This year marked the 25th edition of the South African Music Awards (Samas), the biggest event on South Africa’s music scene. In celebration of the milestone 25 years, the theme for this year was 25toLife – a nostalgic trip into the past which provides a better understanding of the present, in a manner that creates excitement about the future.
READ: SAMA 25 nominee list causes a stir
Over the weekend, the awards honoured the best in the industry as Black Coffee walked away with Male Artist of the Year and Best Collaboration, while Sjava won Album of the Year and Best Afro Pop Album. Sho Madjozi made her mark and took over the Samas as she took home the Newcomer of the Year and Female Artist of the Year awards. Black Motion bagged the Best Dance Album and Duo/Group of the Year awards.
READ: HHP scores SAMA25 Lifetime Achievement Award
HHP, was honoured with a lifetime achievement award posthumously, while TKzee and Mango Groove also took home the award.
See the full list of all the winners below:
Album of the Year
Umqhele – Sjava
Male Artist of the Year
Black Coffee – Music is King
Female Artist of the Year
Sho Madjozi – Limpopo Champions League
Duo/Group of the Year
Black Motion – Moya Wa Taola
Newcomer of the Year
Sho Madjozi – Limpopo Champions League
Best Jazz Album
Neo Native – Bokani Dyer Trio
Best Pop Album
Nostalgia – Tresor
Beste Pop Album
SOUS – Snotkop
Best Live Audio Visual Recording
Fill up Orlando Stadium – Cassper Nyovest
Best Maskandi Album
Yekani Umona – Sgwebo Sentambo
Rest of Africa Artist
Diamond Platnumz – A Boy From Tandale
Best Afro Pop Album
Umqhele – Sjava
Best Contemporary Music Album
Pure Coenie – Coenie de Villiers
Best Reggae Album
Mavara is King – Black Dillinger
Best Hip Hop Album
Strings and Bling – Nasty C
Best Contemporary Faith Music Album
Seasons Volume 1 – We Will Worship
Best Dance Album
Moya Wa Taola – Black Motion
Best Traditional Faith Music Album
Umusa – Lebo Sekgobela
Best African Adult Contemporary Album
Iphupha Labantu – Nathi
Best R&B/Soul Album
L.O.V.E – Zonke
Best Kwaito/Gqom/Amapiano
King Don Father – Spikiri
Best Rock Album
Perfection Kills – Dan Patlansky
Best Traditional Album
Hupenyu Unenge Viri – Candy
Best Alternative Album
You Will Not Die – Nakhane
Best Adult Contemporary Album
Impossible Machines – Ard Matthews
Best African Indigenous Faith Album
Sesiphunyukile – Ithimba Le-Africa
Best Engineered Album of the Year
Manyan-nyan – Vusi Nova – Robin Walsh
Remix of the Year
‘Sebentin’ – Zakwe ft Refiloe Maele Phoolo, Jabulani Tsambo, Lesego Moiloa, Senzo Mfundo Vilakazi and Ncazelo Mtolo
Collaboration of the Year
‘Drive’ – Black Coffee ft David Guetta and Delilah Montagu
Music Video of the Year
‘Gold’ – Jeremy Loops
Best Produced Album
String and Bling – Nasty C
Best Selling DVD
All for You – Joyous Celebration 22
Best Selling Artist
Joyous Celebration – Umoya Kulendawo
SAMRO/CAPASSO Highest Airplay Composer’s Award
Collide – Lady Zamar
Record of the Year
Holly Rey
Lifetime Achievement Awards
TKZee
Mango Groove
HHP