhanda Republic album. This brought about a new South African sound, which a number of young rappers are following. For the mere fact that Skhanda Republic is the blueprint of what South African hip hop has become, KO deserves the nod.

The record of the year category should have been part of this discussion but it will only be revealed on Sunday night at the awards.

The 21st South African Music Awards will be held at Sun City in Rustenburg tonight and broadcast live on SABC1 at 8.30pm.

The Sunday Independent

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