The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) and the SAMA office announced today that Tigi by Sands which was nominated in the Record of the Year category and Lake by the Ocean by Mobi Dixon which was up for Best Remix have been struck off the nominees list.
Sands is a citizen of eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) and as such is excluded from being considered for a SAMA in the Record of the Year category. Mobi Dixon’s Lake by the Ocean is a remix of an international song which is in contravention of the SAMA rules.
#SAMA24 announcement: ‘Tigi’ by Sands and ‘Lake by the Ocean’ by Mobi Dixon have been struck off the SAMA24 nominees list. Sands is a citizen of eSwatini and Mobi Dixon’s ‘Lake by the Ocean’ is a remix of an international song and this defies the rules of the SAMAs. pic.twitter.com/CzSb7DT7jr
— The SA Music Awards (@TheSAMAs) April 28, 2018
Tigi by Sands has been replaced by Love Me In The Dark by Sketchy Bongo featuring Kaien Cruz. Voting line is *120*2003*21#. In the place of Lake by the Ocean by Mobi Dixon is Mwanagu by Jackie Queens and VeneiGrette remixed by Enoo Napa.
RiSA and SAMA are currently doing investigations into how these breaches were not picked up during the vetting process. After the investigation has been completed, appropriate remedial action will be taken.