The SA Music AwardsVerified account tweeted this photo saying, "More Coming to you live from @suncityresort Sun Arena is your #SAMA23 host @Tumi_Morake!With 4 awards down, #SAMA23 Takeover weekend has BEGUN!!" Picture: @TheSAMAs on Twitter
The 23rd annual SA Music Awards (SAMAs) are currently taking place at the Sun City Superbowl and, kick-starting the auspicious music occasion on Friday evening was the first instalment, which gave credit to the industry gurus who work behind the scenes to bring out all the hits.
The first night of SAMA 23 belonged to Khaya Mthethwa.
The former Idols SA winner picked up two trophies for his album The Dawn in the Best Contemporary Faith Music Album and Best Live Audio Visual Recording categories.
It was a good night for gospel as the late singer S’fiso Ncwane won the Best Selling Digital Artist for his album Ngipholise Nkosi; and gospel ensemble Joyous Celebration’s Joyous 20 DVD, earned them the Best Selling DVD gong.
The stage is set for a showdown between two of the most nominated artists as Kwesta and Amanda Black, who took home one award apiece.
Kwesta triumphed in the Best Collaboration Award category with his monster hit Ngud’ while Amanda collected the Best R&B/Soul/Reggae Album for her release Amazulu.
They go into the main awards show tomorrow night with four nominations each.
In a SAMA first, Nigerian reggae/dancehall singer Patoranking won the inaugural Best African Artist.
Other notable winners from tonight are Hugh Masekela for Best Adult Contemporary Album for No Borders; the young dynamic duo Soul Kulture for Best African Adult Album for Ngeliny’ilanga; and Nduduzo Makhathini with Umgidi Trio and One Voice Vocal Ensemble for Best Jazz Album for Inner Dimensions.
In the technical awards, Sjava’s Isina Muva won the Best Produced Album of the Year; Arno Carstens’ Aandblom took Best Engineered Album of the Year; while Best Music Video of the Year went to Miss Pru for Ameni
The Best Selling Album of the Year is My Hart Bly In ‘n Taal by Refentse.
Here is the complete list of winners:
Best Adult Contemporary
Hugh Masekela – No Borders
Best African Adult
Soul Kulture – Ngeliny’ilanga
Best Alternative Music Album
Native Young – Kings
Best R&B/Soul/Reggae Album
Amanda Black – Amazulu
Best Contemporary Faith Music Album
Khaya Mthethwa – The Dawn
Best Pop Album
ADAM – Hoogtevrees
Best Jazz Album
Nduduzo Makhathini with Umgidi Trio and One Voice Vocal Ensemble – Inner Dimensions
Best Classical and/Instrumental Album
Charl du Plessis Trio – Baroqueswing Vol. II
Best Traditional Music Album
Dr Thomas Chauke Na Shinyori Sisters – Shimatsatsa No 34: Xiganga
Best African Artist
Patoranking – Patoranking
Best Live Audio Visual Recording
Khaya Mthethwa – The Dawn
Best Collaboration
Kwesta – Ngud’
Best Music Video of the Year
Miss Pru – Ameni
Best Produced Album of the Year
Sjava – Isina Muva
Best Engineered Album of the Year
Arno Carstens – Aandblom 13
Best Remix of the Year
Vic – Wena Wedwa (MusicCraftMAN Mix)
Best Selling DVD of the Year
Joyous Celebration 20
Best Selling Digital Artist
Sfiso Ncwane – Ngipholise Nkosi
Best Selling Album of the Year
My Hart Bly In n Taal – Refentse
Watch some of the performances which took to the stage tonight:
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