AKA and K.O Lead 2023 South African Music Awards (SAMAs) Nominations

By wazup on October 4, 2023 Comments Closed / 86 views

The anticipation for the 2023 South African Music Awards (SAMAs) is building as the nominees have been officially unveiled. The gala ceremony is scheduled to take place at the prestigious Durban International Convention Centre on November 17 & 18.

The nominees represent a diverse array of musical genres, truly reflecting the vibrancy of the South African music landscape. Leading the pack with seven nominations is the late rapper AKA, recognized for his posthumous album Mass Country. Other prominent nominees include rapper K.O with six nominations, Sjava with four, and amapiano artist Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa with four and three nominations respectively. The latter two artists also earned two nods for their collaborative work as Scorpion Kings.

Sincerely Anne received three nominations for Newcomer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, and Best Engineered Album for To Whom it May Concern. Ntokozo Mbambo‘s Lavish Worship is the sole female album nominated in the Album of the Year category. She is also in contention for the Female Artist of the Year and Best Contemporary Faith Album awards.

The hip-hop genre is clearly dominating this year’s South African Music Awards (SAMAs), with rappers leading the nominations.

The late rapper AKA, tragically gunned down in February, stands out as the most nominated artist with six nods. His nominations span categories including Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Engineered Album, Best Collaboration (for the single “Lemons [Lemonade]” featuring Nasty C), Best Collaboration (for the single “Company” featuring Kiddominant), and Best Produced Music Video (for “Lemons [Lemonade]” featuring Nasty C).

Following closely behind AKA is fellow rapper and friend K.O, who received five nominations for his album, SR3, and the single “Sete,” featuring Young Stunna and Blxckie. K.O is nominated in the categories of Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Collaboration, Best Produced Music Video, and Remix of the Year for “Sete,” featuring Young Stunna, Oxlade, and Diamond Platnumz.

Sjava’s Isibuko album has earned him recognition in the fiercely contested Male Artist of the Year category, Album of the Year, Best Produced Album, and Best Engineered Album categories.

The self-proclaimed Kings Of Amapiano, Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa, have garnered four and three nominations respectively. Additionally, their collaboration as Scorpion Kings has earned them two nods.

The announcement of the nominees, which took place at the iconic Soweto Theatre in Jabulani on October 3, marks the culmination of extensive preparations conducted behind the scenes. Committees comprised of officials from major and independent music labels have been hard at work finalizing rules, judging criteria, and the selection of esteemed judges.

These judges, drawn from various sectors of the music industry, as well as professionals from media, academic institutions, and cultural organizations, will play a pivotal role in determining the winners.

The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) is the organizing body behind this year’s awards, aptly named #SAMA29. These prestigious awards will celebrate the outstanding albums and singles released between 1st February 2022 and 14th April 2023.

Nhlanhla Sibisi, the CEO of RiSA, expressed his pride in presenting the nominees of SAMA29, highlighting their remarkable contributions over 14 months. He commended their artistry, resilience, and tenacity that have propelled them to the top of the South African music scene.

Below is the full list of nominees:

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 Mbambo

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 & produced by Robin Kohl and Itu)
Kanniedood – Francois van Coke (engineered & produced by Taylor Soundworks)
Blk Elijah & The Children of Meroë – Thandi Ntuli (engineered & produced by Shane, Tshepo, Thandi & Clinton)
Isibuko – Sjava, (engineered & produced by Ruff)

Best African Adult Contemporary Album

Celebrating African Song – Dumza Maswana,
Smile – Choko
I am Gold – S’nazo
Usiba Lwe Gazi – Nathi
Ubuhle Ubuhle – 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 – Desire Marea

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/Instrumental 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 and Madumane – Ba Straata
Morda featuring Oscar Mbo and Murumba Pitch – Mohigan Sun
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, Mdu aka 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 Reggae Album