Midrand, 26 September 2024 – The race towards SAMA30 has officially begun, with international South African sensation Tyla leading the SAMA30 nominations with an impressive five nods. This announcement was made earlier today at a star-studded nominee unveiling event held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.
Tyla, whose self-titled album has taken both local and international charts by storm, received nominations in some of the most coveted categories, including SAMPRA Album of the Year, Ukhozi FM Female Artist of the Year, SANTAM Newcomer of the Year, and Best Pop Album. Additionally, her collaboration on the song Water with Travis Scott earned her a spot in the Best Collaboration category.
The 30th edition of the South African Music Awards (SAMAs), set to take place on 2 November 2024, promises to be a grand celebration of three decades of musical excellence. With the theme Less Noise, More Music, SAMA30 aims to place a renewed focus on creativity and artistry in South African music.
Top SAMA30 Nominations
Following closely behind Tyla are Kabza De Small and Mthunzi, and Mbuso Khoza, each with three nominations. Kabza De Small, renowned for his dominance in the Amapiano genre, is in the running for Album of the Year and Motsweding FM Best Amapiano Album for Isimo, alongside Mthunzi. The duo also earned a nomination for Radio 2000 Duo/Group of the Year.
Khoza’s work on the Shaka iLembe Soundtrack Album Volume 2 (Original Music from the Shaka iLembe TV Series) earned him nods for Best Produced Album, Best Traditional Music Album, and Best Engineered Album.
In the hotly contested Lesedi FM Male Artist of the Year category, Amapiano heavyweights Kelvin Momo (Kurhula), Daliwonga (Dali Dali), and De Mthuda (Baba Yaga) go head-to-head with rapper Priddy Ugly (Dust) and new-age Maskandi artist Ugatsheni (Uyihlo noNyoko).
On the female side, Tyla competes with a powerhouse lineup in the Ukhozi FM Female Artist of the Year category, which includes Brenda Mtambo (Sane), Lwah Ndlunkulu (Imizwa), Lordkez (Testament), and Xolly Mncwango (Unusual).
A Focus on Newcomers and Collaboration
The SANTAM Newcomer of the Year category has attracted a diverse and dynamic mix of artists, with a notable representation of female talent. Tyla, Lwah Ndlunkulu (Imizwa), and Sykes (Most Wanted) lead the charge, with competition from Die Piesangskille and Johan Balt (Almal Gly) and Joliza (Bhacasoul Experience EP).
In the Best Collaboration category, some of the biggest names in music join forces. Tyla and Travis Scott’s hit Water is up against Mörda and Thakzin (Burning Bush), Kabza De Small and Mthunzi featuring Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine, and Umthakathi Kush (Imithandazo), De Mthuda, Da Muziqal Chef, and Sipho Magudulela (Sgudi Sync), as well as Dlala Thukzin, Sykes, and Zaba (iPlan).
A Morning of Celebration and Nostalgia SAMA30 Nominations Announcement
The nominees’ event was hosted by radio and television personality Luthando ‘Lootlove’ Shosha, with the morning beginning with yellow-carpet arrivals, fashion highlights, and a gourmet brunch. Performances from artists like Zola, Khuli Chana, and Bassie, along with nostalgic tunes celebrating 30 years of SAMAs and democracy, set the tone for the celebrations.
The entertainment lineup also included the Kryptonite dance group, Abafana Baka Mnqumeni, DJ Thabi Thabs, and Easy Freak. Social media star Kutlwano Yika delighted the crowd with his renditions of local classics.
“We are thrilled to congratulate the nominees for SAMA30. This year’s selection showcases the incredible diversity, talent, and creativity in South African music, which is aligned with the ethos of the SAMAs.”he further added: “Your music has touched lives, sparked movements, and brought joy to millions.”
Watch the SAMA30 Nomination Announcement
Some of the nominations and popular categories:
SAMPRA Album of the Year
Nominees:
- Isimo – Kabza De Small and Mthunzi
- Tyla – Tyla
- Dali Dali – Daliwonga
- Soothe My Soul: Songs from our South African Church – Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Unusual – Xolly Mncwango
SANTAM Newcomer of the Year
Nominees:
- Sykes – Most Wanted
- Lwah Ndlunkulu – Imizwa
- Tyla – Tyla
- Die Piesangskille and Johan Balt – Almal Gly
- Joliza – Bhacasoul Experience EP
Ukhozi FM Female Artist of the Year
Nominees:
- Tyla – Tyla
- Brenda Mtambo – Sane
- Lwah Ndlunkulu – Imizwa
- Lordkez – Testament
- Xolly Mncwango – Unusual
Lesedi FM Male Artist of the Year
Nominees:
- Priddy Ugly – Dust
- Kelvin Momo – Kurhula
- Ugatsheni – Uyihlo noNyoko
- Daliwonga – Dali Dali
- De Mthuda – Baba Yaga
Best Collaboration
Nominees:
- Burning Bush – MöRDA and Thakzin
- iPlan – Dlala Thukzin, Sykes, and Zaba
- Sgudi Sync – De Mthuda, Da Muziqal Chef, and Eemoh feat. Sipho Magudulela
- Water – Tyla and Travis Scott
- Imithandazo – Kabza De Small and Mthunzi feat. Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine, and Umthakathi Kush
Motsweding FM Best Amapiano Album
Nominees:
- Boroko Keng – Mellow & Sleazy
- Baba Yaga – De Mthuda
- Dali Dali – Daliwonga
- Isimo – Kabza De Small and Mthunzi
- Kurhula – Kelvin Momo
Best Produced Album
Nominees:
- I Love It Here – Nasty C
- No Other Love – David Watkyns
- Shaka iLembe Soundtrack Album Volume 2 – Mbuso Khoza
- Wake Up, It’s Morning – Matthew Mole
- Ifa Lomkhono – Mbuso Khoza
Radio 2000 Duo/Group of the Year
Nominees:
- Mellow & Sleazy – Boroko Keng
- FokofPolisieKar – Dans Deur Die Donker
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Soothe My Soul: Songs from our South African Church
- Die Piesangskille and Johan Balt – Almal Gly
- Kabza De Small and Mthunzi – Isimo
Best Pop Album
Nominees:
- Mila Smith – You Need Therapy
- Will Linley – Magic
- Paxton – 23:23
- Matthew Mole – Wake Up, It’s Morning
- Tyla – Tyla
Best Hip Hop Album
Nominees:
- FLVME – Note To Self
- Nasty C – I Love It Here
- Wordz – People Forget To Be People (Deluxe)
- The Big Hash – Heartbreak Hotel
- Priddy Ugly – Dust
Best Jazz Album
Nominees:
- Steve Dyer – Enhlizweni: Song Stories From My Heartland
- Hugh Masekela and Siparia Deltones – Siparia To Soweto
- Thandi Ntuli and Carlos Niño – Rainbow Revisited
- Vuma Levin – The Past Is Unpredictable, Only The Future Is Certain
- Kujenga – In The Wake
Best Traditional Music Album
Nominees:
- Joliza – Bhacasoul Experience EP
- Makhadzi – Mbofholowo
- Shabalala Rhythm – I’m Happy
- Shaka iLembe Soundtrack Album Volume 2 – Mbuso Khoza
- Soul Brothers – Hamba Naye
Best Dance Album
Nominees:
- MöRDA and Thakzin – Asante II
- Dlala Thukzin – Permanent Music 3
- Zakes Bantwini – The Star Is Reborn
- DBN Gogo – Clickbait
- Sculptured Music – Reputation
Best Gqom Album
Nominees:
- Funky Qla – Dark or Durban
- Bello No Gallo – Gqom To Another Level Vol.1
- QueDj – We Don’t Play The Same Gqom 2
- Mr Thela – TronicsLand Series 2
- General C’mamane – The Young Prince Of Gqom
Best Adult Contemporary Album
- The Misty Cliffs – The Misty Cliffs
- Stimela – Drakensberg Boys Choir
- The Drive – Dr Duda
- Shipwrecked – Jack Atlantic
- Isipho – Smama
Best Afro Pop Album
- Umkhonto – Zuko SA
- Imizwa – Lwah Ndlunkulu
- Ukhamba – Inkabi Zezwe
- Zulu Romance – Blaq Diamond
- Ugcobo – Nomfundo Moh
Best Alternative Album
- Layers – Carla Franco
- Enter the Grootness (Deluxe) – Van Pletzen
- Hopeless & Romantic – CHXRL
- I’m With The Singer – I’m With The Singer
- Don’t Forget To Howl – West Coast Wolves
Best Engineered Album
- Shaka iLembe Soundtrack Album Volume 2 (Original Music from the Shaka iLembe TV Series) – Mbuso Khoza
- Wake Up, It’s Morning – Matthew Mole
- Umoya – Embracing the Human Spirit – Vusi Mahlasela
- Sane – Brenda Mtambo
- Reimagined – The Soil
Best Kwaito Album
- Ghetto Skomplaz – Abobhova
- Celebrating 25 Years In The Game – Sbu Malawyer
- Genesis – Taylor K
- Most Wanted – Sykes
- Inzalo YeKwaito 2nd Half – Zinaro
Best Maskandi Album
- National Anthem – Inkos’yamagcokama
- Uber Driver – Sminofu
- Amakhothangqoko – Mthandeni SK
- Uyihlo noNyoko – Ugatsheni
- Isivulwe Yonke – Ntencane
Best Produced Music Video
- Dali by Kamo Mphela – Kudzi
- Amakhehla by Sjava – Tido
- 4am by Loatinover Pounds – BSV
- 018 by Cassper Nyovest – Jabu
- Call Me by Filah Lah Lah – Reabetswe Fila Ranamane
for more nominees and cataegories, please visit the SAMA website
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