Entertainment Reporter.
@DanHoldings.
The winners of this year’s South African Music Awards (SAMAs) were announced virtually on 31 July.
Amapiano heavyweights Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa emerged as the biggest winners on the night with three gongs for their collaborative work.
The duo, which is also known as the Scorpion Kings, won in the Album of the Year, Best Amapiano Album and Duo/Group of the Year categories. Kabza De Small also scooped the coveted Male Artist of the Year award for his album I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust.
Afropop duo Blaq Diamond became the first group to win the Artist of the Year trophy at the SAMAs. Matthew Mole received the Record of the Year award and Miss Pru triumphed in the Music Video of the Year category.
Bucy Radebe bagged two trophies in the Newcomer of the Year and Best Traditional Faith Album categories, and Master KG and Nomcebo Zikode claimed the SAMRO Composer Highest Airplay award.
Meanwhile, the SAMAs this year honoured Master KG with the International Achiever Award for his global smash hit ‘Jerusalema’ featuring Nomcebo Zikode, and Lebo M, Dr Lindelani Mkhize and PJ Powers received Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Sho Madjozi clinched the highly acclaimed Female Artist of the Year and the Best Traditional Album gongs. The Best Hip Hop Album and Best Gqom Album accolades went to Nasty C and Zinaro, respectively.
The event was hosted by actress Bontle Moloi and actor Lawrence Maleka, and featured performances by local artists Sjava,Buhlebendalo,Azana,Boity,Langa Mavuso,Big Zulu and Bucy Radebe.
Below is the full list of winners:
Album 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
Duo/Group of the Year
- 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 and Aymos – Shonamalanga
- Mi Casa – We Made It
Female Artist of the Year
- Sho Madjozi – What a Life
- Reign Africa – On the Frontline
- Bucy Radebe – Spiritual Encounter
- Nomcebo Zikode – Xola Moya Wam’
- Hle – Your Kingdom on Earth
Male Artist of the Year
- Kabza De Small – I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust
- Sun-El Musician – To the World & Beyond
- Bongo Riot – Persistence
- Oscar Mbo – For the Groovists
- Junior Taurus – Back to Love
Newcomer of the Year
- Xolly Mncwango – Jesus Is Enough
- Reign Africa – On the Frontline
- BandaBanda & The Crocodiles – Africado
- Azana – Ingoma
- Bucy Radebe – Spiritual Encounter
Best Rock Album
- 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
Best Pop Album
- Tribes & Angels – Locnville
- 11:11 – Rowlene
- I Don’t Sleep – Jethro Tait
- Sugar – Mark Stent
- She – Amy Lilley
Beste Pop Album
- Twintig20 – Brendan Peyper
- 2021 – Die Heuwels Fantasties
- Die Toekoms is Synth – Synth Peter
- Gewigloos – Juan Boucher
- Gemaklik Verlore – Christa Visser
Best Adult Contemporary Album
- In the Kingdom of the Aloës – amaFranx
- Repaired – Jack Atlantic
- Rise – Ndlovu Youth Choir
- Take Me to the River – Connell Cruise
- The South African Songbook – Kurt Darren & The Soweto Gospel Choir
Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album
- Herverbeel – Die Heuwels Fantasties
- Wandel In My Woning – Refentse
- Net Geleen – Bernice West
- Monumentaal – Ruhan Du Toit
- Spontaan – Riaan Benadê
Best African Adult Contemporary Album
- Amakhaya – Max-Hoba
- Umsebenzi – Sjava
- Isambulo – 1020 Cartel Artists
- Bamako – Simphiwe Dana
- Buhlebendalo – Chosi
Best Alternative Music Album
- iimini – Bongeziwe Mabandla
- Mania/Post Mania – Yellow House
- Hot Mess – Evert Snyman
- Filth and Wisdom – The Medicine Dolls
- Ebusuku – Th&o
Best Kwaito Album
- Ama Roto EP – Reece Madlisa & Zuma
- Sgubhu OverDoze – Lvovo & Danger
- Endaweni – Darkie Fiction
- Don’t Lose Hope – Sukiripapa
- Bhut’Madlisa – Mampintsha
Best Dance Album
- The Healers: The Last Chapter – Black Motion
- To The World & Beyond – Sun-El Musician
- For The Goovists – Oscar Mbo
- Xola Moya Wam’ – Nomcebo Zikode
- We Made It – Mi Casa
Best Traditional Faith Music Album
- Spiritual Encounter – Bucy Radebe
- Worship House Project 17, Chapter II – Worship House
- Buya Nkosi – Thinah Zungu
- Wathi Eloyi Eloyi – Sipho Makhabane
- Izulu – Sneziey
Best Contemporary Faith Music Album
- Your Kingdom on Earth – Hle
- Devotion – Nqubeko Mbatha
- Face 2 Face – Collen Maluleke
- Jesus is Enough – Xolly Mncwango
- The Promised Revival Part One – Tshwane Gospel Choir
Best Traditional Album
- What a Life – Sho Madjozi
- Love and War – Henny C
- Angeke Bakuthande Boke – Smangele
- Shebeen Queen – Vusi Mahlasela
- Ndavhuko – Vendaboy Poet
Best Maskandi
- Imfene Kamakhelwane – Abafana Baka Mgqumeni
- Amagupta – iChwane Lebhaca
- Ziyangiluma Izinja – Phuzekhemisi
- Iqatha Eliziqobayo – Thokozani Langa
- Banathi Shaqa – Imithente
Artist of the Year
- Blaq Diamond
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Lebo M
- Dr Lindelani Mkhize
- PJ Powers
International Achievement Award
- Master KG
Best Selling Artist
- Mlindo the Vocalist – Emakhaya
Most Streamed Song
- You’re the One – Elaine.