SAMAs receive most entries since 1995

The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA), which organisers the awards, said a total of 1 395 submissions were received before the entry deadline on 3 February, compared to last year’s 1 163.

This increase in entries, RiSA said, augured well for the future of the music industry and the role the SAMAs continued to play. The categories that received the most entries are Best Collaboration (180), Best Hip Hop Album (179), Best Produced Music Video (149), Best Dance Album (73) and Best Amapiano Album (68).

“This is incredible news worth celebrating,” RiSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi said. “The SAMAs continue to grow from strength to strength with the buy-in and support of music industry practitioners and SAMA fans.

“I’m proud that we managed to build on last year’s gains, and the upward trajectory continues. Congratulations to all who were involved in running a slick campaign to attract this record number of entries. I wish all the entrants the best of luck.”

RiSA said it would now enter the vetting and judging stages, which would be run by committees comprising industry experts and practitioners. The nominees’ ceremony will take place sometime in April.