Kabza De Small The Biggest Winner At This Year’s SAMAs

Kabza De Small emerged as one of the biggest winners at the 29th edition of the SAMAs (South African Music Awards) sponsored by Motsepe Foundation, held last night at SunBet Arena at Time Square, Menlyn Maine. The glittering awards ceremony was hosted by Metro FM’s breakfast show host DJ Sabby and Nomalanga Shozi with red carpet hosts Umkhokha actress Hope Mbhele and Uzalo’s Thuthuka Mthembu and featured performances from the likes of Kabza De Small, Makhadzi, Loatinover, Msaki, Alter Ego and 25K.

Gospel superstar Ntokozo Mbambo took home Female Artist of The Year, Album of The Year and Best Contemporary Faith Album awards for Lavish Worship. AKA posthumously scored the hotly contested Male Artist of The Year and Best Collaboration for Lemons (Lemonade) featuring Nasty C. His album, Mass Country, scooped the Best Engineered Album for Robin Kohl & Itu. The icon lives long in true Supermega style. In her acceptance speech an emotional Lynn Forbes, mother of AKA said: “This occasion is so special it is a full circle moment for us. In 2021 Kiernan won Best Male Artist at the SAMA’s and to stand here tonight to accept this award in his absence is just the most incredible honour. Thank you, South Africa, thank you Africa and thank you Megacy.”

2Point1 featuring Ntate Stunna and Nthabi Sings staged a remarkable feat as they won both Record of the Year and Music Video of the Year gongs for their runaway hit Stimela, as voted for by the public. K.O’s Sete featuring Young Stunna and Blxckie won the SAMRO Highest Airplay Composer Award and CAPASSO Most Streamed Song Award.

Wouter Kellerman, Zakes Bantwini and Nomcebo Zikode were honoured with the International Achievement Award for their remarkable track Bayethe, a song that transcended borders placing the three giants as Grammy winners. The Lifetime Achievement awards went to Mandoza (posthumous), Ihhashi Elimhlophe, Gloria Bosman (posthumous) and Pops Mohamed for their outstanding contribution in the music industry.

“#SAMA29 was definitely filled with
multiple challenges but through the art of collaboration, artists, esteemed industry professionals, guest presenters and hosts we were able to celebrate all our winners. We are so grateful for them and for South Africa as a whole and their love for the country’s music and entertainment industry. We are so proud of all our winners and wish that their careers continue to be as unforgettable as this evening has been. #SAMA30 let’s go!”

Nhlahla Sibisi, RISA’s CEO

SAMA 29 FULL LIST OF WINNERS:

Female Artist of the Year: Lavish Worship – Ntokozo Mbambo

Male Artist of the Year: Mass Country – AKA

Duo/Group of the Year: DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small – Scorpion Kings Live Sun Arena

Album of the Year: Lavish Worship – Ntokozo Mbambo

Newcomer of the Year: Myztro – 2.0 Nkwari

Best Engineered Album: Mass Country – AKA, Engineered by Robin Kohl & Itu

Best Dance Album: Asante – Mörda

Best African Adult Contemporary: Usiba Lwe Gazi – Nathi

Best Adult Contemporary Album: Dark Secrets – Louise Carver

Best Afro-Pop Album: Isibuko – Sjava

Best Alternative Album: On The Romance of Being – Desire Marea

Best Amapiano Album: KOA II Part 1 – Kabza De Small

Best Classical/Instrumental Album: Fire Beast – Vox Chamber Choir & Franco Prinsloo

Best Collaboration: AKA feat Nasty C – Lemons (Lemonade)

Best Hip-Hop Album: This Is Religion – MashBeatz

Best Jazz Album: The Spirit of Ntu – Nduduzo Makhathini

Best Kwaito Album: Speak N Vrostaan – Kwesta & Kabza De Small

Best Maskandi Album: Umqhele neThawula – Khuzani

Best Pop Album: Seasons – Lloyiso

Best Produced Album: KOA II Part 1 – Kabza De Small, Produced by Da Muziqal Chef, Mdu aka TRP, Stakev, DJ Maphorisa, Felo Le Tee

Best Produced Music Video: Elaine – Shine, Directed by Jesse Ray Diamond, Produced by Shayna Gianelli

Best R&B/Soul Album: But Could The Moments in Between – Manana

Best Reggae Album: Unleashed – Blakka Yut

Best Rock Album: Kanniedood – Francois van Coke

Best Traditional Faith Album: The Overflow Gcwala Kimi – Dumi Mkokstad

Best Contemporary Faith Album: Lavish Worship – Ntokozo Mbambo

Beste Kontemporere Musiek Album: Toe Roep Ek Jou Naam – Jan Blohm & Ryno Velvet

Best Traditional Album: African Queen 2.0 – Makhadzi

Beste Pop Album: Jona – Bernice West

Remix of the Year: Mörda & Yallunder – Ndinovalo

Rest of Africa award: Sounds of Peace – Moreira

Best Gqom Album: Meeting With The King – DJ LAG

Best African Indigenous faith Album: Emmanuel (Farewell to Phodiso Joel Kgaudi) – JTG Gospel Choir 

SAMRO Highest Airplay Composer Award: SETE (feat. Young Stunna & Blxckie)

CAPASSO Most Streamed Song Award: SETE (feat. Young Stunna & Blxckie)

Lifetime Achievement Award: Mandoza (posthumous), Ihhashi Elimhlophe, Gloria Bosman(posthumous) and Pops Mohamed.

International Achievement: Wouter Kellerman, Zakes Bantwini and Nomcebo Zikode. 

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