Holding thumbs for Samas
NOMINEES: THE WHO’S WHO OF LOCAL MUSIC AMONG THOSE IN THE HUNT
Popular groups Mafikizolo and Mi Casa are both up for three awards.
South African bands Mafikizolo and Mi Casa and elegant songbird Simphiwe Dana proved their staying power when they swept the boards at the Sama24 nominees announcement this week.
Afro-pop band Mafikizolo has three nominations in Best Afro Pop Album, Best Engineered Album and Best Produced Album for 20, their milestone release.
They are tied with Mi Casa. The accomplished dance trio also boasts three nominations in Best Dance Album, Best Produced Album and Best Engineered Album for Familia.
Simphiwe Dana vies for top honours in the Best Live Audiovisual, Best Jazz Album and Best African Artist for her Simphiwe Dana Symphony Experience.
The Sama24 nominations were unveiled at a glittering function held at Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni this week, attended by industry heavyweights and the stars that make the South African music industry sparkle the brightest.
Hot on the heels of Mafikizolo, Mi Casa and Simphiwe Dana are dance duo Distruction Boyz, rappers Kwesta, Riky Rick, Rouge and Shane Eagle, DJs Mobi Dixon and Prince Kaybee, vocalists Shekhinah, Benjamin Dube and Zoe Modiga and instrumentalist Nduduzo Makhathini with two nominations apiece.
Distruction Boyz got the nod for Best Collaboration for Omunye featuring Benny Maverick and Dlala Mshunqisi and Best Engineered album for Gqom Is The Future. Kwesta walked away with two nominations for Best Collaboration and Music Video of the Year both for Spirit featuring Wale.
Riky Rick is up for Best Hip Hop Album for Stay Shining and Best Remix of the Year for Buy It Out featuring Youngtsa CPT, KLY, DaLes, Frank Casino, J Molley and Stilo Magolide.
Rouge made the cut for Best Hip Hop Album for The New Era Sessions and Music Video of the
Dance trio boasts three nominations
Year for Arumtumtum much like Shane Eagle in the same categories for Yellow and Let It Flow respectively. Mobi Dixon earned two nods in Best of Remix of the Year for Lake By The Ocean and I Got You.
Prince Kaybee is in with a chance in the Best Produced Album and Best Dance Album for I Am Music.
Shekhinah is in the running for Best Produced Album and Best Pop Album for Rose Gold.
Gospel powerhouse Benjamin Dube sits with two nods in Best Contemporary Faith Music Album and Best Live Audiovisual for Victorious In His Presence with Benjamin Dube.
Zoe Modiga is up for Best Jazz Album and Best African Artist Album for her Yellow The Novel.
Nduduzo Makhathini snatched Best Jazz Album and Best Engineered Album nods for Ikhambi.
Comedian Mashabela Galane made history as the first comedian to be nominated in the Best Kwaito Album for his Bona That Rural Dream. He faces tough competition from Busiswa (Highly Flavoured), Chomee (Do Mo Squats), Team Mosha (So fa Silahlane) and Trendsetters (Ska Ba Hemisa).
The late Robbie Malinga’s last self-titled album earned him a spot in the Best Afro Pop Album to face Mafikizolo (20), Zahara (Mgodi), Ntando (Mayibuye) and Blaq Diamond (Inqola). Lady Zamar with her album King Zamar takes on the boys DJ Ganyani (Ganyani’s House Grooves 10), DJ Merlon (Pure Black Album), Prince Kaybee (I Am Music) and Mi Casa (Familia) in the Best Dance Album category.
The Best Contemporary Faith
Music Album is a holy duel between Nqubeko Mbatha (Heaven’s Ways), Benjamin Dube (Victorious In His Presence with Benjamin Dube), Swazi (The Alabaster), Bongani Nchang (Wonders of Mercy) and Sicelo Moya (Solid Rock) while in the Best Traditional Faith Music Album category titans Andile
KaMajola (Andile KaMajola Chapter 8 Sekwanele), Sipho Makhabane (Sinekhaya), Dumi Mkokstad (Egameni LikaJesu), Omega Khunou (Worship in Spirit & In Truth with Omega Khunou) and Women in Praise (Live in Johannesburg) view for honours.
Wouter Kellerman (Symphonic Soweto) takes on Janie Bay (Miscellany), Josie Field (Indie Soul), Charlie Finch (Life’s Journey) and Swing City (Now Listen Properly) for the Best Adult Contemporary Album gong. Beste Pop Album sees the best of Afrikaans musicians Kurt Darren (Laat Die Dansvloer Brand), Karlien van Jaarsveld (Sing Vir Liefde), Brendan Peyper (Hy Loop Oop), Ray Dylan (Uitbasuin) and Lianie May (Iemand Om Lief Te He) lock horns.