26th SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC AWARDS – and the Nominees are…

The 26th South African Music Awards (SAMAs) nominees have been announced, and will be going virtual in August because of the on-going COVID-19 issues.

The awards ceremony themed #ForThaKultcha will happen for five nights 3-7 August 2020 and will be broadcast on Mzansi Magic at 9:30pm.

The Best Kwaito Album category is back, to replace the Best Kwaito/Gqom/Amapiano.

This category will encompass Gqom and Amapiano as sub-genres under the Kwaito umbrella body. The Music Video of the Year Award has become a public voted category like the Record of the Year Award.

Here are the nominees…

BEST MASKANDI ALBUM:

Bawucisha ngo Paraffin by Abafana baka Mgqumeni

Hlanga Lomhlabathi by Izingane Zoma

Inhloko Nes’Xhanti by Khuzani

Inyoka Yodumo by Sgwebo Sentambo

Upopayi by Thokozani Langa

BEST TRADITIONAL MUSIC ALBUM:

Botshelo by Makopanela Pineng

Richang by Tswelelang Cultural Dancers

Sialala by Vha Venda Cultural Group

Tshimo Ea Tlholwa by Mma Ausi

Ungabanaki by Qadasi & Maqhinga

BEST COLLABORATION:

Akulaleki by Samthing Soweto featuring Sha Sha, DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small

Fetch Your Life by Prince Kaybee featuring Msaki

Love You Tonight by MFR Souls featuring DJ Maphorisa, Sha Sha and Kabza De Small

Say U Will by K.O featuring Nandi Madida

Tender Love by Sha Sha featuring DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small

BEST TRADITIONAL FAITH MUSIC ALBUM:

Re-Birth by TYGC Family

Psalm 103 by Jeffrey Mkansi

Praise & Repentance 2nd Offering by Muzie B

OkaJehova Akanqotshwa by Deborah Fraser

Calvary by Dumi Mkokstad

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR:

Sbu Noah for A David Kind of Psalm (Live)

Ami Faku for Imali

Spha Mdlalose for Indlel’eyekhaya

Ndabo Zulu & Umgidi Ensemble for Queen Nandi : The African Symphony

Viwe Mkizwana for Tributes

BEST AFRICAN INDIGENOUS FAITH ALBUM:

Uyalalelwa by The General Universal Zion Church of God (Isitimela)

Thobela Morena by Matsobane Maifo

Themba Lami by Amagoduka

Modula Sione Ore Utlwe, Mookamedi by Wacha Mkhukhu Wachumlilo

Lona Ba Ratang Ho Phela by Amadodana Ase Wesile

BEST AFRO POP ALBUM:

From Bongo With Love by Bongo Maffin

Imali by Ami Faku

Isiphithiphithi by Samthing Soweto

Selimathunzi by Mthunzi

Umuthi by Blaq Diamond

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM:

Zeno by Muzi

The Calling by James Deacon

Ndim Nani by Zu.

June by Manu Grace

Cult Pop by Lo-Ghost

BEST REGGAE ALBUM:

From the Low Land by Skeleton Blazer

Impilo Kantanga by Jeremiah Fyah Ises

The Revealer by Botanist

True Stories by Bongo Riot Di Dancehall Wakanda

Vision 2020 by Fruitystar

BEST CONTEMPORARY FAITH MUSIC ALBUM:

A David Kind of Psalm (Live) by Sbu Noah

Friends in Praise, Vol.2 by Neyi Zimu and Omega Khunou

Glory in His Presence by Benjamin Dube

Project 17 Live at Carnival City by Worship House

Seasons, Volume II by We Will Worship

BEST R&B/SOUL ALBUM:

Elements by Elaine

God Decides by Tellaman

My Heart to Your Soul by Lungisa Xhamela

Pink Panther by Tshego

Promised Land by Yanga Sobetwa

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR:

Benjamin Dube for Glory in His Presence

Samthing Soweto for Isiphithiphithi

Prince Kaybee for Re Mmino

Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane for Amanzi Nemifula: Umkhuleko

Bongo Riot Di Dancehall Wakanda for True Stories

BEST AFRICAN ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM:

Toro ka Mmino by T.S

S.G 2.0 by Tlale Makhene and Ziyawa Ka Zitha

Power of Dreams by Judith Sephuma

I Write What I Dream by Ntsika

Folklore: Chapter 1 by Pilani Bubu

BEST ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM:

Swansong by Lance James

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue by the Parlotones

Power by Amanda Black

In a Different Light by Wouter Kellerman

Africa by Ndlovu Youth Choir

BEST JAZZ ALBUM:

Genesis of a Different World by Steve Dyer

Indlel’eyekhaya by Spha Mdlalose

Queen Nandi: The African Symphony by Ndabo Zulu & Umgidi Ensemble

Tributes by Viwe Mkizwana

Amanzi Nemifula: Umkhuleko by Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane

BESTE KONTEMPORERE MUSIEK ALBUM: 

Coenie 2.2 by Coenie de Villiers

Boomhuis by Elandré

Jou Huis by Elvis Blue

Pure Plaas by Ricus Nel

Sterker by Riana Nel

REST OF AFRICA AWARD:

Blossom by Sha Sha (Zimbabwe)

I Love Girls With Trobul by Sarz and WurlD (Nigeria)

Metamorfose by Isabel Novella (Mozambique)

YPSZN2 by PsychoYP (Nigeria)

A Good Time by Davido (Nigeria)

BEST KWAITO ALBUM:

Baby Boy III by Vigro Deep

Ikhenani by DJ Tira

Scorpion Kings by DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small

The Beginning by MFR Souls

The Return of the Scorpion Kings by Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa

BESTE POP ALBUM:

Elektrisiteit by Dewald Wasserfall

Hou Vas by HANCO

#Partytjiedier by Kurt Darren

Patriot by Appel

Swaeltjies by Danny Smoke

BEST POP ALBUM:

DEEP BREATH by Deep Breath

Ghost by Matthew Mole

Here I Am by Christian Heath

Lifeline by Josh Wantie

Solitude by Mike Stent

BEST HIP HOP ALBUM:

3T by YoungstaCPT

Becoming a Pop Star by Yanga Chief

Injayam Vol.2 by DJ Sliqe

PTYunLTD by KO

Ungqongqoshe Wongqongqoshe by Big Zulu

BEST PRODUCED ALBUM

Swansong by Matthew Fink

Scorpion Kings by MFR Souls, DJ Maphorisa, Vigro Deep and  Kabza De Small

Re Mmino by Prince Kaybee

Isiphithiphithi by DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, MFR Souls, Howard, Mas Musiq and Samthing Soweto

In a Different Light by Wouter Kellerman

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR:

Ami Faku for Imali

Riana Nel for Sterker

Lady Zamar for Monarch

Manu Grace for June

Spha Mdlalose for Indlel’eyekhaya

BEST LIVE AUDIO VISUAL RECORDING:

A David Kind of Psalm (Live) by Sbu Noah

Calvary by Dumi Mkokstad

Glory in His Presence by Benjamin Dube

Krone 6 Live by Krone Various Artists

Your Word Alibuyi Lilambatha by Kholeka

BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM:

I Write What I Dream by Robin Walsh

Isiphithiphithi by Samthing Soweto, Pete Maher and Mas Musiq

Promised Land by Kurt Michael

The Return of the Scorpion Kings by Mas Musiq

Into Dust/Waltz for Jozi by Peter Auret

BEST CLASSICAL ALBUM:

Vignettes for Violin by Kristel Birkholtz

Die Tale Van My Hart by Wilhelm Lichtenburg

Freehand by Charl du Plessis

Andaluza – Music of Spain III by James Grace

Africa Celebrates by University of Limpopo Choristers and the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra

BEST PRODUCED MUSIC VIDEO:

Akulaleki by Yolanda Hlakula and Paul Ramaema

Whipped by Kyle White

SMA by Kyle White

Pearls to Swine featuring Tresor & Kid X by Msaki

Fetch Your Life by Ofentse Mwase

BEST ROCK ALBUM:

Until The Last Prayer by Gunshot Blue

The Bright Blue Orchids by The Plastics

Sins of the Father by Black Pistol

Plastic Kids by The Tazers

Dagdrome in Suburbia by Francois van Coke

DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR:

Malumz on Decks for Find Your Way

Worship House for Project 17 (Live at Carnival City)

Ndabo Zulu & Umgidi Ensemble for Queen Nandi: The African Symphony

We Will Worship for Seasons ,Volume II

Qadasi & Maqhinga for Ungabanaki

ALBUM OF THE YEAR:

Isiphithiphithi by Samthing Soweto

Re Mmino by Prince Kaybee

Seasons, Volume II by We Will Worship

True Stories by Bongo Riot Di Dancehall Wakanda

Amanzi Nemifula: Umkhuleko by Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane

REMIX OF THE YEAR:

Shay’inumber (Deep Sen) by Oscar Nyathi

Utatakho Remix by Yanga Chief featuring Boity, Dee Koala and Riky Rick

Sad To Think (Fka Mash Glitch Dub) by SculpturedMusic

Culture Vulture (Remix) by 25K

When Jazz Meets House (The Squad Remix) by DJ General Slam featuring Bruno Soares Sax

BEST DANCE ALBUM:

Akhiwe by Oskido

Find Your Way by Malumz on Decks

Monarch by Lady Zamar

Re Mmino by Prince Kaybee

Vibez by DJ Mshega

RECORD OF THE YEAR:

Gugulethu- Prince Kaybee ft Afro Brothers, Indlovukazi & Supta

Akulaleki- Samthing Soweto ft Sha Sha, DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small

Into Ingawe- Sun El Musician ft Ami Faku

This is Love- Lady Zamar

Whipped- Tellaman ft Nasty C, Shekinah

SMA- Nasty C ft Rowlene

Fetch Your Love- Prince Kaybee ft Msaki

Umlilo’ DJ Zinhle ft Mvzzle, Rethabile

Sondela- Tresor ft Msaki

No Ties- Tshego ft King Monada

Shesha- De Mthuda & Njelic

You- Holly Rey

Supa Dupa- KO

Ibhanoyi- Blaq Diamond

Jika- AKA ft Yanga Chief

Kokota- KaygeeDaking ft Buzizi, Killer Kau

Lalala- Black Coffee ft Usher

Labantwana Ama Uber- Semi Tee ft MIano, Kammu Dee

Joy Joy, Black Motion ft Brendan Praise

My Dali- TNS ft Indlovukazi

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR:

Supa Dupa- KO

SMA- Nasty C ft Rowlene

Fetch Your Life- Prince Kaybee ft Msaki

Umahlalela- Simmy

Whipped- Tellaman ft Nasty C, Shekinah

Umlilo- DY Zinhle ft Mvzzle , Rethabile

Mai Zuzu- TLT ft THabsie

Say You Will. KO ft Nandi Madida

Khetile Khetile- Kwesta ft Makwa. Tshego AMG, Thee Legacy

Joy Joy- Black Motion ft Brendan Praise

You- Holly Rey

Gugulethu- Prince Kaybee ft Afro Brothers, Indlovukazi & Supta

Koko-DH Maphotrisa & Kabza De Small ft Mhaw Keys

Abantu – Mobi Dixon

Ngwana Daddy -DJ Sumbody ft Kwest, Thebe, Vettys & Vaal Nation

Baby Are You Coming -Zero12Finest ft Thamagnificent2