The list of SAMA23 nominees is dominated by new artists, proving that youthful exuberance sometimes trumps experience. These new artists released their debut or second projects in the last year.
The nominees were announced at the Destiny Hotel in Kempton Park. Nhlanhla Sibisi, RiSA CEO congratulated the artists. “This is the year newcomers take most of the limelight undoubtedly. It is truly encouraging to see so many young and new artists dominate the list. It can only bode well for the industry. The future is bright and we couldn’t be happier for them.”
Rap maestro, Nasty C leads the SAMA23 pack with an impressive six nominations. His Bad Hair Extensions album earned him nods for Best Newcomer of the Year, Best Male Artist of the Year, Best Album of the Year and Best Rap Album. To top his SAMA23 honours, his videos Don’t Do It and Good Girls are in the running for Best Music Video of the Year.
Hot on the rappers heels is another hip hop artist, Kwesta with five nominations, while songstress, Amanda Black bagged four.
Durban’s queen of Gqom, Babes Wodumo, finds herself in the league of multiple nominations with three nods. Keeping her company are the likes of Idols SA 2013 winner Musa, DJ Ms Pru; young Afro-soul duo Soul Kulture; veteran vocalist Thandiswa Mazwai; dance pair Black Motion; gospel giant Dr Tumi; and the soulful trio The Soil.
In the much sought after Best Newcomer of the year category Nasty C (Bad Hair Extensions) will fight it out with Afro-Soul duo Soul Kulture (Ngeliny’ilanga); Durban’s, Babes Wodumo (Gqom Queen Vol.1); house and pop musician Sketchy Bongo and Idols SA finalist Amanda Black (Amazulu).
The Best Duo/Group of the year will be a battle between The Soil (The Soil); Jaziel Brothers (Jaziel Brothers); Soul Kulture (Ngeliny’ilanga); The Parlotones (Trinkets Relics and Heirlooms); and Black Motion (Ya Badimo).
The Female Artist of the year category , vocal heavyweight Kelly Khumalo (My Truth) takes on Thandiswa (Belede); Lebo Sekgobela (Restored); Babes Wodumo (Gqom Vol.1); and Amanda Black (Amazulu).
While the Male Artist of the year category will be a duel between Dr Tumi (Heart of A King); Kwesta (Dakar II); Musa (Mr Serious); NastyC (Bad Hair Extensions); and Nathi (Umbulelo Wam).
Album of the year nominees comprise of multiple-genres that will be battling it out, it will see Kwesta (Dakar II) compete with Black Motion (Ya Badimo); Amanda Black (Amazulu); Nasty C (Bad Hair Extensions); and Thandiswa (Belede).
The star studded event will take place in Sun City resort, North West, on 27 May 2017. For a comprehensive nominations list, visit: https://samusicawards.co.za/
Picture credit: Music in Africa
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