SA: Mobi Dixon, Sandz disqualified from SAMA24

“Sands is a citizen of eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) and as such is excluded from being considered for a SAMA in the Record of the Year category,” SAMA organisers said. “Mobi Dixon’s ‘Lake by the Ocean’ is a remix of an international song which is in contravention of the SAMA rules.

“Tigi by Sands has been replaced by ‘Love Me in the Dark’ by Sketchy Bongo featuring Kaien Cruz and in the place of ‘Lake by the Ocean’ by Mobi Dixon is ‘Mwanagu’ by Jackie Queens and VeneiGrette remixed by Enoo Napa.”

Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) and Southern African Music Rights Organisation said they were unaware of how Mobi Dixon and Sandz made it through to the nominations phase pointing at possible loopholes or oversights in the process.

“RiSA and SAMA are currently doing investigations into how these breaches were not picked up during the vetting process. After the investigation has been completed, appropriate remedial action will be taken.” 

This is not the first time the SAMAs have disqualified nominees for not meeting the criteria.

Last year, South African rapper Nasty C had his two videos ‘Good Girls’ and ‘Don’t Do It’ eliminated from the Best Music Video category owing to late submission. This automatically left Kwesta dominating the nominees list.

The SAMAs are set take place at Sun City in North West province on 2 June.