It’s awards season. As the year draws to an end in a few months, it’s that time in the calendar where artists are taking stock of the musical year so far, gracefully confirming their accolades and weighing up the palpable influence they’ve had on fans across the world. On the continent, a number of our premiere award shows are returning for a new season with the Headies only days away from its first-ever broadcast in Atlanta.

Ahead of this, the South African Music Awards were held last weekend to rave reviews from music lovers across the continent. Hosted by the RiSA, the annual event is celebrated to honour the country’s finest music talent over two days in key categories, as they battle for the South African industry’s highest honour.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by South African Music Awards (@thesamas_)

To this end, we have highlighted the winners in the major categories announced last weekend. Here’s a list of nominees and winners below:

Album of the Year

‘Musique’ – Chymamusique (Winner)

‘Elephant in The Room’ – Watershed

‘Franco Prinsloo: Kruis Van Liefda’ – Franco Prinsloo and Vox Chamber Choir

‘Pangaea’ – Wouter Kellerman and David Arkenstone

‘Wangikhulisa uMama’ – Shwi Nomtekhala

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by South African Music Awards (@thesamas_)

Best Hip-Hop Album

‘B4NOW’ – Blxckie (Winner)

‘Father of Zen’ – Kid X

‘Pheli Makaveli’ – 25K

‘Today’s Tragedy, Tomorrow’s Memory: Mixtape’ – A-Reece

‘Logan’ – Emtee

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by South African Music Awards (@thesamas_)

Best Female Artist of the Year

‘Platinumb Heart Open’ – Msaki (Winner)

‘African Bird’ – Khanyisile Mthetwa

‘Nkulunkulu’ – Kamo Mphela

‘Trailblazer’ – Reign Afrika

‘Trouble in Paradise’ – Shekhinah

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by South African Music Awards (@thesamas_)

Best Duo or Group of the Year

‘Ama Roto Vol.2’ – Reece Madlisa and Zuma

‘Elephant in The Room’ – Watershed

Franco Prinsloo: Kruis Van Liefda – Franco Prinsloo and Vox Chamber Choir

‘Pangaea’ – Wouter Kellerman and David Arkenstone

‘Wangikhulisa uMama’ – Shwi Nomtekhala

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by South African Music Awards (@thesamas_)

Best Amapiano Album

‘Notumato’ – Young Stunna

‘Nkulunkulu’ – Kamo Mphela

‘Auti eSharp’ – Mas Musiq

‘Kwa Kwa’ – Mellow and Sleazy

‘President Ya Strata’ – Focalistic

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by South African Music Awards (@thesamas_)

Best Reggae Album

‘Trailblazer’ – Reign Afrika

‘He Crowned I Emperor’ – Skeleton Blazer

‘Hard To Believe’ – Ras Canly

‘The Shift’ – Botanist Mr Lamington

‘Ngatanngwe’ – Red I Scorch

Best R&B/Soul Album

‘It’s All You’ – Brian Temba

‘Real Talk’ – P. Postman

‘The Arrival’ – Melleng

‘Sour Milk’ – Joda Kgosi

‘It Is What It Is’ – Mikhale Jones

Best Pop Album

‘Trouble in Paradise’ – Shekhinah

‘Souvenirs’ – Jeremy Loop

‘Motion’ – Tresor

‘A Journal’ – Bouj

‘Don’t Let Go’ – Jacky Carpede

International Achievement Award

Black Coffee

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by South African Music Awards (@thesamas_)

Rest of Africa Award

‘If Orange Was A Place’ – Tems (Nigeria)

‘Son of A Tribe’ – Edgar Muzah (Zimbabwe)

‘Karabo’ – Malome Vector (Lesotho)

‘Boyfriend’ – Ckay ( Nigeria)

‘Love & Isolation’ – Tay Iwar ( Nigeria)

Best Dance Album

‘Musique’ – Chymamusique

‘Muzika’ – Miza

‘Ghetto King’ – Zakes Bantwini

‘When House Was House’ – Mobi Dixon

‘African Electronic Dance Music’ – Sun-El Musician

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by South African Music Awards (@thesamas_)

Best Selling Artist

‘Notumato’ – Young Stunna

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by South African Music Awards (@thesamas_)

Read a full breakdown of the winners here.

Featured image credits/NATIVE

ICYMI: Four Takeaways From The 2022 Headies Nominations