EC musos get first Sama nominations

EASTERN Cape musicians Dumza Maswana and Asanda “Msaki” Mvana received their first South African Music Awards (Sama) nominations this week.

Peddie-born Maswana’s latest album Molo has been nominated for the best African Adult Album alongside, Kelly Khumalo, Nathi, Nozipho and Soul Kulture.

East London’s Msaki released her debut album Zaneliza: How the water moves early last year and it has been nominated for the best adult contemporary album. Both artists are independent and have worked hard to make their mark in the music industry.

Speaking to the Saturday Dispatch yesterday, Maswana said the nomination was confirmation that he was on the right path.

“If I needed validation, this would be it but I know where I come from and music is my life. I don’t doubt for a second that this is my calling in life,” Maswana said.

The singer, who is known for his sexy baritone, said he was excited about the nomination and believed all the artists in the category were winners.

“The Samas are not about the hype, who gets most airplay or whatever. They are about the music, the creativity and there’s a panel that listens to our music and decides who gets nominated. I am really excited about this,” he said.

The Saturday Dispatch could not reach Mvana for comment but she posted on her Facebook page: “Sometimes in life ‘ZANELIZA: How the water moves’ gets nominated for a South African Music Award and you think of your peeps. All the love, talent, all the patience, all the understanding, all the support, all the encouragement. To the players that always come alongside me, to the Golden Circle fam at large that trusted a dream before it was even real.”

The two are not the only Eastern Cape artists who received nominations. East London’s most celebrated DJ and producer Mobi Dixon was nominated for best dance album and Amanda Black from Butterworth bagged four nominations.

Others nominated include Nathi Mankayi, Vusi Nova, Soul Kulture, Jaziel Brothers, Thandiswa Mazwai and NaakMusiQ. Rapper Nasty C leads the Sama pack with an impressive six nominations. His Bad Hair Extensions album earned him nods for Best Newcomer of the Year, Best Male Artist of the Year, Best Album of the Year and Best Rap Album. To top his SAMA23 honours, his videos Don’t Do It and Good Girls are in the running for Best Music Video of the Year.

Hot on the heels of 20-year-old Nasty C is rapper Kwesta with five nods. The Sama ceremony will be held at Sun City on May 27. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za