Cape Town, South Africa | NOW THEN DIGITAL — The South African Music Awards (SAMAs) revealed the nominees for the upcoming 2023 edition, set to take place at the Durban International Convention Centre on 17 and 18 November 2023.
The announcement, held at the Soweto Theatre in Jabulani on 3 October, marks the end of extensive behind-the-scenes preparations. Various committees, representing major and independent labels, finalized essential aspects such as rules, judging criteria, and the selection of judges.
The judging panel comprises professionals from the music industry, alongside individuals from media, academic institutions, and cultural bodies.
#SAMA29, organized by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA), will honor outstanding albums and singles released from 1 February 2022 to 14 April 2023.
Nhlanhla Sibisi, RiSA CEO, expressed pride in presenting the SAMA29 class, highlighting their remarkable contributions in the music scene over a 14-month period. He commended their artistry, resilience, and tenacity that propelled them to the top, making them eligible for the highest music accolade in South Africa. Sibisi extended his best wishes as they approached #SAMA29 in KwaZulu-Natal.
The nominees encompass a wide array of genres, showcasing the dynamic South African music scene. The late rapper AKA leads with seven nominations for his posthumous album, Mass Country.
Top nominees also include rapper K.O with six nominations, Sjava with four, and amapiano artist Kabza De Small, along with DJ Maphorisa, both garnering four and three nominations respectively. The collaboration of Scorpion Kings earned them two nominations each.
Sincerely Anne secured three nominations for Newcomer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, and Best Engineered Album for To Whom it May Concern. Notably, Ntokozo Mbambo’s Lavish Worship is the sole album by a woman competing in the Album of the Year category. She is also nominated for Female Artist of the Year and Best Contemporary Faith Album awards.
For the complete list of nominees, please refer below.
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
