Gospel gets the glory on first night of SAMA 23

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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