The nominees for the twenty-fourth South African Music Awards (Samas 24) had been announced on Thursday night.
The list of both Male and Female acts was revealed at a swanky nominees announcement party in Boksburg on Thursday night.
Organisers also confirmed that that nominees for much-anticipated categories such as Male Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Duo/Group of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and Album of the Year will only be revealed in May.
According to reports this year the SAMA office received 778 eligible entries up from 740 of last year and about 470 of 2016.
RSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi says this bodes well for the SAMA: ‘We are still committed to the practice of openness and transparency and a fair selection process. We release these entries for the industry and music supporters to be kept abreast of the developments as we progress through the stages of the SAMA. We also do so to avoid any surprises when we announce the final nomination list in the next few weeks,”
“We are thankful that year after year, the industry gives us a thumbs up knowing that this is a platform that celebrates worthy talent. As we head into the 24th edition of the SAMA we are confident of our credibility and take pride in our long-standing track record that speaks for itself,” Sibisi.
The most popular category is Best Music Video of the Year with 127 entries, it is followed by Best Collaboration that attracted some 100 submissions. Best Produced Album stands at 86 while Best Dance Album boasts 53.
Other competitive categories are Best Engineered Album at 42 entries, the Best Hip Hop Album with 26 entries promises to be a battle royale. The Best Alternative Music Album has 25 hopefuls whereas Best Kontemporere Musiek Album drew 20.
There has been an uptake of jazz with an impressive 25 entries, while Best Kwaito Album has garnered 8. Best Contemporary Faith Music Album promises to be a battleground for the 30 entrants. Best African Adult Contemporary Album will see some 21 of the best battling it out for a nod, the same applies to the Best Traditional Faith Music Album also sitting at 21. The rhythms of Maskandi throb at 16.
Best African Artist Album has jumped significantly from 6 last year to an impressive 30.
Recording companies and interested parties were invited to submit entries over a period of three months starting in November 2017 until February 2018.
While Record Of The Year Nominees will be announced on the Live AMP on Friday night.
The awards will take place on 2 June at The Sun City Resort and will be aired at 20:00 on SABC1.
Here Are Some Of The Reactions From Twitter:
[Yellow:The Novel] • 2
Mama has definitely given me a sign 😩. This has never happened to me before so I am still looking for my feelings.
Thank you to US.Thank you that my happiness is yours too.
You are my yellow.#sama24 pic.twitter.com/SHaW5m0Hbo— ZOË MODIGA (@Zoe_Modiga) April 19, 2018
Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Grammy Award Winner for Best World Music Album 2017.But no #SAMA24 nomination.
Someone explain this to me🤔 pic.twitter.com/HcOowIiz1u
— #RIPWinnie (@SimplyThandeka) April 19, 2018
#SAMA24 This album though…it was gonna cause some damage at the awards!! pic.twitter.com/auaDtg9eDr
— ThePhenomenal (@SelloTakatso) April 19, 2018
I’m needing Ntando’s skin care routine coz wow 😍 #SAMA24 pic.twitter.com/X1pppEyMtk
— Beauty Queen in tears… (@Mx_Moosa) April 19, 2018
The countdown continues! With only 6 hours left before we reveal the SAMA24 nominees, make sure to stay in the loop with all the updates as well as LIVE feeds from behind the scenes and more!! #SAMA24 #NOMINEES pic.twitter.com/4zmNlsOZQe
— The SA Music Awards (@TheSAMAs) April 19, 2018
Best Maskandi Album nominees are#SAMA24 #NOMINEES pic.twitter.com/f3BTFbyPly
— The SA Music Awards (@TheSAMAs) April 19, 2018
We nominated guys 🙌🙌🙌
Congrats @Nadia_nakai #SAMA24 pic.twitter.com/6srQpdf0Gk
— Team Bragga (@TeamBragga) April 19, 2018
Congratulations to the most amazing duo in Africa @blaqdiamond150 for being nominated on the Best Afro Pop album Category for their debut album #Inqola 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥#SAMA24 #InqolaForPlatinum pic.twitter.com/i1CaLK9S9j
— Ambitiouz Ent (@Ambitiouz_Ent) April 19, 2018
Congratulations to the hustla @EmteeSA on being one of the nominees of the Best Hip Hop Album for his second album #Manando🔥🔥🔥#SAMA24 #ManandoForPlatinum pic.twitter.com/4nahUzwzuQ
— Ambitiouz Ent (@Ambitiouz_Ent) April 19, 2018
#LandelaRemix‘s @DonaldInDenial is here #SAMA24 #SAMANOMINEES pic.twitter.com/RUJ3ijn0OC
— MAJESTY MAGAZINE SA (@MajestyMagSA) April 19, 2018
They kept us dancing that’s why they are the nominees for the Best Dance Album, the nominees are#SAMA24 #NOMINEES pic.twitter.com/qZuRVper8R
— The SA Music Awards (@TheSAMAs) April 19, 2018