The candidates for the 28th annual South African Music Awards (Samas) were announced on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at The Garden Venue Boutique Hotel in Randburg.
The nominees were announced in over 30 categories, with Zakes Bantwini leading the pack with 7 nominations.
RiSA is hosting the event, which is a premier music showcase. This yearly event honors the country’s best music talent in a variety of categories over the course of two days, as they compete for the South African music industry’s greatest honor — a statuette at the South African Music Awards.
Here is the full list of 2022 nominees:
Female Artist of the Year
Msaki – Platinumb Heart Open
Khanyisile Mthethwa – African Bird
Kamo Mphela – Nkulunkulu
Reign Afrika – Trailblazer
Shekhinah – Trouble in Paradise
Male Artist of the Year
Sun-El Musician – African Electronic Dance album
Zakes Bantwini – Ghetto King
Brian Temba – It’s all You
Chymamusique – Musique
Mobi Dixon – When House Was House
Newcomer of the Year
Thapelo Lekoane – Tapestry
Khanyisile Mthethwa – African Bird
25k -Pheli Makaveli
Ncebakazi Psomi – The 34th Psalm
Botanist Mr Lemington – The Shift
Duo or Group of the Year
Reece Madlisa & Zuma – Ama Roto Vol. 2
Watershed – Elephant in the Room
Franco Princeloo & Vox choir choir – Franco Princeloo: Kruis Van Liefde
Wouter Kellerman & David Arkenstone –Pangea
Shwi Nomtekhala – Wangikhulisa Umama
Best Rock Album
Steve Louw – Headlights Dream
Springbok Nude Girls – Partypocalypse
Timm Parr – Revolution
Deity’s Muse – Ennui
Albert Frost – Sacred Sound
Best Pop Album
Juan Boucher – Hier Waar Ek Nou Is
Janie Bay – Prisma
Elandre – Rugsak
Posduif – Niks Vergelyk
Rita Li – Roekeloos
Best Kwaito Album
Sukiri Papa – Don’t Lose Focus
Simply Eugene – Let Dogs Lie Low
ShishaBoy – Kwaito Pallet
Reece Madlisa & Zuma – Ama Roto Vol. 2
King Razo – Trip to Jozi
Best Collaboration
Karyendasoul, and Zakes Bantwini ft. Nana Atta – Imali
Zakes Bantwini & Kasango – Osama
Njelic & Boohle feat. De Mthuda, Da Muziqual Chef – Wamuhle
Makhadzi ft. Joe Deunger – Zwivhuya
Msaki Ft. Da Capo – No Rainbow
Best Contemporary Faith Album
Thabelo – My Heart to Him
Kingdmusic – Denga
Pulane Maphari – Sacrificial Worship (Live)
Lauren Cullen – Find Me Singing
Ncebakazi Psomi – The 34th Psalm
Best Dance Album
Miza – Muzika
Zakes Bantwini – Ghetto King
Chymamusique – Musique
Mobi Dixon – When House Was House
Sun-El Musician – African Electronic Dance album
Best Afro Pop Album
Mnqobi Yazo –iStiff
Bonga Kwana – New Faces to Old Problems
Cici – Sukulila
Aubery Qwana – Amalobolo
Nomfundoh Moh – Amagama
Best Amapiano Album
Kamo Mphela – Nkulunkulu
Mas MusiQ – Auti’e Sharp
Mellow & Sleazy – Kwa Kwa
Young Stunna – Nomtumato
Focalistic – President Ya Straata
Best Hip Hop Album
Kid X – Father of Zen
25k – Pheli Makaveli
A-Reece – Today’s Tragedy, Tomorrow’s Memory: Mixtape
Emtee – Logan
Blxcie – B4now
Best Maskandi Album
Makhamnandi – Ziyashisa
Shwi Nimtekhala – Wangikgulisa Umama
Thokozani Langa – Idayimani
Udumakahle – Phakati Komhlane
Mzukulu – Ivila Laselawini
Best Reggae Album
Skeleton Blazer – He Crowned I Emperor
Reign Afrika – Trailblazer
Ras Canly – Hard to Believe
Botanist Mr Lemington – The Shift
Red I Scorch – Ngatanngwe
Best African Contemporary Album
The One Who Sings – Theta Mama
Ntando – Camagu
Joe Nina – 2020
Nomfusi – The Red Stoep
Mandisi Dyantyis – Cwaka
Best African Indigenous Faith Music Album
Isaac & The Might Messengers – Ba Bosiu
JTG Gospel Choir – Re Kopa Ge Wena Ramasedi
Nuz Voices of Joy – Similapha Nkosi
The Harmony Singers Artist Development – Ore Etele Mohloeki
ZionIskhalanga Academy – Swi Lava Yeso
Best Alternative Album
mDaniel Baron – City of God & The Jungle Below
Lo-Ghost – Night Speak
Alice Phoebe Lou – Glow
Anna Wolf – Romance Was Born
Alice Phoebe Lou – Child’s Play
Best Classical/Instrumental Album
Wouter Kellerman & David Arkenstone –Pangea
Khanyisile Mthethwa – African Bird
Charl Du Plessis Trio – It Takes Three
Scheppel – Afrikaans
Franco Princeloo & Vox choir choir – Franco Princeloo: Kruis Van Liefde
Best Adult Contemporary Album
Thapelo Lekoane – Tapestry
Pat Mccay – Where The Light Gets In
Watershed – Elephant In The Room
Jacob Swann – Brother
Msaki – Platinumb Heart Open
Best Engineered Album of the Year
Greg Abrahams Mike Zietsman & Vincent Espi – Candid by Moonga K
Zakes Bantwini – Ghetto King by Zakes Bantwini
Sibabalwe Andile Fiphaza – Pheli Makaveli by 25k
Daniel Barron and Darryn Muller – City of God & The Jungle Below by Daniel Baron
Peter Auret – It Takes Three by Charl Dy Plessis Trio
Album Of The Year
Sun-El Musician – African Electronic Dance album
Zakes Bantwini – Ghetto King
Brian Temba – It’s all You
Chymamusique – Musique
Mobi Dixon – When House Was House
Best Gqom
Bello No Gallo – Khula
Dladla Thukuzin – Summer Banger
T-Man – Best of the Best
Slenda Da Dancing DJ – The Journey
Dladla Thukuzin – Umshunqo Mshunqisi
Best Traditional Faith Music Album
Peleng March – Heaven’s Scroll
Paul K – In the Beginning
Jumbo – Vela Nkosi
Takie Ndou – The Great Revival
Zaza – Shrubs of Chronicle (Live)
Best Traditional Album
Mkhanyakude – Dlozified
Vha Venda Cultural Group – Dziya Fhirtana
Dr Mercy Masakona Madzivhandla – Tshihwilili
Tau Sebata – Mathotse
Kupwerf – Hantam Kersfees
Beste Kontemporere Musiek Album
Jan Jan Jan – All Die Ysters
Neil Sandilands – Sangoma Sandilands & Jou Pa Se Posse Maanskyn
Jennifer Zamudio – Twintigeenentwintig
Die Huewels Fantasties – Volume
Jodi Jantjies – Woorde
Best Produced Album
Bokang & Ndumuso – Karabo by Malome Vector
Neo Muyanga & Asanda – Platinumb Heart by Msaki
Howard Bradley – Destination Unknown by Vaughn Prangley
Sean Kenan Leroy & Arthur – Theta Mama by The One Who Sings
Jacques Du Plessis High – A World At Suicide By Kahn Morbee
Best Produced Music Video
Skeleton Blazer – He Crowned I Emperor
Ted Magerman – Playback by K.O
Dale Fortune – Mamezala by Mafikizolo FT. Simmy
Mabi Ntuli & Shona – When House Was House By Mobi Dixon FT. Mariechan & Jnr SA
Mninizo Sitho & Nhlanhla – Finessin by AKA
Remix Of The Year
Manyelo Dafro, Bassekou Kouyate & Da Capo – Ladon Manyelo – Dafro FT. Bassekou Kouyate
Lira & DJ Maphorisa – Feel Good By Lira
Sun-El Musician, Azana & Da Capo – Uhuru by Sun-El Musician & Azana
Da Capo – Mama by Josiah De Disciple & Boohle
DJ Cleo – Gcina Impilo Yam by Buce Radebe
Rest Of Africa Award
Edgar Muzah – Son of a Tribe
Malome Vector – Karabo
Ckay – Boyfriend
Tems – If Orange Was A Place
Tay Iwar – Love & Isolation
Best Pop Album
Jeremy Loops – Souvenirs
Tresor – Motion
Shekhinah – Trouble In Paradise
Bonj – A Journal
Jacky Carpede – Don’t Let Go
The next categories are vote-based; hence, fans are expected to vote their faves.
RECORD OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
Zakes Bantwini and Kasango – Osama
Shekhinah – Questions
Mi Casa – Mamela
DJ Maphorisa and Tyler ICU featuring Daliwonga, Sir Trill and Kabza De Small – Banyana
Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa featuring Ami Faku – Abalele
Young Stunna featuring Kabza De Small – Adiwele
Mellow & Sleazy and Felo Le Tee featuring DJ Maphorisa, Madumane and Young Stunna – Bopha
Musa Keys featuring Sir Trill and Nobantu Vilakazi – Vula Mlomo
Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa featuring Ami Faku – Asibe Happy
De Mthuda featuring De Muziqal Chef and Sir Trill – John Wick
Matthew Mole – I’m With You
Busta 929 and Mpura featuring Zuma, Mr JazziQ, Lady Du and Reece Madlisa – Umsebenzi Wethu
Nasty C featuring Ari Lennox – Black And White
DJ Maphorisa and Tyler ICU featuring Mpura, Daliwonga and Visca – Izolo
Nomfundo Moh featuring Sha Sha and Ami Faku – Phakade Lami
De Mthuda featuring Sino Msolo and Da Muziqal Chef – Jola
Master KG and David Guetta featuring Akon – Shine Your Light
Jeremy Loops – Postcards
Kelly Khumalo featuring Mondli Ngcobo – Ngathwala Ngawe
Elaine – Right Now
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
Kwiish SA featuring MalumNator and De Mthuda – LiYoshona
DJ Maphorisa and Tyler ICU featuring Mpura, Daliwonga and Visca – Izolo
Blaq Diamond – Summer Yo Muthi
Nomfundo Moh featuring Sha Sha and Ami Faku – Phakade Lami
Kamo Mphela – Nkulunkulu
De Mthuda featuring Sino Msolo and Da Muziqal Chef – Jola
DJ Zinhle featuring Lloyiso – Indlovu
ThackzinDJ, Tee Jay, and Sir Trill featuring Dlala Thukzin, Nkosazana Daughter, Rascoe Kaos, Moscow and Mpura – Yini Sdakwa
Intaba Yase Dubai – S’bali
Mi Casa – Mamela
De Mthuda featuring Sir Trill and Da Muziqal Chef – John Wick
Mr JazziQ, Kabza De Small and Lady u featuring Boohle – Woza
DJ Stokie featuring Kabza De Small, Masterpiece YVK and Madumane – Superman
Tyla featuring Kooldrink – Getting Late
Big Zulu featuring Lwa Ndlunkulu – Umuzi eSandton
Khuli Chana featuring Tyler ICU, Stino Le Thwenny and Lady Du – Buyile
Makhadzi featuring Prince Benza – Ghanama
Big Zulu featuring Mduduzu – Inhlupheko
YOUNOTUS and Mi Casa – Chucks
Busta 929 featuring Mzu M – Mmampula
SAMPRA ARTIST OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
Bello no Gallo
Haksul MUZIQ
Fanie Dick
AfroToniQ
Zion Agreement
A-Reece
Musa Keys
Msaki
Jennifer Zamudio
Millie Ngwalangwala
Rodger KB
Brandon Dhludhlu
HunTer Leite
NLite
Emtee
PressCee
Cece Vee
Young Stunna
Lady X
Makhadzi
