Entertainment Reporter.
Kwaito, Amapiano and Gqom will for the first time compete as standalone categories at the South African Music Awards (Samas) after years of being consolidated.
The award committee announced on Wednesday that it would separate the popular youth music genres amaPiano, Gqom and Kwaito into their own categories after previously having banded them together, much to the disapproval of fans across the country who called the categorisation unfair.
Now, artists will be nominated in the Best Kwaito Album, Best Gqom Album and Best amaPiano album respectively, as of this year.
Last year musicians in these genres competed under the umbrella Best Kwaito Album category, with DJ Tira’s Ikhenani winning the category.
The year before the combined category was Best Kwaito/Gqom/Amapiano and Spikiri scooped it.
“This move is a reflection of the changing local music landscape as seen in the rise in popularity of these three genres. The consistent number of entries and the competitiveness of the music justified the unbundling of the old Best Kwaito/Amapiano/Gqom Album category. The Samas remain relevant and responsive to the trends in the music industry. We look forward to a great run in the new categories,” said Recording Industry of South
Africa CEO, Nhlanhla Sibisi.
“We also look forward to SAMA27 after the challenges of SAMA26 which was delivered amidst a global pandemic and we remain dedicated and committed to the cause of making SA music recognised for its excellence.”
Entries for submissions for the Samas are currently open for the eligibility period between February 1 2020 and January 31 2021. Entries close on January 31.