It’s almost that time of the year again when the who’s who of the music industry gather for one of the biggest events on South Africa’s social calendar: the South African Music Awards (Samas). The nominees were announced at a swanky shindig at Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg on Thursday evening.
Media personality Pearl Modiadie was the host with the most, in a black dress with silver chains dangling on it.
Jabulani Hadebe, better known as Sjava, opened the night with an electrifying performance. He always sings his own praises and calls his clan names before his performances - an acknowledgement of his culture and its significance in his music.
Songstress Brenda Mtambo performed I Love You and the room became still, with all eyes on her as she belted out the melody.
This year the organisers withheld the names of nominees in the Top 5 categories: Male Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Duo/Group of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and Album of the Year, saying they would be revealed only in May.
Musicians leading the pack are Mi Casa, Simphiwe Dana and Mafikizolo, who each received three nods.
Dana’s album, Simphiwe, was nominated in the Best Live Audiovisual, Best Jazz Album and Best African Artist categories. Mafikizolo got nominations in the Best Afro Pop Album, Best Engineered Album and Best Produced Album categories, while Mi Casa got nods for Best Dance Album, Best Produced Album and Best Engineered Album categories. Legendary musician Joe Nina was also nominated for Best African Adult Contemporary Album.
The awards will be held at Sun City’s Superbowl on June 2.