Black Motion and Kelvin Momo shine at Sama 2025 with multiple nominations
Music duo Black Motion's album "The Cradle Of Art" has earned four nominations at this year's South African Music Awards.
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Black Motion and Kelvin Momo are the frontrunners in this year's South African Music Awards (Sama31), securing multiple nominations each.
Black Motion received four nominations: Best Dance Album for "The Cradle Of Art", Best Collaboration "Takala", Best Produced Album, and Best Engineered Album.
Kelvin Momo's nods include two for Best Amapiano Album for his albums "Sewe" and "Ntsako", and one for Best Collaboration "Waze Wamuhle".
Sjava, who already has a cabinet full of awards, is nominated for Best Afro Pop Album for “Isibuko” (Deluxe) and “Inkanyezi” (Live) and Best Engineered Album.
Rapper Blxckie has received two nominations for Best Hip Hop Album and Best Produced Music Video. Musical icon Thandiswa Mazwai has been nominated for two awards for her album “Sankofa”, Best Engineered Album and Best African Adult Contemporary Album.
The full list of nominees across 25 categories was unveiled on Thursday by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA). The remaining Top Five categories will be revealed in September.
The awards ceremony itself will take place in November 2025 in a hybrid format, combining a live event with a virtual broadcast.
“The SAMAs are more than an awards show; they are our annual love letter to the industry.
"This evolved format allows us to fully embrace our theme: Less Noise. More Music, and usher in a bold, enterprising era where digital innovation meets live spectacle,” explained Unati Gwija, SAMA Spokesperson.
“The hybrid experience is not about immersion; it’s about amplification. It extends the SAMA stage beyond the physical venue, inviting fans, creators, and partners from every corner of the world to join in real time, without losing the intimacy and magic of being in the room.”
Full list of nominations
Best Adult Contemporary Album
"uKhisimusi" - An African Christmas Just 6
"Seven" Melanie Scholtz
"Room For Everyone" Tony Drake Anthony
"Nonyezi" Nue Sam
"Look At You Now" The Morning After
Best African Adult Contemporary Album
"UMI" Zamajobe
"Sankofa" Thandiswa Mazwai
"Nomthandazo" Zoe Modiga
"Isibusiso Sami" Ndu Shezi
"Indumiso YabeNguni" Mthuthu
Best Afro Pop Album
"Twenty Four" Nomfundo Moh
"Malik" Malik
"Isibuko (Deluxe)" Sjava
"Inkanyezi (Live)" Sjava
"Collaboration With Friends" Dalom Kids
Best Alternative Album
"Unyazi" Yoav & Jabulile Majola
"Perspective: Black" Zādok
"Hindsight 2020" Francis Soal
"Emlotheni" Th&o.
"Berge" Spoegwolf
Best Amapiano Album
"Your Piano Is Not My Piano" Vigro Deep
"Sewe" Kelvin Momo
"Ntsako" Kelvin Momo Thato
"Midnight in Sunnyside 3" Mellow & Sleazy
"Inja Ye Game" Zee Nxumalo
Best Classical/Instrumental Album
"In the morning" John Lundun
"By Alle Skone Dinge" Chris Vale, Eugene Joubert &Franco Prinsloo, Marlize Hattingh
"Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper" Derek Gripper
"A Season in Paradise" Vox Chamber Choir & FrancoPrinsloo
"Awake for 22 Hours" Orecchiette
Best Collaboration
"Waze Wamuhle" Kelvin Momo
"Takala" Black Motion
"Ematshwaleni" Kususa
"Stay With Me" Matt Davies
"Amalanga" Mas Musiq, Lawd Weezy & DJMaphorisa ft TO Starquality, Chley and Kabza De Small
Best Dance Album
"The Cradle Of Art" Black Motion
"Finally Famous Too" Dlala Thukzin
"Cr4zy!!.. " MÖRDA
"Dreaming" Shimza A
"Caiiro" Caiiro
Best Engineered Album
"The Cradle Of Art" Black Motion
"Sankofa" Thandiswa Mazwai
"Isibuko (Deluxe)" Sjava
"Reawakening" Keenan Meyer
"Feathers & Stone" Jeremy Loops
Best Gqom Album
"Tronics Land 3" Mr Thela
"The Rebellion" DJ Lag
"Play At Your Own Risk" Goldmax
"Nande 3.0" DJ Sandiso
"Next Level" Lelowhatsgood
Best Hip Hop Album
"See U Soon Delux" Blxckie
"Red October: Induction" Tony Dayimane
"Pray 4 Pitori" Loatinover Pounds
"Audio 2D; Dear Darkie" Sizwe Alakine
"Loyal To The Plug: The Life & Times ofDon Kilograms" 25K
Best Jazz Album
"uNomkhubulwane" Nduduzo Makhathini
"Terra Solus" Nick Ford
"Ndilapha" Nomfundo Xaluva
"Hope Dies Last" Peter Auret
"Apho Kungenje" Ncesh Nonxishi
Best Maskandi Album
"Ngathi Nguye" Umafikizolo
"iPolotiki" Phuzekhemisi
"Angidlali Nezingane" Khuzani
"Alingeni" Ntencane
"Amathambo Kagogo" Imithente
Best Produced Album
"UMI" Zamajobe
"The Cradle Of Art" Black Motion
"Sankofa" Thandiswa Mazwai
"Reprise on 2nd Avenue" Qü
"iLadi" Linda Sikhakhane
Best Produced Music Video
"Umbuzo" Soa Mattrix
"Gucci" MaWhoo Mthandeni SK
"Tshwala Bam (Remix)" TitoM and Yuppe
"South" Blxckie
"Risk" Shekhinah
Best R&B/Soul Album
"Too Many Promises" Mikhalé Jones
"Stone Cold Heart" Elaine
"On Air" Filah Lah Lah
"It's Clear To See" Clxrity
"Heartbreak Hotel (deluxe)" The Big Hash
Best Reggae Album
"Mekwei" Dread Lloyd
"The Rise" Anela Jahmena
"Flaws in Frame" Dimahr
"After All" LUWE DA LION
"Area Code" Botanist Mr Lamington
Best Rock Album
"Vir Mekaar" Bloumoord
"These Blues Might Get You Too" MaxX & Love
"The World We Know" Prime Circle
"Old Wounds" The Man Motels
"Look At You Now "The Morning After
Best Traditional Faith Music Album
"Uyinqaba Yam (Jehovah Nissi)" Betusile
"The Journey (Part 1)" Tebs David
"The Full Circle Revival" Malusi Mbokazi
"Rofhiwa Dzina" Rofhiwa Manyaga
"According to Grace, A One Man Show" Ayanda Ntanzi
Best Traditional Music Album
"O moleele" Keitumetse Mangate Production
"Mmakgodu" MmaAusi
"Miracle Child (Deluxe)" Makhadzi Entertainment
"Kwanomthandazo" Sabu Jiyana
"Bakokota (EP)" Pleasure Tsa Manyalo
Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album
"Vaalsand" Pietman Geldenhuys
"Niemandsland" Ampie
"Eindbestemming" Spoegwolf
"Land & Sand" Neil Sandilands
"Geraamtes" Majo
Remix of the Year
"Tshwala Bam" TitoM
"Skuta Baba" Woodblock DJs
"Mngani" Jnr SA
"Iza Mawala" Tycoon
"Hlala" Mpho.Wav
Rest of Africa Award (SOUTH AFRICANSEXCLUDED)
"The Year I Turned 21" Ayra Starr
"The Party & After Party" Bensoul
"Morayo" Wizkid
"Born In The Wild" Tems
"adedamola" Fireboy DML
Best African Indigenous Faith Album
"Re Kgoeletsa Magodimong" Wacha Mkhukhu Wachumlilo
"Morena Re Ya Leboga" JTG Gospel Choir
"Busa Jeso" House Of Mercy
"Ikutana" Barongoa Ba Morena
"Nkapese Ka Maatla" Di Bruin Gospel Projects
Best Contemporary Faith Music Album
"Crosspower Experience 4" Jabu Hlongwane
"The Glory" Takie Ndou
"Heavenly Psalms Level 2" (Live at Goshen City Church 2023) SbuNoah
"Lindiwe" Nontokozo Mkhize
"Living Word" Mmangaliso
IOL