South African Music Awards
Encyclopedia
The South African Music Awards (SAMAs) are an annual award ceremony, run by the Recording Industry of South Africa
Recording Industry of South Africa
The Recording Industry of South Africa is a trade association that represents the collective interests of producers of music sound recordings, major and independent record labels in South Africa. Formerly known as the Association of the South African Music Industry it was established in the 1970s...

 (RiSA), where accolades are presented to members of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

's music industry. Winners receive a statuette is called a SAMA. The event was established in 1995. The ceremony is held in May or April every year and contenders are judged on performances made in the previous year. The show is held at the Super Bowl in Sun City
Sun City, North West
Sun City is a luxury casino and resort, situated in the North West Province of South Africa. It is located about two hours' drive from Johannesburg, near the city of Rustenburg. The complex borders the Pilanesberg Game Reserve.- History :...

 and broadcast on SABC1. The ceremony features live performances by some of the nominees. The SAMAs are the South African equivalent of the American Grammy Awards.

Awards

SAMAs grouped into a number of categories (List of South African Music Award categories) which are representative of South Africa's varying popular musical genres. The majority of these are awarded to artists chosen by a panel of judges.

SAMAs that are not decided by a panel of judges

The winners of the following SAMAs are not chosen by a panel of judges:
  • Best-selling Album: Judged purely on sales, i.e. the South African album with the highest number of sales
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Chosen by the executive committee of RiSA
  • Record of the Year: Determined by a public vote, by SMS
    SMS
    SMS is a form of text messaging communication on phones and mobile phones. The terms SMS or sms may also refer to:- Computer hardware :...


Top 5

The Top 5 are considered to be the most prestigious of the SAMAs.
  • Album of the year
  • Best Newcomer
  • Best Female Artist
  • Best Male Artist
  • Best Duo or Group

Other Awards

Several other awards are also given out, approximately 50 in total, with many changing from year to year to accommodate changes in music styles and changes in popularity of already existing genres. They include awards for specific genres of music, such as Mbaqanga
Mbaqanga
Mbaqanga is a style of South African music with rural Zulu roots that continues to influence musicians worldwide today. The style originated in the early 1960s.-History:...

, Rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...

, and Kwaito
Kwaito
Kwaito is a music genre that emerged in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the 1990s. It is a variant of house music featuring the use of African sounds and samples. Typically at a slower tempo range than other styles of house music, Kwaito often contains catchy melodic and percussive loop samples,...

; as well as for performances in specific languages such as Afrikaans
Afrikaans
Afrikaans is a West Germanic language, spoken natively in South Africa and Namibia. It is a daughter language of Dutch, originating in its 17th century dialects, collectively referred to as Cape Dutch .Afrikaans is a daughter language of Dutch; see , , , , , .Afrikaans was historically called Cape...

 or Tsonga
Tsonga
Tsonga may refer to:* Tsonga language, a Bantu language spoken in southern Africa* Tsonga people, a large group of people living mainly in southern Mozambique* Jo-Wilfried Tsonga , French tennis player...

; and for other things such as production and music videos. At times genres are grouped together into a single category based on their popularity amongst a certain demographic (e.g. Best Urban Artist nominees are often Hip Hop, African pop and Kwaito artists grouped together since these genres are popular amongst South Africans living in urban areas).

Judging process

Most categories are judged by panels of unpaid, independent judges drawn from the broadcast and print media, as well as freelance writers and critics, performing musicians, and from academia. Entries are submitted by record companies belonging to RISA but the body of judges, which numbers a couple of hundred people, is chosen specifically for its lack of formal involvement with the record industry. Unlike some "academies", the body of SAMA judges is constantly evolving to introduce new expertise and opinion.

5th South African Music Awards (1999)

The 5th Annual SAMAs were held on 18 May 1999 with the following key awards issued:
  • Best Female Artist - Brenda Fassie
    Brenda Fassie
    Brenda Fassie , was a South African pop singer. She was known for her "outrageousness" and widely considered a voice for disenfranchised blacks during apartheid. She was affectionately known as the Queen of African Pop and her nickname amongst fans was Mabrr.-Biography:Brenda was born in Langa,...

     for Memeza
    Memeza
    Memeza is an album recorded by Brenda Fassie and Sello "Chicco" Twala in 1997. It was the best selling album in South Africa in 1998.-Track listing:# "Qula"# "Sum' Bulala"# "Vuli Ndlela"# "Msindo"# "Memeza"# "Vuli Ndlela "# "Qula "...

  • Best Male Artist - Ringo for Mamelani
  • Best Duo/Group - TKZee
    TKZee
    TKZee is a South Africa kwaito music group formed by three school friends, Tokollo Tshabalala, Kabelo Mabalane, and Zwai Bala. The group shot to prominence in late 1997 and early 1998 with their hit singles Palafala and Shibobo....

     for Halloween
  • Best Newcomer (artist or group) - Tasché for Tasché
  • Song of the Year - Brenda Fassie for Vul'indlela

10th South African Music Awards (2004)

The award ceremony took place on the 29th of May 2004 at the Sun City Super Bowl. Special, "of the decade" categories were introduced once off to mark the tenth anniversary of the SAMAs.
The winners were:
SAMA 2004 winners in major categories:
  • Song of the Decade - Brenda Fassie
    Brenda Fassie
    Brenda Fassie , was a South African pop singer. She was known for her "outrageousness" and widely considered a voice for disenfranchised blacks during apartheid. She was affectionately known as the Queen of African Pop and her nickname amongst fans was Mabrr.-Biography:Brenda was born in Langa,...

     "Vulindlela" (Voted by the public)
  • Best-selling Release of the Decade - Brenda Fassie "Memeza" (based purely on sales)
  • Best Female Artist - Swazi Dlamini ("My First Love")
  • Best Male Artist - Zim Ngqawana
    Zim Ngqawana
    Zim Ngqawana was a South African flautist and saxophonist. He was later known as Zimology.-Biography:...

     ("Vadzimu")
  • Best Duo or Group - Mafikizolo ("Kwela")
  • Best Newcomer - Adilah ("S'esfikile")
  • Artist of the Year - Mzekezeke
    Mzekezeke
    Sibusiso Leope , well known as Mzekezeke , or DJ Sbu is a South African kwaito artist....

  • Record of the Year - Mzekezeke
    Mzekezeke
    Sibusiso Leope , well known as Mzekezeke , or DJ Sbu is a South African kwaito artist....

     for ""Akekh' uGogo"
  • Lifetime Achievement Winners: Chicco
    Chicco
    Chicco is an Italian baby care brand established in 1958 and it is the most important brand of Artsana, an Italian company founded in 1946. Chicco specializes in making clothing and equipment for babies and toddlers, including strollers, high chairs, car seats and toys...

    , Big Voice Lerole, Juluka
    Juluka
    Juluka was a South African music band formed in 1969 by Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu. Juluka means "sweat", and was the name of a bull owned by Mchunu.-Career:...


11th South African Music Awards (2005)

The award ceremony took place on the 16th of April 2005 at the Sun City Super Bowl.
SAMA 2005 winners in major categories:
  • Best Female Artist - Thandiswa Mazwai
    Thandiswa Mazwai
    Thandiswa Mazwai is a multi-award winning South African musician, and is also the lead vocalist and songwriter of Bongo Maffin.-Early life:...

     ("Zabalaza")
  • Best Male Artist - Themba Mkhize ("Hands On")
  • Best Duo or Group - Revolution ("Another Level")
  • Best Newcomer - Simphiwe Dana
    Simphiwe Dana
    Simphiwe Dana is a Xhosa pop singer in South Africa. With her unique combination of jazz, pop, and traditional music, she has been hailed as the "new Miriam Makeba"....

     ("Zandisile")
  • Artist of the Year - Zola
    Zola (entertainer)
    Bonginkosi Dlamini, aka Zola, is a South African musician, actor and presenter. He also presents Zola 7, a television show named for him, on SABC 1.-Cultural Influences:...

     ("Bhambatha")
  • Record of the Year - Brown Dash for "Phans' Komthunz' Welanga"
  • Lifetime Achievement Winners: Sipho Mabuse
    Sipho Mabuse
    Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse was born in Johannesburg on 2 November 1951. Mabuse got his start in the African soul group the Beaters in the mid-1970s. After a successful tour of Zimbabwe they changed the group's name to Harari...

    , Brenda Fassie
    Brenda Fassie
    Brenda Fassie , was a South African pop singer. She was known for her "outrageousness" and widely considered a voice for disenfranchised blacks during apartheid. She was affectionately known as the Queen of African Pop and her nickname amongst fans was Mabrr.-Biography:Brenda was born in Langa,...

    , Margaret Singana
    Margaret Singana
    Margaret Singana was a South African musician.Margaret Singana started out her 'career' by singing as she cleaned houses for people. She was a domestic worker that enjoyed her occupation...

    , Dorothy Masuku

12th South African Music Awards (2006)

The award ceremony took place on the 6th of May 2006 at the Sun City Super Bowl.
SAMA 2006 winners in major categories:
  • Best Female Artist - Judith Sephuma
    Judith Sephuma
    Judith Sephuma is a South African jazz and Afro-pop singer. She grew up in Polokwane and moved to Cape Town in 1994 to study as a jazz vocalist. In 1997 she graduated from the University of Cape Town with a Performer's Diploma in Jazz and went on to further study...

     ("New Beginnings")
  • Best Male Artist - Jimmy Dludlu ("Corners Of My Soul")
  • Best Duo or Group - Bongo Maffin
    Bongo Maffin
    Bongo Maffin is a South African kwaito music group. The group became famous for its hit albums such as Thath'isigubhu. Its lead singer, Thandiswa Mazwai, has since gone solo, releasing two albums, Zabalaza and Ibokwe....

     ("New Construction")
  • Best Newcomer - Brickz ("Face-Brick")
  • Record of the year - Ntando for "Dali Wam"
  • Artist of the Year - Ntando
  • Best Rap Album of the Year - Tuks Senganga
    Tuks Senganga
    Tuks is a popular South African Motswako rapper whose real name is Tumelo Kepadisa, who frequently performs in ethnic languages, though mostly Setswana. Tuks Senganga was born Tumelo Kepadisa on 2 May 1981 in Mafikeng in the former homeland of Bophuthatswana. He started writing in 1993, drawing...

     for ("Mafoko A Me
    Mafoko A Me
    Mafoko A Me is the debut studio album of South African Hip Hop artist Tuks, released in 2005 in South Africa.-Track listing:# Intro - 1:11# Vice Versa - 4:09# Kom'tseng ft Zossa - 3:36# I Love You Back - 3:03# The Need - 4:14...

    ")

Lifetime Achievement Winners: Piet Botha
Piet Botha
Piet Botha is a South African musician who is the frontman of the South African rock band Jack Hammer , which has been an opening act for bands such as ZZ Top and he also performs solo....

, Joe Correira, Al Debbo
Al Debbo
Al Debbo was a South African comedian, singer and actor. As one of the most famous artists of his generation he made an enormous contribution to Afrikaans music and culture.- Early life :...

, Thandi Klaasen
Thandi Klaasen
Thandi Klaasen is a jazz musician from Sophiatown, Gauteng. Her career as a singer and dancer began in the mid-1950s. In 1961 she moved to London to work in the musical King Kong. She has since performed with Dolly Rathebe, Miriam Makeba, Dorothy Masuka, and others.When she was a teenager, her face...

, Rex Rabanye

13th South African Music Awards (2007)

The award ceremony took place on the 14th of April 2007 at the Sun City Super Bowl.
SAMA 2007 winners in major categories:
  • Best Female Artist - Simphiwe Dana
    Simphiwe Dana
    Simphiwe Dana is a Xhosa pop singer in South Africa. With her unique combination of jazz, pop, and traditional music, she has been hailed as the "new Miriam Makeba"....

     - ("The One Love Movement on Bantu Biko Street")
  • Best Male Artist - Vusi Mahlasela
    Vusi Mahlasela
    Vusi Sidney Mahlasela Ka Zwane is a Sotho South African singer-songwriter.His music is generally described as "African folk". His work was an inspiration to many in the anti-apartheid movement. His themes include the struggle for freedom, and forgiveness and reconciliation with enemies...

     - ("Naledi Ya Tsela")
  • Best Duo/Group - Mafikizolo - ("Six Mabone")
  • Best Newcomer - Siphokazi - ("Ubuntu Bam")
  • Album of the Year - Simphiwe Dana ("The One Love Movement on Bantu Biko Street")
  • Record of the year - DJ Sbu for "Remember When It Rained"
  • Lifetime Achievement Winners: Boet Pretorius, Abdullah Ibrahim
    Abdullah Ibrahim
    Abdullah Ibrahim , born Adolph Johannes Brand, 9 October 1934 in Cape Town, South Africa, and formerly known as Dollar Brand, is a South African pianist and composer...

    , the Soul Brothers

14th South African Music Awards (2008)

The award ceremony took place on the 3rd of May 2008 at the Sun City Super Bowl.
SAMA 2008 winners in major categories:
  • Best Female Artist - Karen Zoid
    Karen Zoid
    Karen Zoid is a female South African rock artist with vocal and guitar and acting talent. She is also a songwriter whose lyrics have been included in Afrikaans poetry courses at Stellenbosch University and the University of Pretoria.On 3 May 2008 she won the South African Music Awards SAMA for...

     - ("Postmodern World")
  • Best Male Artist - Hip Hop Pantsula
    Hip Hop Pantsula
    Hip Hop Pantsula, born Jabulani Tsambo, is a popular South African Motswako hip-hop MC who frequently performs in ethnic languages, though mostly in Setswana.- Career :...

     - ("Acceptance Speech
    Acceptance Speech
    Acceptance Speech is the six studio album of South African Hip Hop artist Hip Hop Pantsula, released under the CCP/EMI S.A. label in November 2008 in South Africa.-Track listing:...

    ")
  • Best Duo/Group - Freshlyground
    Freshlyground
    Freshlyground is a South African Afro-fusion band that formed in Cape Town in 2002. The band members variously hail from South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe...

     - ("Macheri")
  • Best Newcomer - Tasha Baxter - ("Colour Me")
  • Album of the Year - Freshlyground
    Freshlyground
    Freshlyground is a South African Afro-fusion band that formed in Cape Town in 2002. The band members variously hail from South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe...

     - ("Macheri")
  • Record of the year - DJ Sdunkero for "Maputo Song"
  • Lifetime Achievement Winners: Ge Korsten
    Gé Korsten
    Gérard Korsten was a South African opera tenor and actor who had a great influence on Afrikaans culture....

    , Lucky Dube
    Lucky Dube
    Lucky Philip Dube was a South African reggae musician. He recorded 22 albums in Zulu, English and Afrikaans in a 25-year period and was South Africa's biggest selling reggae artist...


15th South African Music Awards (2009)

The 15th Annual MTN South African Music Awards took place on May 2 at the Sun City Super Bowl. The multiple award winners included Lira, Goldfish, Thembisile and Joyous Celebration. Rhythmic Elements' 2 by 2 won MTN Record of the year. It was hosted by Trevor Noah and featured performances by top South African acts such as GoldFish, Bhekumuzi Luthuli (died April 2010), Prime Circle and Zamajobe.
Major winners were:-
  • Best Male Artist – Abdullah Ibrahim
    Abdullah Ibrahim
    Abdullah Ibrahim , born Adolph Johannes Brand, 9 October 1934 in Cape Town, South Africa, and formerly known as Dollar Brand, is a South African pianist and composer...

     – Senzo
  • Best Female Artist – Lira – Soul In Sound
  • Best Duo/Group – Soweto Gospel Choir
    Soweto Gospel Choir
    -History:The Soweto Gospel Choir was formed in Soweto, South Africa by David Mulovhedzi and Beverly Bryer, two choir directors. The 30+ member ensemble blends elements of African gospel, Negro spirituals, reggae, and American popular music...

  • Album of the year – Lira – Soul in mind
  • Best New Artist – Andile Mseleku
  • Record Of The Year – Rhythmic Elements – 2 by 2

16th South African Music Awards (2010)

The 16th Annual MTN South African Music Awards took place on April 17 at the Sun City Super Bowl. Kelly Rowland
Kelly Rowland
Kelendria Trene "Kelly" Rowland is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and television personality. She rose to fame as one of the founding members of the American girl group Destiny's Child...

 premiered the official MTN World Cup 2010 theme song Everywhere You Go
Everywhere You Go (World Cup song)
"Everywhere You Go" is the MTN theme song for the 2010 FIFA World Cup performed by an all-star supergroup of international artists called Rhythm of Africa United...

alongside other African singers such as 2face Idibia
2face Idibia
Innocent Ugah Idibia , best known by his stage name 2Face Idibia, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, actor and record producer. He was a member of the defunct R&B/hip hop group Plantashun Boyz. 2Face is currently one of the most popular artistes on the African music scene.- Early life :2Face Idibia...

, Zuluboy or Chameleone
Chameleone
Joseph Mayanja known for his stage name Jose Chameleon, Joe Chameleon, Jose Chameleone, or just Chameleone is a ragga musician from Uganda. He mainly sings in Luganda, English and Swahili...

. Other local superstars who performed at the glitzy award ceremony which was presented by Trevor Noah
Trevor Noah
Trevor Noah is an award winning South African comedian. He became well known in South Africa as the "Customer Experience Officer" of Cell C, through their "Tell Trevor" marketing campaigns...

, included Hip Hop Pantsula
Hip Hop Pantsula
Hip Hop Pantsula, born Jabulani Tsambo, is a popular South African Motswako hip-hop MC who frequently performs in ethnic languages, though mostly in Setswana.- Career :...

 (HHP), Die Heuwels Fantasties
Die heuwels fantasties
-Name:Die Heuwels Fantasties is an Afrikaans electronic band from Bellville, South Africa.Die Heuwels Fantasties is composed of Hunter Kennedy , Pierre Greeff , and Johnny de Ridder .-First Album, Die Heuwels Fantasties:Their...

, Sterling EQ, Romanz, and Soweto Gospel Choir
Soweto Gospel Choir
-History:The Soweto Gospel Choir was formed in Soweto, South Africa by David Mulovhedzi and Beverly Bryer, two choir directors. The 30+ member ensemble blends elements of African gospel, Negro spirituals, reggae, and American popular music...


SAMA 2010 winners:
  • Male Artist of the Year Artist: Black Coffee - Home Brewed
  • Female Artist of the Year: Lira - Live in Concert: A Celebration
  • Duo / Group of the Year: Jaziel Brothers - The Journey
  • Newcomer of the Year: Tshepo Mngoma - People and Places
  • Album of the Year: Big Nuz - Undisputed
  • Best Music Video of the Year: The Parlotones - Push Me To The Floor
  • Best Maskandi Album: Umgqumeni - I SMS
  • Best Rock Album (English): The Parlotones - Stardust Galaxies
  • Best Pop Album (English): Axene - 16
  • Best Pop Album (Afrikaans): Bobby van Jaarsveld - Net Vir Jou
  • Best Pop Album (African): Ntando - Inqubenko
  • Best Urban Pop Album: Jozi - Wild Life
  • Best Sokkie Dans Album: Die Campbells - Mamma Maria
  • Best Urban Dance Album: Black Coffee - Home Brewed
  • Best Rap Album: Teargas - Dark or Blue
  • Best Kwaito Album: Big Nuz - Undisputed
  • Best Contemporary Jazz Album: Adam Glasser - Free at First
  • Best African Traditional Gospel Album: Sechaba - Mangihamba Mawe
  • MTN Best Selling Mobile Music Download: Hands Up - DJ Cleo
  • Best Selling Album: Afrikaner Hart - Bok van Blerk
  • Lifetime Achievement: Carike Keuzenkamp & Jabu Khanyile
  • International Achievement: Soweto Gospel Choir
  • MTN Record of the Year: Umlilo - Big Nuz featuring Tira

17th South African Music Awards (2011)

For the first time, the SAMAs were held in Johannesburg at Montecasino, Fourways. The main ceremony which was broadcast on SABC 1 was on Saturday May 21st 2011, but a smaller gala event took place the night before. Loyiso Bala was one of the presenters, and freshlyground
Freshlyground
Freshlyground is a South African Afro-fusion band that formed in Cape Town in 2002. The band members variously hail from South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe...

, Goldfish and Nomfusi amongst the guest performers. Some of the big winners were:

•Album of the Year: Liquideep – Fabrics of the Heart

•Newcomer of the Year: Locnville – Sun in My Pocket

•Duo or group of the Year: Liquideep – Fabrics of the Heart

•Male Artist of the Year: Professor – University Of Kalawa Jazmee

•Female artist of the Year: Thandiswa Mazwai – Dance of the Forgotten Free – Live in Concert

•MTN Record of the Year: Professor - Imoto

•Best Music Video of the Year: The Parlotones – The Stars Fall Down

•International Achievement Award: Die Antwoord

•Lifetime Achievement Award: Lance James & Sipho Gumede

•Best African Pop Album: Theo Kgosinkwe - Grateful

•Best English Pop Album: Jax Panik – I Am Jax Panik

•Best Afrikaans Pop Album: Juanita du Plessis – Engel Van My Hart

•Best English Rock Album: Prime Circle – Jekyll & Hyde

•Best Afrikaans Rock Album: Van Coke Kartel – Skop, Skiet en Donner

•Best Sokkie Dans Album: Kurt Darren - Die Beste Medisyne

•Best Rap Album: Amu – The Principle

•Best Kwaito Album: Professor – University Of Kalawa Jazmee

•Best Jazz / Instrumental / Popular Classical DVD: Sterling EQ

•Best popular classical album: Peter Martens & Luis Magalhães – Beethoven Cello Sonatas

•Best R&B/Neo-Soul Album: Leanne - The Journey

•MTN Best-selling Mobile Music Download: DJ Mzi ft. DJ Cleo – Nababantwana

•Full-track Download of the Year: Shout – Artists for a Safer South Africa

•Best English Adult Contemporary Album: Freshlyground
Freshlyground
Freshlyground is a South African Afro-fusion band that formed in Cape Town in 2002. The band members variously hail from South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe...

 - Radio Africa

•Best African Adult Contemporary Album: Stimela - A Lifetime

•Best English Alternative Music Album: Yoav – A Foolproof Escape Plan

•Best African Alternative Music Album: Nomsa Mazwai - Nomisupa

•Best Global Chart DVD: The Parlotones
The Parlotones
The Parlotones is a rock band based in Johannesburg, South Africa. They have achieved multiplatinum-selling status in their home country. They experiment with their sound and various structures in their songs, incorporating the typical doo-wop or traditional folk structures. The Parlotones are...

 - Live Design

•Best Global Dance Album: Goldfish – Get Busy Living

•Best Multi-Artist Live DVD: Huisgenoot
Huisgenoot
Huisgenoot is a weekly Afrikaans-language general interest family magazine. It has the highest circulation figures of any South African magazine and is followed by sister magazine YOU, its English language version. A third magazine, Drum, is directed at the black market...

Skouspel 2010

External links

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