Open call: South African Music Awards 2025 entries

Submissions opened on 10 December 2024. Entries eligible for the 31st instalment in over 30 genre categories, should have been released between 16 April 2024 and 31 January 2025. They can be uploaded via the SAMAs official website here or delivered physically at Unit 1, 152 Bram Fisher Drive, Randburg in Johannesburg, South Africa during office hours before 31 January 2025.

According to RiSA, the call for entries is geared towards hosting the SAMAs in the first half of the year, unlike in the past two years when they were hosted in November, in Pretoria and Johannesburg.

Submission process

• Electronically: The preferred method is online submission. A dedicated link will be sent out to RiSA members for a smooth process. Non-RiSA members can access the form directly via the official website.
• Offline help desk: Entrants unable to submit online, don’t worry. RiSA has a help desk available at their offices located at 152 Bram Fischer Drive, Randburg. Staff will be happy to assist you during office hours.
• Visit the About Us page on the website for a step-by-step guide on how to enter.

Entry eligibility

• Albums: As per SAMA31 rules, an album must contain at least four previously unreleased singles, excluding remixes and live recordings of existing songs.
• Singles: For categories like Best Collaboration and Remix of the Year, entrants can submit a single entry.

Timeline

• Eligibility vetting: Once the submission window closes, the SAMAs office and a committee made up of representatives from recording companies will review all entries for eligibility.
• Nominees announcement: After a thorough adjudication process, five nominees will be announced for each category.
• When submitting an entry, entrants should ensure that it adheres to the SAMAs rules. This will help ensure a smooth and fair submission process.
• Commercial release: A single or album must have been commercially released (available for purchase) in South Africa between 16 April 2024, and 31 January 2025.

“We have had an incredible year, marked by the triumphant staging of the milestone SAMA30,” RiSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi said. “Now we are fired up and raring to go with SAMA31 preparations. We have seen an increased number of entries in the past years and we hope to maintain this. It is a much-valued vote of confidence in our systems from the industry that we cherish. We call on the industry to come along and ensure that SAMA31 is for the books. We look forward to an overwhelming response from deserving music practitioners.”

Below are the categories:

Top 5 categories

• Album of the Year
• Duo or Group of the Year
• Female Artist of the Year
• Male Artist of the Year
• Newcomer of the Year

Album Genre Super Categories

• Best Rock Album
• Best Pop Album
• Beste Pop Album
• Best Adult Contemporary Album (English)
• Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album
• Best African Adult Contemporary Album
• Best Alternative Album
• Best R&B/Soul Album
• Best Hip Hop Album
• Best Kwaito Album
• Best Amapiano Album
• Best Gqom Album
• Best Dance Album
• Best Traditional Faith Music Album
• Best Contemporary Faith Music Album
• Best African Indigenous Faith Music Album
• Best Traditional Album
• Best Maskandi Album
• Best Jazz Album
• Best Classical/Instrumental Album
• Best Afro Pop Album
• Best Reggae Album

Special Awards

• Lifetime Achievement Award
• International Achievement Award
• Chairman’s Award
• Best Selling Awards
• Best-Selling Artist
• Best Selling Live Audio Visual
• Rest Of Africa Award
• Most Streamed Song of the Year
• Record of the Decade
• Album of the Decade

Technical Categories

• Best Produced Music Video
• Best Produced Album
• Best Engineered Album
• Remix of the Year
• Best Live Audio-Visual Recording
• Best Collaboration

Open call

• Record of the Year
• Music Video of the Year

View the original call here.