If the South African Music Awards (SAMA) nominations announcement evening on Thursday was anything to go by, this year’s event will be something to look forward to.
The night was full of nostalgic moments with performances of kwaito, hip hop and pop jams coming together to paint a yesteryear picture which shaped street cultures, societies and the entertainment industry at large.
And to celebrate the days of old, the night was dubbed #Recognition - especially for the legends who paved the way for the new breed of artists to thrive.
What’s more, the event was staged where the awards first took place in 1994, at the Alberton Civic Theatre, east of Johannesburg.
From those small beginnings, they took us through the growth of the awards up to when they made it to Sun City, in the North West province - the Samas’ new home.
Over and above the music, celebrities who filled the room included Super Mega AKA, Sjava, gospel singers Thinah Zungu, Pastor Sipho Ngwenya, Moonchild Sanelly and many more.
Artists such as Ishmael, Joe Nina, Steve Kekana, Mshoza and Mzambiya, and hip hop group Skwatta Kamp, were among the performers. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, the organisers raised the bar by bringing the iconic Dosto Noge of Selimanthunzi fame and TV and radio personality Hulisani Ravele as hosts.
The Sama25 nominees list is led by internationally acclaimed DJ Black Coffee with five nominations under his belt, closely followed by Sjava’s Umqhele which earned him four nominations including one for Album of the Year.
DJ Black Coffee leads the nominees list with 5 nominations Picture: Shayne Robinson/African News Agency (ANA)
Also standing at four nods is the young and energetic performer Sho Madjozi for Female Artist of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, while soul singer Zonke also bagged four nods in Album of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Best R&B/Soul Album and Best Produced Album for L.O.V.E.
RiSA chief executive, Nhlanhla Sibisi, congratulated the nominees saying: “We are proud of this nomination list which we believe is a fair reflection of the artists who made a good impact in the industry and had music lovers entertained.
“The stage is set for a showdown as we start the countdown to Sun City for the final awards show. We salute all the nominees and send out best wishes to all.”
The Sama25 award show will be staged on May 31 and June 1.
Here is the full list of the SAMA25 nominees:
Male Artist of the Year
Artist
Name of Album
Anatii
IYEZA
Black Coffee
Music is King
Nakhane
You will not die
Sjava
Umqhele
Thokozani Langa
Iyabuza Induna
Female Artist of the Year
Artist
Name of Album
Busiswa
Summer Life
Kelly Khumalo
Unleashed
Lebo Sekgobela
Umusa
Sho Madjozi
Limpopo Champions League
Zonke
L.O.V.E
Duo/Group of the Year
Artist
Name of Album
Tshwane Gospel Choir
The Next Revival
Spirit of Praise
Spirit of Praise Vol.7
Ofeleba
Hi & Low
Encore
Segarona
Black Motion
Moya Wa Taola
Album of the Year
Artist
Name of Album
Black Coffee
Music is King
Black Motion
Moya Wa Taola
Sjava
Umqhele
Vusi Nova
Manyan-nyan
Zonke
L.O.V.E
Newcomer of the Year
Artist
Name of Album
Mlindo The Vocalist
Emakhaya
Paxton
This is me
Sho Madjozi
Limpopo Champions League
Simmy
Tugela Fairy
Sun-El Musician
Africa To The World
Best Jazz Album
Artist
Name of Album
Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane
Closer to Home
Thandi Ntuli
Exiled
Bokani Dyer Trio
Neo Native
Tune Recreation Committee
Afrika Grooves with the Tune Recreation Committee
Mandisi Dyantyis
Somandla
Best Pop Album
Artist
Name of Album
Jarrad Ricketts
Break the Rules
Paxton
This is me
Majozi
Majozi
Tresor
Nostalgia
Tholwana
2.0.1.5
Beste Pop Album
Artist
Name of Album
4 Werke
4 by 4
The Rockets
Sonskyn
Brendan Peyper
Dis Nie Sonde Nie
Snotkop
SOUS
Jan Bloukaas
Lewe
Best Live Audio Visual Recording
Artist
Name of Live Recording
Neyi Zimu
Another Level of Worship
Krone Various Artists
Krone 5
Jabu Hlongwane
Crosspower Experience 3
Cassper Nyovest
Fill up Orlando Stadium
Spirit of Praise Vol 7
Spirit of Praise 7
Best Maskandi Album
Artist
Name of Album
Thokozani Langa
Iyabuza Induna
Ofeleba
Hi & Low
Sgwebo Sentambo
Yekani Umona
Mbuzeni
Ungishiyelani
Ichwane Lebhaca
Imali Yesoso
Rest of Africa Artist
Artist
Name of Album
Diamond Platnumz
A Boy From Tandale
Kommanda Obbs
Kommanda Obbs
Mr Eazi
Lagos to London
Nixon
Who We Are
Oliver Mtukudzi
Hany'ga
Best Afro Pop Album
Artist
Name of Album
Kelly Khumalo
Unleashed
Mlindo The Vocalist
Emakhaya
Simmy
Tugela Fairy
Sjava
Umqhele
Vusi Nova
Manyan-Nyan
Beste Kontemporere Musiek Album
Artist
Name of Album
Almero
Maandag
Coenie de Villiers
Pure Coenie
Douvoordag
Die Avontuur
Jan Blohm
Die Liefde Album
Refentse
Liefdegenerasie
Best Reggae Album
Artist
Name of Album
Black Dillinger
Mavara is King
The Meditators
Explosion
Ras Vuyo
Diversion
Botanist
Game Changer
Bongo Riot
Next Levels
Best Hip Hop Album
Artist
Name of Album
AKA
Touch my Blood
Emtee
DIY2
Jabba X
#FGTBB
Kid X
Thank Da King
Nasty C
Strings and Bling
Best Contemporary Faith Music Album
Artist
Name of Album
Tshwane Gospel Choir
The Next Revival
Khaya Mthethwa
All About Jesus
Neyi Zimu
Another Level of Worship
Ntokozo Mbambo
Moments in Time
We Will Worship
Seasons Volume 1
Best Dance Album
Artist
Name of Album
DJ Fistaz
Mixwell Summer
Sun-El Musician
Africa To The World
Mobi Dixon
10 Steps Forward
Black Coffee
Music is King
Black Motion
Moya Wa Taola
Best Traditional Faith Music Album
Artist
Name of Album
Lebo Sekgobela
Umusa
Paul K
Time of God Manifest
Sipho Ngwenya
Intimate Worship Season 3
Spirit of Praise 7
Spirit of Praise Vol.7
Kholeka
Your Word - Alibuyi Lilambatha Izwi Lakho
Best African Adult Contemporary Album
Artist
Name of Album
Anatii
IYEZA
Encore
Segarona
Nathi
Iphupha Labantu
Ntokozo Mbambo & Nqubeko Mbatha
The Anniversary Project
Tabia
The journey
Best R&B/Soul Album
Artist
Name of Album
Kabomo
All Things Red
Mlu
A Day For The Universe
Lady X
Love.Life.Complicated
Zonke
L.O.V.E
Nicksoul
Therapy
Best Kwaito/Gqom/Amapiano
Artist
Name of Album
Busiswa
Summer Life
Distruction Boyz
It Was All A Dream
DJ Maphorisa
Gqom Wave Vol.2
Sho Madjozi
Limpopo Champions League
Spikiri
King Don Father
Best Rock Album
Artist
Name of Album
CrashCarBurn
Headlights
Dan Patlansky
Perfection Kills
Hellcats
The Hex and the Healer
The Black Cat Bones
Here is a Knife
The Parlotones
China
Best Traditional Album
Artist
Name of Album
Vhavhenda Cultural Group
Tshianda Nguvhoni
University of Limpopo Choristers & Kwazulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra
Africa Tivule
Tswelelang Cultural Dancers
Motho Wa Me
Mzimkhulu Happy Boys
Nqoba izitha
Candy
Hupenyu Unenge Viri
Best Alternative Album
Artist
Name of Album
Breindy and Matt
Ruth Ave
Gabi Motuba-Tefiti
Goddess of Creation
Jeremy Loops
Critical As Water
Nakhane
You will Not Die
Sannie Fox
My Soul Got Stranger
Best Adult Contemporary Album
Artist
Name of Album
Watershed
Harbour
Roan Ash
Whiskey to my Soul
Georgetown
The Dog Show
Ard Matthews
Impossible Machines
8 Misses Croon
…Like never before
Best African Indigenous Faith Album
Artist
Name of Album
Trust in Christ Ministries
Elami Igama
The General Isitimela
Amen Ezulwini
Ithimba Le-Africa
Sesiphunyukile
In Zion of Christ
Izinyembezi
Christ Worshippers Mass Choir
Nkosi Ngiyakuthanda
Best Engineer
Artist
Name of Album
Name of Engineer
CH2
Starstruck
Corneille Hutten; Michael 'Nomad' Ripoll; Steven A.Williams
Nasty C
Strings and Bling
Michael Themba Manitshana
Sjava
Umqhele
Mfanafuthi Ruff Nkosi
Hellcats
The Hex and the Healer
Paul Douglas Norwood; Craig Michael Hawkins; Richard Staub
Vusi Nova
Manyan-nyan
Robin Walsh
Remix of the Year
Artist
Name of Song
Name of Remixer
DJ Capital
Skebe Dep Dep
Kwesta, Kid X, Reason, Youngsta CPT & Stogie T
Prince Kaybee
Club Controller
Kabelo Motsamai
SPHEctacula and DJ Naves
Bhampa
DJ Regal Amapiano Remix
Zakes Bantwini
Bang Bang Bang
Kossi Emmanuel
Zakwe
Sebentin
Refiloe Maele Phoolo, Jabulani Tsambo; Lesego Moiloa; Senzo Mfundo Vilakazi; Ncazelo Mtolo
Collaboration of the year
Artist
Song
Collaborating Artist
Sun-El Musician
Sonini
Simphiwe Nhlangulela
Sun-El Musician
Ntaba Ezikude
Simphiwe Nhlangulela
Dj Sumbody
Monate Mpolaye
Casper Nyovest, Thebe and Vettis
Black Coffee
Drive
David Guetta; Delilah Montagu
Black Coffee
Wish you were here
Asanda Lusaseni-Mvana
Music Video of the Year
Artist
Name of Music Video
Name of Director
Bongeziwe Mabandla ft. Spoek Mathambo
Bawo Wam
Rick Joaquim
Jeremy Loops
Gold
Robert Smith
Mafikizolo ft. Jah Prayzah
Mazuva Akanaka
Mohau Mamafha
Sho Madjozi
Huku
Garth Von Glehn
The Parlotones
Beautiful Life
Michael Rix
Best Produced Album
Artist
Name of Album
Name of Producer
AKA
Touch my Blood
Kiernan Forbes; Mpilo Shabangu; Ayoola Agboola; Tumelo Mathebula; Ntokozo Mazibuko; Benn Gilbert; Tshegofatso Lehutso; Anathi Mnyango; Jeremy Makwe
Kholeka
Your Word - Alibuyi Lilambatha Izwi Lakho
Kholeka Aquilla Dubula
Mlindo The Vocalist
Emakhaya
Themba Sekowe
Nasty C
String and Bling
Nsikayesizwe Ngcobo; Sipho Dlamini; Collin Gayle
Zonke
L.O.V.E
Zonke Dikana