Open call: South African Music Awards 2024 entries

4 Mar 2024 - 11:17

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

Musicians and record companies are invited to submit entries for the 30th edition of the South African Music Awards (SAMAs).

Kabza De Small was the biggest winner at SAMAs 2023.

The awards, which are organised by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA), are designed for music released between 15 April 2023 and 14 April 2024. Artists and record companies are invited to submit entries in over 30 categories that span various music genres. RiSA members are urged to update their contact details and update their membership fee as well as levies for them to take advantage of the discounted rates for submission. Non-RiSA members are still welcome to submit entries.

Entries should be strictly submitted electronically via a link that will be sent to RiSA members. Non-RiSA members may access the form here. For those who are unable to enter online, a provision has been made in the form of a help desk at RiSA offices on 152 Bram Fischer Drive, Randburg, Johannesburg, during office hours.

#SAMA30 rules state that an album consists of a minimum of four singles of previously unreleased material, excluding remixes and live audio recordings of previous albums. In the case of a single, two categories namely Best Collaboration and Remix of the Year, may be entered.

Following a six-week long submission period that ends on 14 April 2024 at midnight, the SAMAs office and a committee, comprising recording companies’ representatives, will vet the entries for eligibility before handing them over to a panel of judges for adjudication. The results will be audited and five nominees announced in each category.

How to enter

To complete an entry, the following assets are required to be uploaded on the website:

If an entrant is a RiSA member, proof of payment of the prescribed RiSA levies and membership fees should be submitted.
The proof of payment of the entry fees for each category entered.
The prescribed number of copies of the entered album, single or DVD, in the specified format if not uploaded on the entry system.
A declaration of all licensed recordings on any album entered.
In the Best Collaboration category, as well as collaborative albums and EPs entered into other categories, written approval by a collaborating artist who is not signed to the entrant’s record label. A consent letter by the management or anyone authorised by the artist can submit a letter on behalf of the artist. Where both artists are from the same record label, they don’t have to submit a consent letter.
In the Best Remix category, the original recording must be submitted, and the original repertoire owner must authorise the entry in writing.
The prescribed publicity materials of groups or individuals entered into the SAMAs, if not uploaded on the entry system.

“For 30 years the SAMAs has been rewarding excellence in music,” RiSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi said. “We have honoured stars who went to earn international accolades and flew the South African flag. It all starts with this crucial step of entering and we call on the music industry to take advantage of this opportunity while time still permits. You can only stand a chance of being a SAMAs winner when you enter, so take the first step and who knows. We will be making more announcements to mark this milestone year, so keep a lookout on all our platforms.”

Below is the full list of categories: