SAMA 2024: A Star-Studded Celebration of South Africa’s Best in Music

The 30th Annual South African Music Awards (SAMAs) lit up the Gallagher Convention Centre this past Saturday, honouring the finest talents across genres. The night was filled with emotional speeches, jaw-dropping performances, and a celebration of South Africa’s most influential artists.

Tyla stole the show with three wins, securing Best Pop Album, Ukhozi FM Female Artist of the Year, and Santam Newcomer of the Year. With her signature style and powerful vocals, Tyla’s sweep underscored her skyrocketing success in South Africa and beyond.

Meanwhile, the Amapiano world rejoiced as Kabza De Small and Mthunzi snagged both Best Amapiano Album and the coveted Sampra Album of the Year for their chart-topping project, Isimo.

Afro-pop star Lwah Ndlunkulu beamed as she accepted her awards for Best Afro-Pop Album with Imizwa and Record of the Year for her hit collaboration Paris with Mthandeni. “Winning these awards is a dream come true,” she shared. “Imizwa and Paris are both very important to me, and I am extremely grateful to my fans, team, and the SAMAs for believing in my music.”

Here’s a roundup of the 2024 SAMA winners:

• Best Adult Contemporary Album: Drakensberg Boys Choir – Stimela
• Ikwekwezi FM Best African Adult Contemporary Album: Brenda Mtambo – Sane
• Best Afro-pop Album: Lwah Ndlunkulu – Imizwa
• Best Alternative Album: I’m With the Singer – I’m With the Singer
• Motsweding FM Best Amapiano Album: Kabza De Small and Mthunzi – Isimo
• Best Classical/Instrumental Album: Fanie Dick – End of the Beginning
• Best Collaboration: Dlala Thukzin, Sykes and Zaba – iPlan
• Best Dance Album: Dlala Thukzin – Permanent Music 3
• Best Engineered Album: The Soil – Reimagined
• Best Gqom Album: QueDj – We Don’t Play the Same Gqom
• Best Hip Hop Album: Priddy Ugly – Dust
• Best Jazz Album: Steve Dyer – Enhlizweni: Song From My Heartland
• Best Kwaito Album: Sykes – Most Wanted
• Best Maskandi Album: uGatsheni – Uyihlo noNyoko
• Best Pop Album: Tyla – Tyla
• Best Produced Album: David Watkyns – No Other Love
• Best Produced Music Video: Kamo Mphela – Dalie (Director: Kudzi)
• Best R&B/Soul Album: Lordkez – Testament
• Best Reggae Album: Skeleton Blazer – Give Praises
• Best Rock Album: Fokofpolisiekar – Dans Deur Die Donker
• Best Traditional Faith Music Album: Omega Khunou – Mo Roriseng
• Best Traditional Music Album: Soul Brothers – Hamba Naye
• Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album: Elandré – Estetika
• Beste Pop: Die Piesangskille – Almal Gly
• Remix of the Year: Weekend Special (Jnr SA remix) – Jnr SA
• Rest of Africa: Edgar Muzah (Zimbabwe) – Son of a Tribe (Royalty Edition)
• Best African Indigenous Faith Album: Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Soothe My Soul: Songs From Our South African Church
• Best Contemporary Faith Album: Xolly Mncwango – Unusual
• Lesedi FM Male Artist of the Year: uGatsheni – Uyihlo noNyoko
• Ukhozi FM Female Artist of the Year: Tyla – Tyla
• Radio 2000 Duo/Group of the Year: Kabza De Small and Mthunzi – Isimo
• Santam Newcomer of the Year: Tyla – Tyla
• Sampra Album of the Year: Kabza De Small and Mthunzi – Isimo

The SAMAs celebrated not just artists but the diversity and depth of South African music, reminding fans of the transformative power of sound. Congratulations to all the winners.

Main Image: SA Hip Hop Mag

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