Thandiswa Mazwai, Kelvin Momo, Sjava and Black Motion lead nominations for the 31st annual South African Music Awards
Kelvin Momo received two nominations in the Best Amapiano Album category for Ntsako and Sewe. He will compete with Vigro Deep (Your Piano Is Not My Piano), Mellow & Sleazy (Midnight in Sunnyside 3) and Zee Nxumalo (Inja Ye Game). Momo is also nominated for Best Collaboration for Waze Wamuhle. Other nominees in the category include Black Motion (Takala), Kususa (Ematshwaleni), Matt Davies (Stay With Me) and Mas Musiq (Amalanga).
Sjava earned two nods for Best Afro Pop Album for Isibuko (Deluxe) and Inkanyezi (Live). He will compete with Nomfundo Moh (Twenty Four), Malik (Malik) and Dalom Kids (Collaborations With Friends). Sjava’s Isibuko (Deluxe) is also nominated for Best Engineered Album alongside Black Motion (The Cradle Of Art), Thandiswa Mazwai (Sankofa), Keenan Meyer (Reawakening) and Jeremy Loops (Feathers & Stone).
Thandiswa Mazwai’s Sankofa received a nomination for Best African Adult Contemporary Album, competing with Zoë Modiga (Nomthandazo), Zamajobe (Umi), Ndu Shezi (Isibusiso Sami) and Mthuthu (Indumiso YabeNguni). Sankofa is also nominated for Best Produced Album, with Zamajobe (Umi), Black Motion (The Cradle Of Art), Qü (Reprise on 2nd Avenue) and Linda Sikhakhane (iLadi) as competitors.
Black Motion picked up four nominations. Their nods include Best Dance Album alongside former member Mörda (Cr4zy!!..), Dlala Thukzin (Finally Famous Too), Caiiro (Caiiro) and Shimza (Dreaming).
Best Hip Hop Album nominees are Blxckie (See U Soon Deluxe), Tony Dayimane (Red October: Induction), Loatinover Pounds (Pray 4 Pitori), Sizwe Alakine (Audio 2D; Dear Darkie) and 25K (Loyal To The Plug: The Life & Times of Don Kilograms). Best Gqom Album nominees include Lelowhatsgood (Next Level), DJ Sandiso (Nande 3.0), Goldmax (Play At Your Own Risk), DJ Lag (The Rebellion) and Mr Thela (Tronics Land 3).
For Best Jazz Album, nominees are Nduduzo Makhathini (uNomkhubulwane), Nick Ford (Terra Solus), Nomfundo Xaluva (Ndilapha), Peter Auret (Hope Dies Last) and Ncesh Nonxishi (Apho Kungenje). Best R&B/Soul Album nominees are Elaine (Stone Cold Heart), Filah Lah Lah (On Air), Mikhalé Jones (Too Many Promises), Clxrity (It’s Clear To See) and The Big Hash (Heartbreak Hotel — deluxe).
The nominees for the top five categories, including Album of the Year, Best Newcomer, Best Male Artist, Best Female Artist and Best Duo or Group, will be announced next month. Winners will be revealed in November at a ceremony described as an evolved hybrid format.
Samas spokesperson Unati Gwija said this year’s nominations celebrate both genres and the journeys behind them. She noted the mix of established icons and emerging voices across categories, describing it as a golden era where music reigns supreme.
