The 2019 South African Music awards began on Friday, with Joyous Celebration winning best selling artist and best selling DVD. The awards’ theme, 25toLife, celebrated its 25-year history. Six presenters were chosen for the awards, each representing a different era of South African music.
Sjava won best Afro pop album and the album of the year. Sho Madjozi took home the female artist of the year and newcomer of the year awards.
Black Motion won for best dance album and the best group/duo of the year, while Nasty C won best hip hop album and best produced album of the year for Strings And Bling.
The best kwaito/gqom/amapiano award went to Spikiri for his King Don Father album, while Tresor won best pop album.
Black Coffee led the nominations, but only won male artist of the year award and best collaboration award for his song Drive.
Stand-out performances last night were a throwback segment with memorable tracks performed by legendary bands Bongo Maffin and Trompies, along with other kwaito artists.
Gospel legend Rebecca Malope joined SAMA25 nominee Ntokozo Mbambo for a rousing gospel segment.
The grand finalé featured the best of local music with a medley by nominees Kelly Khumalo, Sho Madjozi, DJ Sumbody, Dladla Mshunqisi and Mobi Dixon.
This is the complete list of winners on Night 1 of SAMA25:
BEST ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
Ard Matthews – Impossible Machines
BEST AFRICAN ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
Nathi- Iphupha Labantu
BEST ALTERNATIVE ALBUM
Nakhane – You Will Not Die
BEST R&B/SOUL ALBUM
Zonke – L.O.V.E
BEST REGGAE ALBUM
Black Dillinger – Mavara is King
BEST CONTEMPORARY FAITH MUSIC ALBUM
We Will Worship – Seasons Volume 1
BESTE KONTEMPORÊRE MUSIEK ALBUM
Coenie de Villiers – Pure Coenie
BEST JAZZ ALBUM
Bokani Dyer Trio – Neo Native
REST OF AFRICA AWARD
Diamond Platnumz – A Boy from Tandale
BEST LIVE AUDIOVISUAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Cassper Nyovest – Fill up Orlando Stadium – Robin Kohl
BEST COLLABORATION
Black Coffee feat. David Guetta and Delilah Montagu – Drive
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Jeremy Loops – Gold by Robert Smith
BEST PRODUCED ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Nasty C – Strings and Bling by Nsikayesizwe David Junior Ngcobo, Sipho Dlamini and Collin Gayle
BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Vusi Nova – Manyan-nyan by Robin Walsh
REMIX OF THE YEAR
Zakwe – Sebentin by Cassper Nyovest, HHP, Blaklez, Kwesta and Musiholiq
BEST SELLING DVD
Joyous Celebration 22 All for You
BEST SELLING ARTIST
Joyous Celebration – Umoya Kulendawo
SAMRO/CAPASSO HIGHEST AIRPLAY COMPOSER’S AWARD
Lady Zamar -Collide
The final night of the ceremony was a star-studded event that saw every deserving artist receive recognition for their artistic work.
COMPLETE SAMA NIGHT 2 WINNERS’ LIST
This is the complete list of winners from Night 2 of the awards ceremony:
BEST AFRO POP ALBUM
Sjava — Umqhele
BEST KWAITO / GQOM / AMAPIANO ALBUM
Spikiri — King Don Father
BEST AFRICAN INDIGENOUS FAITH MUSIC ALBUM
Ithimba Le Africa — Sesiphunyukile
BEST TRADITIONAL FAITH MUSIC ALBUM
Spirit of Praise — Spirit of Praise Vol 7
SAMPRA HIGHEST AIRPLAY OF THE YEAR
Lady Zamar — Collide
SAMRO/CAPASSO BEST-SELLING DIGITAL ARTIST
Lindelani Mkhize, Mnqobi Nxumalo, Siphiwe Ngcobo — Thobeka Mahlangu
BEST HIP-HOP ALBUM
Nasty C — Strings N Bling
BEST ROCK ALBUM
Dan Patlansky — Perfection Kills
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
TKZEE
Mango Groove
HHP
BESTE POP ALBUM
Snotkop — Sous
BEST POP ALBUM
Tresor — Nostalgia
BEST DANCE ALBUM
Black Motion — Moya Wa Taola
BEST MASKANDI ALBUM
Sgwebo Sentambo — Yekani Umona
BEST TRADITIONAL ALBUM
Candy — Hupenyu Unenge Viri
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Sho Madjozi — Limpopo Champions League
DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Black Motion — Moya Wa Taola
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Sho Madjozi — Limpopo Champions League
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Black Coffee — Music is King
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Sjava — Umqhele
RECORD OF THE YEAR
Holly Rey — Deeper