27th South African Music Awards

Last updated
27th South African Music Awards
SAMA27-Brand-Logo21-.jpg
Official poster
DateJuly 31, 2021
LocationVirtual event, multiple venues
CountrySouth Africa
Hosted by Bontle Modiselle
Lawrence Maleka
MottoRedefine, Invent, Imagine
Most awardsKabza De Small (4)
Most nominationsKabza De Small (6)
Television/radio coverage
Network SABC 1
  26th  · SAMAs ·  28th  

The 27th Annual South African Music Awards were the 27th edition of the South African Music Awards. The award show was broadcast live on SABC 1 on July 31, 2021 and was held virtually due to the effects of COVID-19 lockdowns. [1] [2]

Contents

The nominees were announced on 19 May 2021. [3] Kabza De Small received the most nominations with six, ahead of Sun-El Musician with five nominations. [4] The 27th annual SAMAs introduced new categories, introducing best amapiano, gqom and kwaito albums as their own categories. [5]

On 17 July 2021, it was announced that television personalities Bontle Modiselle and Lawrence Maleka were to be the hosts of the ceremony. [6]

Performers

The list of performers was announced on July 28. [7] [8]

Artist(s)Song(s)
Sjava "Umcebo"
Boity "Bakae"
Big Zulu (featuring Riky Rick and Intaba Yase Dubai)"Mali Eningi"
Bucy Radebe
Azana
Langa Mavuso
Buhlebendalo
Blaq Diamond

Winners and nominees

Nominees are as listed below. Winners are in bold. [9]

Album of the yearFemale Artist of the YearMale Artist of the Year
  • 'Once Upon A Time in Lockdown – Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa (Scorpion Kings)
    • Persistence – Bongo Riot
    • The Healers: The Last Chapter – Black Motion
    • I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust – Kabza De Small
    • Back to Love – Junior Taurus
  • Sho Madjozi – What a Life
    • Reign Africa – On the Frontline
    • Bucy Radebe – Spiritual Encounter
    • Nomcebo Zikode – Xola Moya Wam’
    • HLE – Your Kingdom on Earth
Newcomer of the YearDuo/Group of the YearBest Rock AlbumBest Pop Album
  • Bucy Radebe – Spiritual Encounter
    • Xolly Mncwango – Jesus is Enough
    • Reign Africa – On the Frontline
    • BandaBanda & The Crocodiles – Africado
    • Azana – Ingoma
  • Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa (Scorpion Kings) – Once Upon A Time in Lockdown
    • Reece Madlisa & Zuma – Ama Roto EP
    • MFR Souls – Musical Kings
    • Mas Musiq & Aymos – Shonamalanga
    • Mi Casa – We Made It
  • Orange Sunshine – Yum Yuck
    • Chrome Neon Jesus – Ethyl Ether
    • Here’s to the Now – Nathan Smith
    • The Devils Cattle – Ruff Majik
    • Nothing’s Gonna Change – Oooth
  • Tribes & Angels – Locnville
    • 11:11 – Rowlene
    • I Don’t Sleep – Jethro Tait
    • Sugar – Mark Stent
    • She – Amy Lilley
Best Pop AlbumBest Afro Pop AlbumBest R&B/Soul AlbumBest Adult Contemporary Album
  • Twintig20 – Brendan Peyper
    • 2021 – Die Heuwels Fantasties
    • Die Toekoms is Synth – Synth Peter
    • Gewigloos – Juan Boucher
    • Gemaklik Verlore – Christa Visser
  • Uhambo – Soul Kulture
    • A Force To Be Reckoned With – Thando
    • LANGA – Langa Mavuso
    • SindisiweLaSauce
    • Small World – Ricky Tyler
  • Beyele - The Journey Continues – Max – Hoba
    • UmsebenziSjava
    • Isambulo – 1020 Cartel Artists
    • Bamako – Simphiwe Dana
    • Buhlebendalo – Chosi
Best Classical Album/Instrumental AlbumBest Contemporary Music AlbumBest Hip Hop AlbumBest Reggae Album
  • We’ve Known All Times – Wouter Kellerman
    • Live in Cape Town – Guy Buttery & Derek Gripper
    • Imagine – Charles du Plessis Trio
    • Live in Lisbon – Nibs van der Spuy and Guy Buttery
    • Tek’o – CH2
  • Herverbeel – Die Heuwels Fantasties
    • Wandel in my Woning – Refentse
    • Net Geleen – Bernice West
    • Monumentaal – Ruhan Du Toit
    • Spontaan – Riaan Benadê
  • Persistence – Bongo Riot
    • The Journey – Ras Canly
    • My Music – Freeky
    • On the Frontline – Reign Africa
    • Empathy Riddim – Lavoro Duro
Remix of the YearBest CollaborationBest Dance AlbumBest Kwaito
  • "Yehla Moya" – Da Capo
    • "Jerusalema" – Kid Fonque
    • "Ndanele" – Dwson
    • "Sala Nabani" – Sun-El Musician, Claudio & Kenza
    • "Speak Lord" – Sculptured Music
  • "Mali Eningi" – Big Zulu featuring Riky Rick & Intaba Yase Dubai
    • "Uthando" – Darque featuring Zakes Bantwini
    • "Ek Like Hoe Jy Dans" – Chê featuring Snotkop
    • "Senzeni" – Mthandazo Gatya featuring Comado & DJ Manzo SA
    • "Yehla Moya" – Da Capo & Nduduzo Makhathini featuring Omagugu
  • The Healers: The Last Chapter – Black Motion
  • Ama Roto EP – Reece Madlisa & Zuma
    • Sgubhu OverDoze – Lvovo & Danger
    • Endaweni – Darkie Fiction
    • Don’t Lose Hope – Sukiri Papa
    • Bhut’Madlisa – Mampintsha
Best Amapiano AlbumBest Gqom AlbumBest Engineered Album of the YearBest Produced Music Video
  • Once Upon A Time In Lockdown – Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa (Scorpion Kings)
    • Musical Kings – MFR Souls
    • Back to Love – Junior Taurus
    • I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust – Kabza De Small
    • Shonamalanga – Mas Musiq & Aymos
  • InzaloYekwaito – Zinaro
    • We Don’t Play the Same Gqom – Que
    • Make Cape Town Great Again – Mshayi & Mr Thela
    • Isiqalo – DragerNation
    • Idando KaziBabes Wodumo
  • Inganekwane by Zoë Modiga – Papi Diretsi & Songo Oyama
    • Swingle Bells by Jonathan Roxmouth – Adam Howard
    • Goodluck Upclose by Goodluck – Murray Anderson & Andrew Rawborn
    • Isambulo by 1020 Cartel Artists – Mfanafuthi Ruff
    • The Second Coming by Kid Tini – James Smals, Kitie, Ron Epidemic & Tweezy
  • "Hosh" by Prince Kaybee featuring Sir Trill – Ofentse
    • "Where is the DJ" by Malumz on Decks featuring Khanyisa – Oscar Nyathi
    • "Qhawe – Made to Create" by Toya Delazy – Kyle Lewis & Vjorn Tucker
    • "Mamela" by Mi Casa – Katya Abedian
    • "Lucky Star" by K.O – Adam Zackon & Dale Fortune
Best Live Audio Visual RecordingBest Alternative Music AlbumBest African Indigenous Faith AlbumBest Traditional Faith Music Album
  • A Journey to the World & Beyond – Sun-El Musician
    • Your Kingdom on Earth – HLE
    • The Throne (Live Edition) – Presss
    • Spiritual Encounter – Bucy Radebe
    • My Hart Klop Refentse – Refentse
  • iimini – Bongeziwe Mabandla
    • Mania/Post Mania – Yellow House
    • Hot Mess – Evert Snyman
    • Filth and Wisdom – The Medicine Dolls
    • Ebusuku – Th&o
  • Izwi Lakho – Mandlethu Gospel Singers
    • Makhosi Akithi – Vuma Zion
    • Katlehong Gospel Choir Artist Development – Katlehong Gospel Choir Artist Development
    • Sithembe Wena Nkosi – JTG Gospel Choir
    • Enyokumkhonza – Enyonini Mission Ministries
  • Spiritual Encounter – Bucy Radebe
    • Project 17 – Chapter 2 – Worship House
    • Buya Nkosi – Thinah Zungu
    • Wathi Eloyi Eloyi – Sipho Makhabane
    • Izulu – Sneziey
Best Contemporary Faith Music AlbumBest Maskandi AlbumRest of Africa ArtistBest Traditional Album
  • Your Kingdom on EarthHLE
    • Devotion – Nqubeko Mbatha
    • Face 2 Face – Collen Maluleke
    • Jesus is Enough – Xolly Mncwango
    • The Promised Revival Part One – Tshwane Gospel Choir
  • Imfene Kamakhelwane – Abafana Baka Mgqumeni
    • Amagupta – iChwane Lebhaca
    • Ziyangiluma Izinja – Phuzekhemisi
    • Iqatha Eliziqobayo – Thokozani Langa
    • Banathi Shaqa – Imithente
  • What a LifeSho Madjozi
    • Love and War – Henny C
    • Angeke Bakuthande Boke – Smangele
    • Shebeen Queen – Vusi Mahlasela
    • Ndavhuko – Vendaboy Poe

Artist Of The Year Top 5 1. Makhadzi 2. Ethyl Ether 3. Blaq Diamond 4. Reece Madlisa and Zuma 5. HLE

CAPASSO Most Streamed Song of The Year You're the One - Elaine

Best Adult Contemporary Album:

Winner: Ndlovu Youth Choir - Rise

Artist Of The Year Top 3 1. HLE 2. Makhadzi 3. Blaq Diamond

Best Jazz Album:

Winner: Modes of Communication: Letters from the Underworlds - Nduduzo Makhathini Best Produced Album:

Winner: Sjava - Umsebenzi (Delaydem, Ruff Nkosi, Webmoms, Zadok & Vuyo Manyike)

Music Video of the Year:

Winner:

Record of the Year:

Winner:

Artist of the Year:

Winner:

Special Awards

International Achievement Award

Lifetime Achievement Award

Best singer in intertainment industry

Sir trill

Best Selling Artist

SAMRO HIGHEST AIRPLAY AWARD

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerusalema</span> 2019 single by Master KG featuring Nomcebo Zikode

"Jerusalema" is a song by South African DJ and record producer, Master KG featuring South African vocalist Nomcebo. The upbeat gospel-influenced house song was initially released on 29 November 2019 after it garnered positive response online, with a music video following on 21 December. The music video of the song has generated half a billion views on YouTube. It was later included on Master KG's second album of the same title, released in January 2020. A single edit was released on streaming services on 10 July 2020, after it went viral during mid-2020, garnering international reaction due to the #JerusalemaChallenge. A remix featuring Nigerian singer Burna Boy was released on 19 June 2020. It reached number one in Belgium, Netherlands, Romania and Switzerland, while peaking in the top ten of multiple other European countries. A second remix featuring Venezuelan singer Micro TDH and Colombian singer Greeicy was released on 17 September 2020.

Themba Sekowe, known professionally as DJ Maphorisa, is a South African DJ, record producer, singer, and songwriter. As a record producer with a blend of house music, amapiano and afropop, he has worked with and has received production credits from several notable artists, including Wizkid, Sizwe Alakine, Kwesta, Uhuru, Drake, Black Coffee, Major Lazer, Runtown, C4 Pedro, TRESOR, Kabza De Small, Era Istrefi, Mpura, Young Stunna and Killer Kau. He was signed to Kalawa Jazmee Records prior to establishing his own record label, BlaqBoy Music.

Kgaogelo Moagi, professionally known as Master KG, is a South African DJ, singer and record producer. Born and raised in Tzaneen, his debut studio album Skeleton Move achieved acclaim including an AFRIMA Award for Best Artist/Group in the African Electro category. He is also known as the pioneer of "Bolobedu" dance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ami Faku</span> South African singer-songwriter

Amanda Faku is a South African singer, performer and songwriter. Born and raised in the township of eZinyoka, Port Elizabeth, developed musical interest at the age of 6 and participated on church choirs. Faku rose to fame as a contestant on The Voice SA season 2 in 2017, prior getting recognition in the music industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sha Sha (singer)</span> Zimbabwean-born singer (born 1994)

Charmaine Shamiso Mapimbiro, professionally known as Sha Sha, is a Zimbabwean-born singer-songwriter from Mutare. Hailed by many as the "Queen of amapiano", her career began in 2011, at the age of 17 and later was discovered by Audius Mtawarira. She gained popularity for her collaborations with South African amapiano producers such as DJ Maphorisa and Kabza de Small.

The 26th Annual South African Music Awards were held on 3–7 August 2020. Unlike previous years shows, the ceremony was broadcast as a five-night event, with the first four episodes being 30 minutes long, while the fifth one was a 45-minute grand finale. It was held virtually due to the effects of COVID-19 lockdowns, and for the first time, the award show was to be broadcast live on Multichoice's Mzansi Magic Channel. This was the first year the show was broadcast live via My Muze by Vodacom.

Nomcebo Nothule Zikode is a South African singer and songwriter. Born in Hammarsdale, Zikode was a backing singer for several years. She collaborated with DJ Ganyani on their hit single "Emazulwini" (2018).

Oscar Mbongeni Ndlovu, is a South African record producer, podcaster and DJ. He creates house music containing elements of deep house, deep tech, Nu Jazz, broken beat and Lounge music.

MFR Souls is a South African amapiano music duo founded in 2012 by Tumelo Nedondwe and Tumelo Mabe, both of whom are DJ and music producers from Katlehong in the East Rand of Johannesburg. They are regarded as being part of the pioneers of the ama piano sound, alongside Kabza de small, Jazzidiciples. Their hit single "Love You Tonight" was commercial success certified platinum in South Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Focalistic</span> South African rapper

Lethabo Sebetso, professionally known as Focalistic, is a South African rapper. He rose to prominence after his single "Ke Star", reached number 16 on Billboard Top Triller Global charts. Born and raised in Pretoria, Sebetso was a footballer prior pursuing a music career as a rapper, released his debut studio album Sgubhu Ses Excellent (2020).

Sandile Fortune Msimango, popularly known by his stage name Young Stunna is a South African singer. He is known for his hit singles "Bopha" and "Adiwele". He has also extensively worked with record producers DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small.

Thabo Ngubane, is a South African DJ and record producer professionally known as Mas Musiq. He came to prominence subsequent to the release of his singles "Sengizwile" and "Uzozisola", of which the latter was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).

"Abalele" is a South African amapiano song produced by Kabza de Small and DJ Maphorisa, featuring the vocals of Ami Faku. It was released on September 17, 2021, and became a hit in South Africa, topping the Apple Music charts and becoming the country's fourth most-streamed song of 2021 on Spotify.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kabza de Small</span> South African DJ & Record producer

Kabelo Petrus Motha is a South African DJ and record producer, popularly known as Kabza de Small. He is a major figure in the amapiano genre of house music. Aside from his solo career, Motha is a member of the Scorpion Kings. Motha gained international recognition after the release of "Umshove", in 2018.

<i>I Am the King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust</i> 2020 studio album by Kabza de Small

I Am the King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust is a third solo studio album by South African DJ Kabza de Small, released through Piano Hub on June 26, 2020.

Prudence Sebalo, is a South African DJ and record producer prominently known under the alias of Miss Pru DJ. She gained recognition subsequent to the release of her single "Ameni" with guest appearances from Sjava, Emtee, Saudi, A-Reece, Fifi Cooper and B3nchmarQ.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Price to Pay</span> 2020 single by Miss Pru DJ

"Price to Pay" is a single by South African DJ and record producer Miss Pru DJ, it features guest appearances from Blaq Diamond and Malome Vector. The single was released on 8 May 2020 through Ambitiouz Entertainment and has received a South African Music Award in 2021 for Best Music Video of the Year.

Nkosazana Nolwazi Kimberly Nzama professionally known as Nkosazana Daughter, is a South African singer and songwriter. Nzama gained national recognition after she released her 14-track debut album that featured notable artists such as DJ Maphorisa, Makhadzi, Master KG, Kabza de Small, Tyler ICU, Major League DJz, Young Jonn, and Chronical Deep, and others. She collaborated with Master KG and Lowsheen on "Sofa Silahlane", which was released on 12 May 2022. The track hit number 1 on Apple's Local iTunes Charts. In April 2022, the music video of 'Dali Nguwe' featuring Master KG reached 3 million views in three weeks. In June 2023, her debut studio album got released and charted number 34 on Spotify Top albums, and debuted number 3 in South Africa. She has performed in Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, United States and several other countries.

"Imithandazo" is an amapiano song by Kabza de Small and Mthunzi from their collaborative studio album Isimo (2023). It was released on 27 October 2023 by Piano Hub under exclusive license from Sony Music Entertainment Africa, it features guest appearances from DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine, Young Stunna, and Umthakathi Kush with production handled by Kabza de Small and DJ Maphorisa, collectively known as Scorpion Kings.

Bokang Moleli, known professionally as Malome Vector, was a Lesotho singer-songwriter and rapper. Born and raised in Roma, Maseru, Vector's musical career began at the age of 14 in 2004 as a school choir participant prior to competing on talent shows. Vector was one of the young artists who expressed their culture & language in HipHop music, as in most of his songs he sings in the Sotho language.

References

  1. "Sama27: Amapiano star Kabza De Small leads with six nominations". thesouthafrican.com. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  2. "27th Samas set for virtual experience on July 31". sowetanlive.co.za. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  3. "Samas 27: Nominations are out and men are leading the nods". The Citizen. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  4. "Amapiano star Kabza De Small tops SAMA27 nominations". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  5. "The 2021 SAMAs will recognise Gqom and Amapiano as separate categories". News24. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  6. Birjalal, Alyssia (July 19, 2021). "Bontle Modiselle Moloi and Lawrence Maleka announced as Sama27 hosts". iol.co.za.
  7. Jabulani, John (28 July 2021). "SA Rappers Scheduled To Perform At #SAMA27". Ubetoo.
  8. "Sama27 announces performers and presenters". Biz Community. July 28, 2021.
  9. Dayile, Qhama (31 July 2021). "Here's the full list of the SAMA winners | Drum". News24. South Africa.