The 25th Annual

South African Music Awards The South African Music Awards (often simply the SAMAs) are the Recording Industry of South Africa's music industry awards, established in 1995. The ceremony is held annually, usually in late April or May, with the judging process starting in N ...

ceremony was held at the Sun City Arena in

North West The points of the compass are a set of horizontal, radially arrayed compass directions (or azimuths) used in navigation and cartography. A compass rose is primarily composed of four cardinal directions—north, east, south, and west—each sepa ...

on June 1, 2019. It aired live on

SABC 1 SABC 1 is a South African public television network operated by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) which carries programming in English and Nguni. It was created in 1996, after the SABC restructured its television channels. SABC 1 ...

. The show was hosted by

Bob Mabena Bob, BOB, or B.O.B. may refer to: Places *Mount Bob, New York, United States *Bob Island, Palmer Archipelago, Antarctica People, fictional characters, and named animals *Bob (given name), a list of people and fictional characters *Bob (surname) ...

, Melanie Bala, Twasa Seoke and hip-hop star

Khuli Chana Khulane Morule (born August 27, 1982), better known by his stage name Khuli Chana, is a South African Motswako rapper. Early life and career Morule was born in the Mmabatho, North West Province and started rapping motswako at a young age. He w ...

. The list of nominees was announced on April 25, 2019. HHP,

TKZee TKZee is a South African kwaito music group formed in 1990s by three school friends, Tokollo Tshabalala, Kabelo Mabalane, and Zwai Bala. The group shot to prominence in late 1997 and early 1998 with their chart-topping singles "Phalafala" and ...

Mango Groove Mango Groove is an 11-piece South African Afropop band whose music fuses pop and township music—especially marabi and kwela. Since their foundation in 1984, the band has released six studio albums and numerous singles. Their most recen ...

received the Lifetime Achievement Award at this years show.

Winners and nominees

Nominees are as listed below. Winners are in bold. ;Album of the Year *

Sjava Jabulani Hadebe (born 2 December 1983), known professionally as Sjava, is a South African singer, rapper, and actor. He began his acting career in 2005, starring in several drama series and films including '' uGugu no Andile'' (2009). He then ro ...

– Umqhele ** Black Coffee – Music is King ** Black Motion – Moya Wa Taola **Vusi Nova – Manyan-nyan **

Zonke Zonke Dikana (born 11 October 1979), known simply as Zonke, is a South African singer-songwriter and record producer. Her rise to stardom came in 2011 following the release of her third album, ''Ina Ethe'', which was certified double platinum and ...

– L.O.V.E ;Female Artist of the Year *

Sho Madjozi Maya Christinah Xichavo Wegerif (born 9 May 1992), known professionally as Sho Madjozi ( ), is a South African rapper, singer, songwriter, actress and poet. Madjozi incorporates the Tsonga culture through her music and public image. In 20 ...

– Limpopo Champions League **

Busiswa Busiswa Gqulu (born 8 November 1988), known mononymously as Busiswa or Busi, is a South African singer-songwriter and poet. Born in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa, she gained public recognition for her feature on DJ Zinhle's song, "My Na ...

–

Summer Life ''Summer Life'' is the second studio album by South African recording artist, singer-songwriter Busiswa. The album features contributions from guest artists, including Uhuru, Dladla Mshunqisi, Cruel Boyz, KayGee The Vibe, Zingah, LaSoulMates, D ...

Kelly Khumalo Kelly Nonhlanhla Khumalo (born November 11, 1982) is a South African singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. Born and raised in Nquthu, KwaZulu-Natal, she was discovered while performing at a gospel talent search and signed a record deal with ...

– Unleashed **Lebo Sekgobela – Umusa **

- L.O.V.E ;Male Artist of the Year * Black Coffee – Music is King **

Anatii Anathi Bhongo Mnyango (born 8 January 1993), known professionally as Anatii, is a South African rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer & music video director. Career Anatii began his professional musical journey at the age of 14 when h ...

– IYEZA **Nakhane – You will not die **

- Umqhele **Thokozani Langa - Iyabuza Induna ;Newcomer of the Year *

– Limpopo Champions League **Simmy – Tugela Fairy **Mlindo The Vocalist – Emakhaya **Paxton – This is me **

Sun-El Musician Sanele Tresure Sithole (born 28 March 1989), known professionally as Sun-El Musician, is a South African disc jockey, music producer, and songwriter. Born and raised in Mooi River. He attended University of KwaZulu-Natal but dropped out to purs ...

– Africa to the World ;Duo/Group of the Year *Black Motion – Moya Wa Taola **Tshwane Gospel Choir – The Next Revival **Spirit of Praise – Spirit of Praise Vol.7 **Ofeleba – Hi & Low **Encore – Segarona ;Best Rock Album *

Dan Patlansky Dan Patlansky is a South African blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. Patlansky opened for Bruce Springsteen in 2014. He toured in the United Kingdom in 2015, 2016, and 2023. Discography Patlansky has released the following albums: * ''Stand ...

– Perfection Kills **

CrashCarBurn CrashCarBurn is a rock band from South Africa. The band was formed in London in 2006 before returning to South Africa in early 2007. The group's debut album, ''This City Needs a Hero'' was released in 2007 was recorded and produced in part at ...

– Headlights **

Hellcats ''Hellcats'' is an American cheerleading comedy-drama television series that originally aired on The CW in the United States from September 8, 2010, to May 17, 2011. Based on the book ''Cheer: Inside the Secret World of College Cheerleaders'' b ...

– The Hex and the Healer **

The Black Cat Bones ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

– Here is a Knife **

The Parlotones The Parlotones are a South African indie rock band from Johannesburg. Formed in 1998, the group consists of Kahn Morbee (vocals and rhythm guitar), Paul Hodgson (lead guitar), Glen Hodgson (bass guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals), and Neil ...

– China ;Best Pop Album * Tresor –

Nostalgia Nostalgia is a sentimentality for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations. The word ''nostalgia'' is a learned formation of a Greek language, Greek compound, consisting of (''nóstos''), meaning "homecoming", ...

Jarrad Ricketts Jared is a given name of Biblical derivation. Origin In the Book of Genesis, the biblical patriarch Jared (יֶרֶד) was the sixth in the ten pre-flood generations between Adam and Noah; he was the son of Mahalaleel and the father of Enoch, ...

– Break the Rules **Paxton – This is me **Majozi – Majozi **Tholwana – 2.0.1.5 ;Beste Pop Album *Snotkop – SOUS **4 Werke - 4 by 4 **The Rockets - Sonskyn **

Brendan Peyper Brendan Peyper (born 7 August 1996) is a South African singer-songwriter. He released his debut album ''Stop, wag, bly nog 'n bietjie'' in 2015 and then a follow-up album ''Hy Loop Oop'' in 2017. Career Brendan Peyper was born in Bloemfontein ...

– Dis Nie Sonde Nie ** Jan Bloukaas – Lewe ;Best Afro Pop Album *

– Umqhele **

– Unleashed **Mlindo The Vocalist – Emakhaya **Simmy – Tugela Fairy **Vusi Nova – Manyan-Nyan ;Best Jazz Album *Bokani Dyer Trio – Neo Native **Thandi Ntuli - Exiled **Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane - Closer to Home **Tune Recreation Committee - Afrika Grooves with the Tune Recreation Committee **Mandisi Dyantyis - Somandla ;Best R&B/Soul Album *

– L.O.V.E **Kabomo – All Things Red **Mlu – A Day For The Universe **Lady X – Love.Life.Complicated **Nicksoul – Therapy ;Best Adult Contemporary Album *Ard Matthews – IImpossible Machines **Watershed - Harbour **Roan Ash – Whiskey to my Soul **Georgetown – The Dog Show **8 Misses Croon – ...Like never before ;Beste Kontemporere Musiek Album *Coenie de Villiers – Pure Coenie **Almero – Maandag **Douvoordag – Die Avontuur **Jan Blohm – Die Liefde Album **Refentse – Liefdegenerasie ;Best Hip Hop Album *Nasty C – Strings and Bling **AKA – Touch my Blood **Emtee – DIY2 **Jabba X – #FGTBB **Kid X – Thank Da King ;Best Reggae Album *Black Dillinger – Mavara is King **The Meditators – Explosion **Ras Vuyo - Diversion **Botanist – Game Changer **Bongo Riot – Next Levels ;Best Adult Contemporary Album *Watershed - Harbour **Roan Ash - Whiskey to my Soul **Georgetown - The Dog Show **Ard Matthews - Impossible Machines **8 Misses Croon -...Like never before ;Remix of the Year *Spikiri - King Don Father **

–

**Distruction Boyz - It Was All A Dream **

DJ Maphorisa Themba Sonnyboy Sekowe (born ), known professionally as DJ Maphorisa, is a South African DJ, record producer, singer, and songwriter. As a record producer with a blend of house music, amapiano and afropop, he has worked with and has received ...

– Gqom Wave Vol.2 **Sho Madjozi – Limpopo Champions League ;Best Dance Album *Black Motion – Moya Wa Taola **DJ Fistaz - Mixwell Summer **Sun-El Musician – Africa To The World ** Mobi Dixon – 10 Steps Forward **Black Coffee – Music is King ;Best Kwaito/Gqom/Amapiano *

Zakwe Ntokozo Zakwe is a South African Rapper born in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal. Early life Zakwe was born in the township of KwaMashu in KwaZulu-Natal. He went to Qhilika High School where he completed his matric and developed his passion for hip hop ...

- Sebentin ft. Refiloe Maele Phoolo, Jabulani Tsambo; Lesego Moiloa; Senzo Mfundo Vilakazi; Ncazelo Mtolo **DJ Capital – Skebe Dep Dep ft. Kwesta, Kid X, Reason, Youngsta CPT and Stogie T **Prince Kaybee – Club Controller **SPHEctacula and DJ Naves – Bhampa **Zakes Bantwini – Bang Bang Bang ;Collaboration of the year *Nakhane – You will Not Die **Breindy and Matt – Ruth Ave **Gabi Motuba- Tefiti Goddess of Creation **Jeremy Loops - Critical As Water **Sannie Fox – My Soul Got Stranger ;Best Live Audio Visual Recording *

Cassper Nyovest Refiloe Maele Phoolo (born 16 December 1990), professionally known as Cassper Nyovest, is a South African rapper, songwriter, entrepreneur, record producer and amateur boxer. Born and raised in Mahikeng, North West, he is regarded as one of the ...

– Fill up Orlando Stadium **Neyi Zimu – Another Level of Worship **Krone Various Artists – Krone 5 **Jabu Hlongwane – Crosspower Experience 3 **Spirit of Praise Vol 7 - Spirit of Praise 7 ;Best Alternative Album ** Black Coffee – Drive ft.

David Guetta Pierre David Guetta ( , ; born 7 November 1967) is a French DJ and music producer. He has over 10 million album and 65 million single sales globally, with more than 10 billion streams. In 2011, 2020 and 2021, Guetta was voted the number one D ...

and Delilah Montagu **Sun-El Musician – Sonini ft. Simmy and Lelo Kamao **Sun-El Musician – Ntaba Ezikude ft. Simmy **Dj Sumbody – Monate Mpolaye ft.

, Thebe and Vettis ** Black Coffee – Wish You Were Here featuring

Msaki Asanda Lusaseni Mvana(born 31 December 1988) known professionally as Msaki, is a South African composer, singer, and songwriter. Born and grew up in East London, during her childhood she was involved in musical activities. Her career in music ...

;Best African Indigenous Faith Album *Ithimba Le-Africa – Sesiphunyukile **Trust in Christ Ministries – Elami Igama **The General Isitimela – Amen Ezulwini **In Zion of Christ - Izinyembezi **Christ Worshippers Mass Choir – Nkosi Ngiyakuthanda ;Best Traditional Faith Music Album *Spirit of Praise 7 – Spirit of Praise Vol.7 **Lebo Sekgobela – Umusa **Paul K – Time of God Manifest **Sipho Ngwenya – Intimate Worship Season 3 **Kholeka – ‘’’Your Word - Alibuyi Lilambatha Izwi Lakho ;Best Contemporary Faith Music Album *We Will Worship – Seasons Volume 1 **Tshwane Gospel Choir – The Next Revival **Khaya Mthethwa – All About Jesus **Neyi Zimu – Another Level of Worship **Ntokozo Mbambo – Moments in Time ;Best Maskandi Album *Sgwebo Sentambo – Yekani Umona **Thokozani Langa – Iyabuza Induna **Ofeleba – Hi & Low **Mbuzeni – Ungishiyelani **Ichwane Lebhaca – Imali Yesoso ;Rest of Africa Artist *Diamond Platnumz – A Boy From Tandale **Kommanda Obbs – Kommanda Obbs **Mr Eazi – Lagos to London **Nixon – Who We Are **Oliver Mtukudzi – Hany'ga ;Best Traditional Album *Candy – Hupenyu Unenge Viri **Vhavhenda Cultural Group – Tshianda Nguvhoni **University of Limpopo Choristers & Kwazulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra - Africa Tivule **Tswelelang Cultural Dancers – Motho Wa Me **Mzimkhulu Happy Boys – Nqoba izitha ;Best Engineered Album *Vusi Nova – Manyan-nyan **CH2 – Starstruck **

Nasty C Nsikayesizwe David Junior Ngcobo (born 11 February 1997), known professionally as Nasty C, is a South African rapper, songwriter, and record producer. After releasing three mixtapes, one being "Undisputed" and two EPs, Ngcobo released his debu ...

– Strings and Bling **

– Umqhele **Hellcats – The Hex and the Healer ;Best Produced Album *Nasty C – String and Bling **AKA – Touch my Blood **Kholeka - Your Word - Alibuyi Lilambatha Izwi Lakho **Mlindo The Vocalist – Emakhaya **Zonke – L.O.V.E ;Music Video of the Year *Jeremy Loops – Gold **Bongeziwe Mabandla ft. Spoek Mathambo – Bawo Wam **Mafikizolo ft. Jah Prayzah - Mazuva Akanaka **Sho Madjozi - Huku **The Parlotones - Beautiful Life ;Record of the Year ( fan Voted) * Holly Rey - Deeper ** AKA and

Kiddominant Ayoola Oladapo Agboola also known as KDDO or Kiddominant is a Nigerian recording producer, songwriter, and artist. He's best known for producing Afrobeats longest charting billboard single "Fall" by Davido, which peaked on US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay ...

- Fela in Versace **Sun-El Musician featuring Simmy and Lelo Kamau - Sonini **

featuring

Emtee Mthembeni Ndevu, better known by his stage name Emtee (stylized as eMTee) is a South African rapper. He was born in Matatiele and grew up in Rockville, Soweto, where he was involved in talent shows. His career began at the age of 17 and his deb ...

- Abangani **

Mlindo the Vocalist Lindokuhle Mgedeza (born 7 October 1995), known professionally as Mlindo the Vocalist, is a South African singer and songwriter. He initially gained notable recognition following his debut single, "Amablesser", taken from his debut album, ''Emak ...

featuring

Kwesta Senzo Brikka Vilakazi (born 11 August 1988) known professionally as Kwesta, is a South African people, South African rapper and songwriter. Born in Katlehong, Gauteng, a township also known as "K1". In 2003, at the age of 15, he and his friend ...

and Thabsie - Macala **

Vusi Nova Snova (born Vusimuzi Nongxa, 1984), commonly known by his former name Vusi Nova, is a South African singer. Born and raised in New Brighton, Gqeberha, Nova relocated to Johannesburg in 1998 at the age of 14 to pursue his career in music and signed ...

and

Jessica Mbangeni Jessica Mbangeni (born August 22, 1977) is a South African praise poet and singer. Born and raised in Nqamakwe, Eastern Cape, she rose to prominence after participating on Soweto Gospel Choir in 2002. She has also pursued an acting career. In 20 ...

- Asphelelanga **DJ Ganyani featuring Nomcebo - Emazulwini

Multiple wins and nominations

Special Awards

International Achievement Award *None Lifetime Achievement Award *HHP *TKZee *Mango Groove

Sales and Downloads Awards

Best DVD Selling Album *Joyous Celebration 22 All for You Best Selling Digital Artist *Joyous Celebration 22 'SAMRO/CAPASSO HIGHEST AIRPLAY COMPOSER’S AWARD' *Lady Zamar -Collide SAMRO/CAPASSO BEST DIGITAL DOWNLOAD AWARD' *Joyous Celebration 22 All for You

Change

In 2019, When the nominations came out the "Kwaito" category was combined into the kwaito/gqom/amapiano category, this change sparked a backlash from fan and kwaito artists who were unhappy with the combination of this genre,

kwaito Kwaito is a music genre that emerged in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa, during the 1990s. It is a variant of house music that features the use of African sounds and samples. Kwaito songs occur at a slower tempo range than other styles of h ...

artist Israel Matseke led the complaints committee with the hashtag #DeathOf Kwaito, saying "that combining the three "different" genres was a deliberate attempt to kill the original kwaito sound". Responding to the backlash, Nhlanhla Sibisi,the CEO of the Recording Industry of South Africa (Risa), explained their reasons behind adding gqom and amapiano to the kwaito category.

References

{{South African Music Awards 2019 music awards South African Music Awards 2019 in South Africa