ICMYI: Kabza the Small dominates at this year’s SAMA awards, walking away with 4 gongs
After a rather tricky start to the SAMAs, the 29th edition of the prestigious awards went down with zero glitches this past weekend. Numerous stars walked away with nods, with Kabza De Small making a clean sweep with four wins at the awards ceremony that was sponsored by Motsepe Foundation.
The Amapiano superstar walked away with Best Duo/Group of The Year award alongside DJ Maphorisa for Scorpion Kings Live Sun Arena and Best Produced Album for KOA II Part 1 produced by Kabza De Small, Da Muziqal Chef, Mdu aka TRP, Stakev, DJ Maphorisa and Felo le Tee.
The reputable ceremony was held at SunBet Arena at Time Square, Menlyn Maine, hosted by DJ Sabby and Nomalanga Shozi with red carpet hosts Hope Mbhele and Thuthuka Mthembu. The two night affair featured performances from the likes of Kabza De Small, Makhadzi, Loatinover, Msaki, Alter Ego and 25K. The guest presenters were an array of some of the biggest names in music and entertainment.
Gospel superstar Ntokozo Mbambo emerged as one of the triumphant talents of #SAMA29 evening as she took home Female Artist of The Year, Album of The Year and Best Contemporary Faith Album awards for Lavish Worship. The KwaZulu-Natal born songbird who came on the scene as the youngest member of Joyous Celebration in 2000 continues to prove her powerhouse status as a solo act.
AKA posthumously scored the hotly contested Male Artist of The Year and Best Collaboration for Lemons (Lemonade) featuring Nasty C. His album, Mass Country, scooped the Best Engineered Album for Robin Kohl & Itu. The icon lives long in true Supermega style.
Amapiano sensation, Myztro, walked away with the prestigious Newcomer of the Year award for 2.0 Nkwari. Crowd favourite, Makhadzi, took home Best Traditional Album for African Queen 2.0. Mörda cemented his brand as a solo artist and a true performer as he had the crowd rejoicing to his set while taking home Best Dance Album as well as Remix of The Year for Ndinovalo alongside Yallunder. Lloyiso’s Seasons won him Best Pop Album.
K.O’s Sete featuring Young Stunna and Blxckie won the SAMRO Highest Airplay Composer Award and CAPASSO Most Streamed Song Award.
Wouter Kellerman, Zakes Bantwini and Nomcebo Zikode were honoured with the International Achievement Award for their remarkable track Bayethe, a song that transcended borders placing the three giants as Grammy winners.
The Lifetime Achievement awards went to Mandoza (posthumous), Ihhashi Elimhlophe, Gloria Bosman (posthumous) and Pops Mohamed for their outstanding contribution in the music industry.
The Night 1 Industry Awards saw Nduduzo Makhathini win Best Jazz Album for In The Spirit of Ntu, Khuzani won Best Maskandi Album for Umqhele neThwaula while Dumi Mkokstad scooped Best Traditional Faith Album. Beste Pop Album went to Bernice West for Jona, Nathi secured Best African Adult Contemporary Album award for Usiba Lwe Gazi. and the Rest of Africa award was taken by Moreira Chonguica for Sounds of Peace.
RiSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi was elated at the winners: “#SAMA29 was definitely filled with multiple challenges but through the art of collaboration, artists, esteemed industry professionals, guest presenters and hosts we were able to celebrate all our winners. We are so grateful for them and for South Africa as whole and their love for the country’s music and entertainment industry. We are so proud of all our winners and wish that their careers continue to be as unforgettable as this evening has been. #SAMA30 let’s go!”
Full list of all SAMA29 winners.
| Female Artist of the Year | Lavish Worship – Ntokozo Mbambo |
| Male Artist of the Year | Mass Country – AKA |
| Duo/Group of the Year | DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small – Scorpion Kings Live Sun Arena |
| Album of the Year | Lavish Worship – Ntokozo Mbambo |
| Newcomer of the Year | Myztro – 2.0 Nkwari |
| Best Engineered Album | Mass Country – AKA, Engineered by Robin Kohl & Itu |
| Best Dance Album | Asante – Mörda |
| Best African Adult Contemporary | Usiba Lwe Gazi – Nathi |
| Best Adult Contemporary Album | Dark Secrets – Louise Carver |
| Best Afro-Pop Album | Isibuko – Sjava |
| Best Alternative Album | On The Romance of Being – Desire Marea |
| Best Amapiano Album | KOA II Part 1 – Kabza De Small |
| Best Classical/Instrumental Album | Fire Beast – Vox Chamber Choir & Franco Prinsloo |
| Best Collaboration | AKA feat Nasty C – Lemons (Lemonade) |
| Best Hip-Hop Album | This Is Religion – MashBeatz |
| Best Jazz Album | The Spirit of Ntu – Nduduzo Makhathini |
| Best Kwaito Album | Speak N Vrostaan – Kwesta & Kabza De Small |
| Best Maskandi Album | Umqhele neThawula – Khuzani |
| Best Pop Album | Seasons – Lloyiso |
| Best Produced Album | KOA II Part 1 – Kabza De Small, Produced by Da Muziqal Chef, Mdu aka TRP, Stakev,DJ Maphorisa, Felo Le Tee |
| Best Produced Music Video | Elaine – Shine, Directed by Jesse Ray Diamond, Produced by Shayna Gianelli |
| Best R&B/Soul Album | But Could The Moments in Between – Manana |
| Best Reggae Album | Unleashed – Blakka Yut |
| Best Rock Album | Kanniedood – Francois van Coke |
| Best Traditional Faith Album | The Overflow Gcwala Kimi – Dumi Mkokstad |
| Best Contemporary Faith Album | Lavish Worship – Ntokozo Mbambo |
| Beste Kontemporere Musiek Album | Toe Roep Ek Jou Naam – Jan Blohm & Ryno Velvet |
| Best Traditional Album | African Queen 2.0 – Makhadzi |
| Beste Pop Album | Jona – Bernice West |
| Remix of the Year | Mörda & Yallunder – Ndinovalo |
| Rest of Africa awardSounds of Peace – Moreira | Sounds of Peace – Moreira Chonguiç |
| Best Gqom Album | Meeting With The King – DJ LAG |
| Best African Indigenous faith Album | Emmanuel ( Farewell to Phodiso Joel Kgaudi) – JTG Gospel Choir |
| SAMRO Highest AirplayComposer Award | SETE (feat. Young Stunna & Blxckie) |
| CAPASSO Most StreamedSong Award | SETE (feat. Young Stunna & Blxckie) |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Mandoza (posthumous), Ihhashi Elimhlophe, Gloria Bosman(posthumous) and Pops Mohamed. |
| International Achievement | Wouter Kellerman, Zakes Bantwini and Nomcebo Zikode. |