Munya Vomo
It iS the 21st year of the South African Music Awards (Samas) and we are about to see a new brand of music being celebrated in the country.
There is no hiding from the fact that we are in an era of hip hop. South Africa has embraced local hip hop today they way it did kwaito in the 1990s. With the Samas drawing closer, and the likes of Cassper Nyovest, K.O and AKA being the obvious contenders for the most awards on the night, there is no fighting what the fans prefer this year.
K.O and Nyovest – who apparently also don’t get along (long sigh) – have garnered five nominations each. What’s sad is that K.O, despite releasing the great album Skhanda Republic, which has the hit tracks Caracara and Gangsta Luv, hasn’t really received many accolades for his efforts. On the other hand, the pony-tailed Nyovest has dominated the awards ceremonies (Channel O and Metro FM) and is likely to rule at the Samas as well.
So prepare to hear the “God is good” acceptance speech all over again.
AKA, surprisingly, only earned three nominations for his critically acclaimed Levels album. He and Nyovest have been at each other’s throats for a while now and this project provides yet another arena where they can battle it out for supremacy.
Basically, that is going to be the main show – the battle royale of the night, if you will – and everything else is likely to play second fiddle. Which is a pity because groups like Beatenberg have received five nods for their house album. Because of all the hip hop drama, few will be paying as much attention to their success.
Afro-soul deity, Kelly Khumalo, who released a great album that should have carried her above all the media controversy that seems to stalk her, only received one nomination, Best African Album. This leaves you wondering what exactly she would have had to do to secure a Best Female nomination. Why isn’t her hit Asine in the Best Song category, despite it being so popular and among the most downloaded songs?
On a high note, the much-anticipated Ringo Madlingozi album got the Afro-soul singer four nods so if hip hop is not your thing, at least this man is there to dilute things a little.
Flautist, Wouter Kellerman, who won a Grammy recently, has secured two nominations in the Best Classical/ Instrumental Album and Best Producer categories. Considering his success on the international stage, you’d think he was a shoo-in for those two awards.
On a more sentimental note, the late Lulu Dikana was nominated three times for her last album, I Came To Love, in the Best R&B/Soul/ Reggae Album, Best Female and Best Producer sections.
The Samas will be held at Sun City in Rustenburg on Sunday and will be aired live on SABC1 at 8.30pm. Visit samusicawards.co.za for more details.