Who will be the last man standing as the 22 SAMAs invades Durban?

Stehr, was speaking exclusively to this reporter at the (22 South African Music Awards nominees launch) at the historical Soweto Theatre, this morning.

Probed what were his expectations, he lamented:  “I was expecting more than five nominations from my stable but it did not happen. To tell the truth, I’m not entirely happy but what can one do?” he asked during interview.

“If you’re always on top of your game at class and suddenly the teacher gives you lower marks, how will you react, that’s how I feel at the moment,” says Stehr, one of celebrated talent scouts in the music industry.

This an obvious reference to four nominations garnered by his top selling artist Nathi, who was the most sought after at the announcement.

The event took a different turn as guests, media and artists boarded the train from the sprawling Parks Station to Soweto Theatre-despite the rainy and chilly weather- it was a great experience as the norm of hosting the nominees in the evening was diverted to the morning.

Budget constraints me thinks not, because the dangling R465m carrot has been offered to host the awards in Durban, by the Municipality, and according to an impeccable source the ‘after-party’ was cancelled at eleventh hour for no apparent reasons.

Yes, for some it was for the first time in Soweto and kasie ‘cuisine’ such as fat-cakes, peanuts and what we call “skoppas” in location lingua came in handy.

Best Newcomer of the Year nominee Tresor, says he looks forward to the awards since this is his first.

“For me a nomination means a lot considering I’ve just gone Solo. This gesture shows anything is possible as long as you put your mind to it,” says Tresor, who admitted being nominated in this tough category means he’s doing something positive.

He has been nominated alongside award winners such as Ricky Rick, Emtee, Fifi Cooper and Nathi.

Final list of nominees:

Best Male Artist of the Year

1. Nathi – Buyelekhaya
2. Black Coffee – Piece Of Me
3. Riky Rick – Family Values
4. Emtee – Avery
5. Francois Van Coke – Francoise Van Coke

Best Female Artist of the Year

1. Zonke – Work of heart
2. Zahara – Country Girl
3. Fifi Cooper – 20FIFI
4. Judith Sephuma – One Word
5. Karen Zoid – Drown Out the Noise

Best Dance Album

1. Black Coffee – Piece Of Me
2. Mi Casa – Home Sweet Home
3. Mobi Dixon – Tribal Soul Special edition
4. DJ Merlon – Original Copy
5. Junior Taurus and Lady Zamar – Cotton candy

Best Rap album

1. Emtee – Avery

   

2. Riky Rick – Family Values
3. Da Les – North God
4. Kid X – 3 Quarter Pace
5. Zakwe – Impande

Best Kwaito Album

1. Big Nuz – For the Fans
2. DBN Nyts – Believe
3. Kabelo Mabalane – Immortal Vol.3
4. DJ Bongz – Game Changer
5. Mzansi  – North Coast Vibe

Best Newcomer of the Year

1. Riky Rick – Family Values
2. Emtee – Avery
3. Tresor – VII
4. Fifi Cooper – 20FIFI
5. Nathi – Buyelekhaya

Best Album of the Year

1. Francois Van Coke – Francoise Van Coke
2. Emtee – Avery
3. Nathi – Buyelekhaya
4. Tresor – VII
5. Black Coffee – Piece Of Me

Best Remix of the Year

1. DJ Sliqe – Do Like I Do Remix
2. AKA – Baddest Remix
3. Mobi Dixon – Never Let Me Go
4. Mobi Dixon – My Sugar
5. The Fraternity – Bheka Mina Ngedwa Amplified

Best Music Video of the Year

1. Jon Savage & Graig Hunter Parker – Army Of One
2. Kyle Lewis – Fuseg
3. Daniel Levi – Caviar Dreams
4. Shamiel Soni – Ayadelela
5. Ryan Kguger – Negatives Deluxe

Best Collaboration

1.DBN Nyts – Shumaya

2. Shekhinah x kyle Deutsch – Back to the Beach
3. AKA ft Redsan, Burna Boy and Stoneboy – All Eyes of Me

4.Major League DJz ft Cassper Nyovest, OKMALIMKOOLKAT, Riky Rick and Carpo – Slyza Tsotsi

5. Khuli Chana ft Patoranking – No Lie

 

Best R&B/Soul/Reggae Album

1. Nathi – Buyelekhaya
2. Zonke – Work of heart

3.Olwethu – Imbethu

4. Zahara – Country Girl
5. The Muffinz

Best Duo/Group

1. Desmond and The Tutus
2. Witness The Funk
3. Marcus Wyatt & The Zar Jazz Orchestra
4. Juniour Taurus and Lady Zamar
5. Big Nuz

Best African Adult Album

1. Dizu Plaatjie & Friends – Ubuntu: The Common String
2. Kabomo – Sekusile
3. Thiwe – Soul Therapy
4. L’wei Netshivhale – Mudzimu Washu
5. Jessica Mbangeni – Busisiwe: Tribute to the African Heroine

“We’re ready to once again host these prestigious awards that are equal to the Grammy’s,” says Head of Tourism at Durban City Phillip Sithole, who during his keynote address conceded that it made sense to host the nominees launch in Soweto because 80% of these artists originate from locations.

“By hosting the SAMAs means we shall be able to conduct workshops on commercialisation of music for our youngsters and also involve surrounding communities in Durban to be part of the celebrations as part of build up to the main ceremony.”

“Since the awards will be held on Youth Month, we anticipate 30 % of nominees-who are still youth’s- originate from Durban and 60% of them will go on to win on the evening,” he says confidently.

Asked if the R465m has been allocated to the awards, he denied flatly but confirmed that the City only made R400m available for the awards.

“The deal is for this year only with an option to renew.”

Despite losing the vehicle sponsor KIA last year, the beleaguered Prasa has come on board as transport partner.

The awards ceremony takes place on June 4 at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Center, Durban, for one night only as opposed to over two days.

Tickets are available from Computicket as from tomorrow 22 April.