Samas to light up Durban

TONIGHT, Mzansi’s musicians will gather at the Durban International Convention Centre for the 22nd South African Music Awards. And it will be war on the red carpet as Bonang Matheba covers the event for SABC1, while Minnie Dlamini will be there with presenter Katlego Maboe for E! Entertainment Africa.

Bonang, known as Queen B to her fans, said she was looking forward to bringing all the action to viewers before the main ceremony.

“It’s always an honour to be called upon to do what I’m most passionate about, which is entertaining,” said Bonang.

Bonang who will be joined by actor and model Lunga Shabalala and Pearl Modiadie on the red carpet said she would be dressed by international celebrity stylist Lawrence Roach, who has worked with a number of top Hollywood stars.

When asked what she would be wearing, she said: “As a red carpet host, the focus tends to shift from you and it always becomes about the people you’re interviewing. I always put my best fashion foot forward, of course.”

Choreographer, Somizi Mhlongo and 5FM radio host Thando Thabethe will occupy centre stage at the awards ceremony, providing lively commentary that taps into the excitement of South Africa’s top awards show.

Joining them from the #SAMA22 Amstel Green Room will be television personality Khanyi Mbau and Metro FM radio host Phat Joe.

The pair will conduct exclusive backstage interviews with all the winners as they step off stage, celebrating Mzansi’s musical innovators and trailblazers.

Dreamy Afro-soul newcomer Nathi, house music supremo Black Coffee, rising rappers Riky Rick and Emtee, and sultry songbird Zonke Dikana share the nominations spoils where they grabbed an impressive four nods each.

The full list of Sama nominees

Album of the Year

Francois van Coke – Francois van Coke

Emtee – Avery

Nathi – Buyelekhaya

Tresor – VII

Black Coffee – Pieces of Me

Duo or Group of the Year

Desmond & the Tutus – Enjoy Yourself

Witness the Funk – Finding Nomusa

Marcus Wyatt & the ZAR Jazz Orchestra – One Night in the Sun

Junior Taurus &Cotton Candy – Lady Zamar

Big Nuz – For the Fans

Female Artiste of the Year

Judith Sephuma – One Word

Zahara – Country Girl

Fifi Cooper – 20Fifi

Karen Zoid – Drown Out the Noise

Zonke – Work of Heart

Male Artiste of the Year

Nathi – Buyelekhaya

Black Coffee – Pieces of Me

Riky Rick – Family Values

Emtee – Avery

Francois van Coke – Francois van Coke

Newcomer of the Year

Riky Rick – Family Values

Emtee – Avery

Tresor – VII

Fifi Cooper – 20Fifi

Nathi – Buyelekhaya

Best Rock Album

Desmond & the Tutus – Enjoy Yourself

Francois van Coke – Francois van Coke

Shortstraw – Youthless

Karen Zoid – Drown Out the Noise

Saarkie – Reisiger

Best Pop Album

Tresor – VII

Lakota Silva – Pop: The Mix Tape

Loki Rothman – The Way Back

Can Skylark – Overdrive

Vincent Bones – Shaded Soul

Best Pop Album (Afrikaans)

Karlien van Jaarsveld – My Hartjie

Brendan Peyper – Stop, Wag, Bly Nog ’n Bietjie

Vaughan Gardiner – Sit Vanaand op Herhaal

Pierre Rossouw – In my Bloed

Suzanne – Vuurbestand

Best Adult Contemporary Album

Judith Sephuma – One Word

Watershed – Watch the Rain

Karen Zoid & Various – Republiek van Zoid Afrika Vol. 2

Kahn – Salt

Josie Field & Laurie Levine – Tigerlily

Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album

Elvis Blue – Êrens in die Middel van Nêrens

Andriëtte – Pêrel vir ’n Kroon

Neil Somers – Hierdie Hande

Bok van Blerk – Sing Afrikaner Sing

Stiaan Reynierse – Sonde

Best African Adult Album

Dizu Plaatjies & Friends – Ubuntu – The Common String

Kabomo – Sekusile

Thiwe – Soul Therapy

L’wei Netshivhale – Mudzimu washu

Jessica Mbangeni – Busisiwe – Tribute to the African Heroines

Best Alternative Album

Petite Noir – La Vie Est Belle/Life is Beautiful

Sannie Fox – Serpente Masjien

The Plastics – In Threes

Moonchild Sanelly – Rabulapha!

Die Heuwels Fantasties – Ja. Nee. Lekker (Deluxe)

 

Best R&B/Soul/Reggae Album

Nathi – Buyelekhaya

Zonke – Work of Heart

Olwethu – Imbewu

Zahara – Country Girl

The Muffinz – Do What You Love

 

Best Rap Album

Emtee – Avery

Kid X – 3 Quarter Pace

Da L.E.S – North God

Riky Rick – Family Values

Zakwe – Impande

Best Kwaito Album

Big Nuz – For the Fans

Dbn Nyts – Believe

Kabelo Mabalane – Immortal Vol. 3

Dj Bongz – Game Changer

Mzansi – North Coast Vibe

 

Best Dance Album

Black Coffee – Pieces of Me

Mi Casa – Home Sweet Home

Mobi Dixon – Tribal Soul Special Edition

DJ Merlon – Original Copy

Junior Taurus & Lady Zamar – Cotton Candy

 

Best Traditional Faith Music Album

TYGC Family – The Journey Begins

Worship House – Project 12 Praise Live

Worship House – True Worship 2015

Dumi Mkokstad – Ukhona Uthixo

Women in Praise – Various Artists

 

Best Contemporary Faith Music Album

Ntokozo Mbambo – Spirit and Life

Mark Counihan – To the Brave Ones

Mahalia Buchanan – Redeemed to Worship

24 Skies – Endless Anthem

Benjamin Dube – Sanctified in His Presence

 

Best Maskandi Album

Imithente – Ichakijana

Thokozani Langa – Khuzeka Mshana

Shwi no Mtekhala – Bazali Bami

Buselaphi – Gabi Gabi

Phuzekhemisi – Woze Durban

 

Best Jazz Album

Marcus Wyatt & the ZAR Jazz Orchestra – One Night in the Sun

Nduduzo Makhathini – Listening to the Ground

Benjamin Jephta Quintet – Homecoming

Amandla Freedom Ensemble – Bhekisiwe

Bokani Dyer – World Music

 

Best Classical and/or Instrumental Album

Wouter Kellerman – Love Language

Guy Buttery – Guy Buttery

Deep South – Heartland

Cape Consort – Christoph & Sebastian

KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra – Mintirho ya SJ KhosaOrchestra

 

Best Live Audiovisual Recording

Jimmy Dludlu – Live at Emperors Palace

Krone – Krone 2

Ntokozo Mbambo – Spirit and Life

Neyi & Omega – Friends in Praise

Benjamin Dube – Sanctified in His Presence

 

Best Collaboration

Dbn Nyts ft. Zinhle Ngidi & Trademark – Shumaya

Shekinah x Kyle Deutsch – Back to the Beach

AKA ft. Redsan, Burna Boy & Stoneboy – All Eyes on Me

Major League DJz ft. Cassper Nyovest, Okmalumkoolkat, Riky Rick & Carpo – Sylza Tsotsi

Khuli Chana ft. Patoranking – No Lie

 

Best Music Video of the Year

Jack Parow & Freshly Ground – Army of One

Riky Rick ft. Cassper Nyovest & Anatii – Fuseg

Al Bairre & PH Fat – Caviar Dreams

iFani – Ayadelela

Monark – Negatives Deluxe

 

Best Produced Album of the Year

Zahara – Country Girl

Mi Casa – Home Sweet Home

Sannie Fox – Serpente Masjien

Mark Counihan – To the Brave Ones

Zonke – Work of Heart

Best Engineered Album of the Year

Black Coffee – Pieces of Me

Brendan Peyper – Stop, Wag, Bly Nog ’n Bietjie

Zonke – Work of Heart

Mi Casa – Home Sweet Home

Marcus Wyatt & the ZAR Jazz Orchestra – One Night in the Sun

 

Best Remix of the Year

DJ Sliqe – Do Like I Do Remix

AKA – Baddest Remix

Mobi Dixon – My Sugar

Mobi Dixon – Never Let Me Go Remix

The Fraternity – Bheka Mina Ngedwa Amplified

 

Category winners to be announced at the awards ceremony:

Special Awards

International and Lifetime Achievement Awards

Best Selling Mobile Music Downloads

Best Selling Album

Best Selling DVD

Best Selling Mobile Music Download

Best Selling True-Tone

Best Selling Ring-Back Tone

Best Selling Full-Track Download

Sampra Award

Highest Airplay of the Year

– DailySun