AN estimated R25 million has been budget for the 29th South African Music Awards.
SA’s favourite play-ground Durban is the host venue for the next three-years, following a partnership with KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea) and the eThekweni Municipality.
The anticipated direct spend of R25 816 236 with the injection to the City’s gross domestic product is estimated to be R63 million.
Although some have questioned the ballooning budget due to economic pressure, the spin-offs could be quantifiable.
It’s a known fact that SAMAs have been hard hit financially with no title sponsor since the withdrawal of MTN years’ ago, but it seems they’ve been given the lifeline thanks to the backing by the City and the department.
MEC for KZN Economic Development- Siboniso Duma, at the launch held in Soweto recently said: “We want to increase the number of artists in the creative industry in the database of service providers of the government. There should be no middleman between the government and our artists. We are also saying, all spheres of government must use their procurement system to sustain the creative industry.”
“We flatter ourselves to believe that this is because KZN and the eThekwini Municipality in particular, have in the past proved to be worthy and competent hosts of a number of national, continental and international events of diverse interests,” Duma said.
He said he was overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response and interest (in the province) displayed by the creative industry at the Soweto Theatre. He also expressed optimism about the future growth of the tourism industry and other sectors of the provincial economy.
“We are looking forward to hosting thousands of music lovers and tourists who will visit our province ahead of the SAMA Awards and during the event itself,” he said.
The MEC offered to work with industry role-players such as the KwaZulu-Natal United Music Industry Association, the Cultural and Creative Industry Federation of South Africa and the South African Music Industry Council.
“The reality is that many of our artists are still relying on the traditional ways of making money. These include bookings for live performances, recording contracts, licensing, marketing and distribution of their work in the country and worldwide,” Duma said.
He promised to ensure that the leadership of the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA) and the ANC-led provincial government worked together to spearhead concrete interventions for the benefit of artists, and to reposition KZN as the country’s cradle of creativity.
“Through SAMA Awards, we want event organisers and coordinators to have the opportunity to stage side events and activations in shisanyamas, taverns and other entertainment spots in the townships and rural areas,” quipped the fully bearded MEC.
The executive Mayor of eThekweni Mxolisi Kaunda added that eThekwini boasted world-class facilities and was always ready to host events, whether big or small.
“We offer five-star accommodation as well as an array of experiences that visitors can enjoy including adventure, culture, heritage, culinary, the beach and shopping. The list is endless of activities to enjoy in the City which is why we can proudly say #DurbanHasMore,” Kaunda said.
The awards will be held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on November 17 and 18, 2023.
SABC 1 will carry the broadcast.
Here are the nominees:
The Hip-Hop category includes MashBeatz’s ‘This Is Religion’, AKA’s ‘Mass Country’, K.O’s ‘SR3’, Thato Saul’s ‘Life Is Gangsta’ and Maglera Doe Boy’s ‘Diaspora’.
Kwesta and Kabza DeSmall’s ‘Speak n Voerstan’ was nominated under the Best Kwaito Album category alongside Big Nuz’s ‘R Masheshea’, Nkiyase’s ‘I Am Who I Am’ and a few others.
Blxckie, FLVME, Manana Kabomo and Nanette are battling it out for the Best R&B Album.
The late AKA leads the pack with a tally of no less than seven nods for his album Mass Country in the categories of Male Artist of the Year; Album of the Year; Best Engineered Album; Best Hip-Hop 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.
K.O follows with six nominations for his album ‘SR3’ and his massive hit single ‘Sete’ featuring Young Stunna and Blxckie.
He is nominated in the categories of Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Hip Hop Album, Best Collaboration, Best Produced Music Video and Remix of the Year for Sete featuring Young Stunna, Oxlade and Diamond Platnumz.
Sjava’s ‘Isibuko’ album earned him a spot in the fiercely contested Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Produced Album and Best Engineered Album.
Amapiano frontrunners Kabza De SmallandDJ Maphorisa earned at least four and three nominations respectively, they further walked away with two nods for their collaboration as Scorpion Kings.
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
• 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
Remix of the Year
• Ndinovalo – Morda
• Sete – K.O featuring Young Stunna, Oxlade & Diamond Platnumz
• Hayii Citizen Deep Remix – Citizen Deep X Mzux Maen ft Yasmin Levy
• Au dede – Karyendasoul
• Tobesta Remake – Myztro featuring Focalistic, Daliwonga, Shaunmusiq and Ftears
Rest of Africa Award
• Sad Romance – Ckay
• Timeless – Davido
• Worry – Lyre
• Dynastie – Ferre Gola
• Sounds of Peace – Moreira Chonguiça
Best Gqom Album
• 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 Album
• 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
Best Hip Hop Album
• Religion – MashBeatz
• Mass Country – AKA
• SR3 – K.O
• Life is Gangsta – Thato Saul
• Diaspora – Maglera Doe Boy
Best Jazz Album
• In the Spirit of Ntu – Nduduzo Makhathini
• Isambulu – Linda Sikhakhane
• Blk Elija & The Children of Meroe – Thandi Ntuli
• The 1st Gospel – Mthunzi Mvubu
• Finish the Sun – Shane Cooper and Mabuta
Best Kwaito Album
• Speak n Vrostaan – Kwesta and Kabza De Small
• R Mashesha – Big Nuz
• I Am Who I Am – Nkiyase
• Jukebox – Shisaboy
• Barabbas – Taylor K
Best Maskandi Album
• Umqhele Nethawula – Khuzani
• Ngeke Ungiphathe – Menzi
• Is’khiye Se-Coldroom – Thokozani Langa
• Iphakade Lami – Abafana Bakamgqumeni
• Home Alone – Inkos’yamagcokama
Best R&B Album
• But Could The Moments in Between – Ndumiso Manana
• Germander II – Lesego Kyle Mnyandu
• 4LUV (Deluxe) – Sihle Sithole
• Bad Weather – Nanette Siphesihle
• Passion Fruit – Kabomo
Best Traditional Album
• African Queen 2.0 – Makhadzi
• Ke Bone Molelo O Timile – MmaAusi
• A Reyeng Bahurutshe – Oarabele France Makgore
• Obe Happy – Molebatsi Tsotetsi
• Inkabi Nation – Big Zulu
Best Adult Contemporary Album
• Dark Secrets – Louise Carver
• Bait For Steps Forward – Nobuhle Ashanti
• Memories – Drakensberg Boys Choir
• Ndikhethiwe – Vusi Nova
• Love – Viwo Kulati
Best Dance Album
• Asante – Morda
• Next Level – Russell Zuma
• The Gospel According to Artwork Sounds – Grain
• WL4OM – Bonga Ntozini
• A New Dawn – Siyanda Makanya
Best Afro-pop Album
• Isibuko – Sjava
• From A God to A King – Kelly Khumalo
• Idwala – Mafikizolo
• Love is Pain – Venom
• Ekhayakomama – Philadlozi Mfekayi
Best Rock Album
• Kanniedood – Francois Badenhorst
• Fine Thanks, and You? – Russell Coward
• Hellcats – End of Days – Warwick Rautenbach/Alessandro Benigno
• Fuzigish – Malcolm King
• Testify – Basson Laubscher
Best Traditional Faith Album
• The Overflow – Dumi Mkokstad
• Hoja Ke Sena Wena – IPCC
• Ndiyabulela – Tsholofelo Ntuli
• The Grace Encounter Vol.1 – Phumulani Radebe
• Sedi Laka – Brown Mosiapoa
Best Contemporary Faith Album
• Lavish Worship – Ntokozo Mbambo
• Mhalamhala – Brenden Praise
• Take Heart – Hle
• Restored: The Jesus Collective – The Jesus Collective
• Hope – Vincent Jiyane
Beste Pop
• Jona – Bernice van der Westhuizen
• Insomnia – Brendan Peyper
• Loufi Flippen Loufi – Ifan-Luc Carlo Handel
• Hittegolf – Brandon Eloff
• Die Onbekende – Renier van der Westhuizen
Image (Multi award winner Sjava has been nominated in more than two categories for the SAMAs to be held in Durban).
