SAMAs 2021 application deadline looms

Music eligible for nomination must have been released between 1 February 2020 and 31 January 2021. Since November 2020, the SAMAs have been calling on local musicians to submit their works for consideration ahead of the awards ceremony.

“We have been encouraged by the number of entries streaming into our office since we opened last year,” Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi said. “There is no doubt that despite the COVID-19 pandemic it has been a vibrant year for music.

“We also saw the emergence and growth of new music genres and new talent, hence the introduction of new categories. We have every faith in the industry that it will be a competitive race.”

Last week, the awards’ organiser, RiSA, introduced kwaito, amapiano and gqom as standalone categories ahead of the 2021 SAMAs. RiSA also announced that EPs comprising a minimum of four newly released tracks would qualify for submission as an album.

Artists can submit entries here. After the submission period, a verification process will follow that will lead to selection made by a judging panel of industry players before the nominees are announced.