The South African Music Awards (SAMAs ) are back for its 29th edition this year. The ceremony will be held in KwaZulu-Natal on 18 and 19 November, with AKA scoring the most nominations.
Speaking at the SAMA nominees announcement party on Tuesday at the Soweto Theatre, KZN’s MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Siboniso Duma , said the provincial government was happy to host the awards.
“We have no doubt the entire tourism industry and other sectors of our economy will be stimulated. We are looking forward to hosting thousands of music lovers. Tourists will visit our province ahead of the SAMAs and during the event itself.
“Rest assured you will be warm enough, you’ll be welcome and enjoy what’s on the ground,” Duma said.
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SAMAs 2023 nominees The late multi-award-winning rapper Kiernan ‘AKA ‘ Forbes is leading the pack with six nods. K.O is the second most nominated artist, with five nods.
Female Artist of the Year Kelly Khumalo – From A God To A King Ntokozo Mbambo – Lavish Worship Sincerely Anne – To Whom it May Concern Hle – Take Heart Thandi Ntuli – Blk Elijah & The Children of Meroë Male Artist of the Year Kabza De Small – KOA II Part 1 AKA – Mass Country Sjava – Isibuko K.O – SR3 Lloyiso – Seasons Duo/Group of the Year DJ Maphorisa and Visca – Ba Straata Venom and Shishiliza – Love Is Pain Mafikizolo – Idwala DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small – Scorpion Kings Live Sun Arena Msaki and Tubatsi – Synthetic Hearts Newcomer of the Year Myztro – 2.0 Nkwari Blakka Yut – Unleashed Sincerely Anne – To Whom it May Concern Lloyiso – Seasons Venom and Shishiliza – Love Is Pain Album of the Year Mass Country – AKA SR3 – K.O Isibuko – Sjava KOA II Part 1 – Kabza De Small Lavish Worship – Ntokozo Mbatha Best Engineered Album To Whom it May Concern – Sincerely Anne (engineered and produced by Tjaart van der Walt and Daniel Baron) Mass Country – AKA (engineered and produced by Robin Kohl and Itu) Kanniedood – Francois van Coke (engineered and produced by Taylor Soundworks) Blk Elijah & The Children of Meroë – Thandi Ntuli (engineered and produced by Shane, Tshepo, Thandi and Clinton) Isibuko – Sjava, (engineered and produced by Ruff) Best African Adult Contemporary Album Celebrating African Song – Dumza Maswana, Smile – Choko I am Gold – S’nazo Usiba Lwe Gazi – Nathi UbuhleUbuhle – Lethiwe Sithole Best Alternative Album Glitch Vol 2: The Future Is Now – uBeyond Synthetic Hearts – Msaki and Tubatsi Blue Lawns – The Great Yawn Leaving All The Time – Bye Beneco On the Romance of Being – Buyani Mcunu Best Amapiano Album Amukelani – Kelvin Momo Ba Straata – DJ Maphorisa and Visca 2.0 Nkwari – Myztro KOA II Part 1 – Kabza De Small Scorpion Kings Live Sun Arena – DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small Best Classical Album Live in Europe 22 – CH2 Fire Beast – Vox Chamber Choir and Franco Prinsloo One Night On Earth – Derek Gripper Maike – Juliet String Quartet Sanctuary – Carol Thorns Best Collaboration K.O, Young Stunna featuring Blxckie – Sete AKA featuring Nasty C – Lemons (Lemonade) DJ Maphorisa and Visca featuring 2woshortrsa, Stompiiey, ShaunMusiQ & Ftears & Madumane – Ba Straata Mohigan Sun – Morda featuring Oscar Mbo and Murumba Pitch AKA featuring Kiddominant – Company Best Pop Album Things We Don’t Talk About – Jimmy Nevis Heard You Got Love – Jeremy Loops Game Over – Tyler Page Seasons – Lloyiso Petrichor – Amy Lilley Best Produced Album KOA II Part 1 – Kabza De Small (producer: Leslie George Theko, Artwork Sound, Da Muziqal Chef, Mduaka TRP, Stakev, DJ Maphorisa and Felo Le Tee) Things We Don’t Talk About – Jimmy Nevis (producer: Darren Petersen) Amukelani – Kelvin Momo (producer: Kelvin Momo) Lindokuhle – Lindokuhle (producer: Mthunzi, Howard, Herc, Tshepo Morone, DJ Maphorisa, Masiano) Isibuko – Sjava (producer: Delayde, Ruff, Jah Cool) Best Produced Music Video Lemons (Lemonade) – AKA featuring Nasty C (producer: Tebogo Mabaso; director: Nate Thomas) Sete – K.O featuring Young Stunna & Blxckie (producer: K.O, Tsholofelo Moremedi, Ted Magerman; director: Ted Magerman) Be Free – Desire Marea (producer: Will Nicholson; Director: Imraan Christian Been Thinking – Tyla (producer: Jimi Adesanya; director: Meiji Alabi) Shine – Elaine (producer: Shayna Gianelli; director: Jesse Ray Diamond) Best R&B Album 4LUV (Deluxe) – Blxckie But Could the Moments in Between - Manana Germander II – FLVME Bad Weather – Nanette Passion Fruit – KABOMO Best Reggae Album Unleashed – Blakka Yut Youth’s Cry – Botanist Mr Lamington Red Carpet Live – Maximum Stylez Flight More Riddim – Blackness Blue Productions Healing – Lavoro Duro Beste Kontemporere Musiek Album Sing, Hoop, Weerklink – Prop Skree Net Sag – Alter Ego Ep In F – Herman Kleinhans Jagvat – Jan Rhaap Toe Roep Ek Jou Naam – Jan Blohm & Ryno Velvet Katryn – Stefan Jansen Remix of the year Ndinovalo – Morda Sete – K.O featuring Young Stunna, Oxlade & Diamond Platnumz Hayii Citizen Deep Remix – Citizen Deep X Mzux Maenft Yasmin Levy Au dede – Karyendasoul Tobesta Remake – Myztro featuring Focalistic, Daliwonga, Shaunmusiq and Ftears Rest of Africa award Sad Romance – Ckay Timeless – Davido I’m Alive – Sha Sha Worry – Lyre Dynastie – Ferre Gola Sounds of Peace – Moreira Chonguiça Best Gqom Meeting with the King – DJ Lag Fikelephi – Sizwe Mdlalose Love & Light – Cairo CPT Nande 2.0 – DJ Sandiso Ithuba – Newlandz Finest Best African Indigenous faith Emmanuel – JTG Gospel Choir Mantswe A Supileng – Spiritual Gospel Choir Ikhoni Mfuyo – In Zion of Christ Ba Ya Mo Nyatsa – Wacha Mkhukhu Wachumlilo Ntate Le Rato La Hao – Ingqayizivele Gospel Choir NOW READ: Anele Mdoda dishes on her favourite ‘Celebrity Game Night’ guests
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