South African Music Awards 2022: All the winners

The first batch of winners were announced at the same venue on 27 August. The second day of the awards ceremony, which was hosted by Nandi Madida, Lawrence Maleka, Mpho Popps, Robot Boii and Alphi Sipho Mkhwanazi, featured performances from Stogie T, A-Reece and Tshego, with an emotive tribute to the late Riky Rick. Other performers included Makhadzi, Takie Ndou, Shekinah, Musa Keys, Konke, Da Capo and Lloyiso.

Having won the Best Dance Album, Chymamusique also took home other top awards including Male Artist of the Year and Album of the Year. For his smash hit ‘Osama’, Zakes Bantwini, who recently announced he would be hanging up his microphone, clinched the Best Collaboration and SAMRO Highest Radio Airplay Composer awards.

Khanyisile Mthetwa won the White Star Newcomer of the Year Award after winning the Best Classical/Instrumental Album. Reece Madlisa and Zuma now have two awards, including Best Kwaito Album and Best Duo/Group. Blxckie triumphed in the Best Hip Hop Album category for his project B4Now.

Haksul Muziq stunned viewers when he won the SAMPRA Artist of the Year Award, beating out formidable competition. Makhadzi's Ghanama featuring Prince Benza won the TECNO Music Video of the Year Award, while Musa Keys’ Vula Mlomo won the TECNO Record of the Year Award. Mdoovar, 9umba and Toss clinched the inaugural TikTok Viral Song of the Year Award for ‘uMlando’.

Lifetime Achievement awards were presented to Jimmy Dludlu, Joe Nina, and McCoy Mrubata for their exceptional bodies of work throughout their careers and contributions to the industry. The International Achiever Award was given to Black Coffee for his contributions that extend beyond South Africa.

“Our 28th instalment has certainly set the highest standard for live awards shows,” RiSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi said. “We are grateful to our hosts Nandi Madida and Lawrence Maleka, all the guest presenters, performers for making this an exceptional night. We are proud of all the 2022 winners as they maintained the bar that had been set. We had an unforgettable experience in Sun City and look forward to visiting again in 2023.”

Below is the full list of winners:

Album of the Year

• Musique – Chymamusique
• African Electronic Dance Music – Sun-El Musician
• Ghetto King – Zakes Bantwini
• It's All You – Brian Temba
• When House Was House – Mobi Dixon

Best Duo or Group of the Year

• Ama Roto Vol.2 – Reece Madlisa and Zuma 
• Elephant In The Room – Watershed
• Franco Prinsloo: Kruis Van Liefde – Franco Prinsloo and Vox Chamber Choir
• Pangaea – Wouter Kellerman and David Arkenstone
• Wangikhulisa uMama – Shwi Nomtekhala

Best Female Artist of the Year

• ‘Platinumb Heart Open’ – Msaki
• ‘African Bird’ – Khanyisile Mthetwa
• ‘Nkulunkulu’ – Kamo Mphela
• ‘Trailblazer’ – Reign Afrika
• ‘Trouble In Paradise’ – Shekhinah

Best Male Artist of the Year

• ‘Musique’ – Chymamusique
• ‘African Electronic Dance Music’ – Sun-El Musician
• ‘Ghetto King’ – Zakes Bantwini
• ‘It’s All You’ – Brian Temba
• ‘When House Was House’ – Mobi Dixon

White Star Newcomer of the Year

• Khanyisile Mthetwa – ‘African Bird’
• Thapelo Lekoane – ‘Tapestry’
• 25K – ‘Pheli Makaveli
• Ncebakazi Msomi – ‘The 34th Psalm’
• Botanist Mr Lamington – ‘The Shift’

Best Hip Hop Album

• B4NOW – Blxckie
• Father Of Zen – Kid X
• Pheli Makaveli – 25K
• Today’s Tragedy, Tomorrow’s Memory: Mixtape – A-Reece
• Logan – Emtee

Best Collaboration

• ‘Osama’ – Zakes Bantwini and Kasango
• ‘Imali’ – Karyendasoul and Zakes Bantwini ft. Nana Atta
• ‘Wamuhle’ – Njelic and Boohle feat. De Mthuda, Da Muziqal Chef
• ‘Zwivhuya’ – Makhadzi ft. Joe Delinger
• ‘No Rainbow’ – Msaki feat. Da Capo

Best Amapiano Album

• Notumato – Young Stunna
• Nkulunkulu – Kamo Mphela
• Auti eSharp – Mas Musiq 
• Kwa Kwa – Mellow and Sleazy
• President Ya Strata – Focalistic

TECNO Record of the Year (ROTY)

• Vula Mlomo – Musa Keys ft. Sir Trill and Nobantu Vilakazi
• Abalele – Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa ft. Ami Faku
• Adiwele – Young Stunna ft. Kabza De Small
• Asibe Happy – Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa ft. Ami Faku
• Banyana – DJ Maphorisa and Tyler ICU ft. Daliwonga, Sir Trill and Kabza De Small
• Black And White – Nasty C and Ari Lennox
• I’m With You – Matthew Mole
• Osama – Zakes Bantwini and Kasango
• Phakade Lami – Nomfundo ft. Sha Sha and Ami Faku
• Umsebenzi Wethu – Busta 929 and Mpura ft. Zuma, Mr Jazziq, Lady Du and Reece Madlisa

TECNO Music Video of the Year (MVOTY)

• Ghanama – Makhadzi ft. Prince Benza
• Indlovu – DJ Zinhle ft. Loyiso
• Izolo – DJ Maphorisa and Tyler ICU ft. Mpura, Daliwonga and Visca
• Jola – De Mthuda ft. Sino Msolo and Da Muziqal Chef
• LiYoshona (Main Mix) – Kwiish SA ft. Njelic, MalumNator and De Mthuda
• Mmapula – Busta 929 ft. Mzu M
• Nkulunkulu – Kamo Mphela
• Phakade Lami – Nomfundo Moh ft. Sha Sha and Ami Faku
• Summer Yo Muthi – Blaq Diamond
• Yini Sdakwa – ThackzinDJ, Tee Jay and Sir Trill ft. Dlala Thukzin, Nkosazana Daughter, Rascoe Kaos, Moscow and Mpura

SAMPRA Artist of the Year (AOTY)

• Haksul MUZIQ
• AfroToniQ
• A-Reece
• Brandon Dhludhlu
• Emtee
• Jennifer Zamudio
• Makhadzi
• Millie Ngwalangwala
• Musa Keys
• Rodger KB

TikTok Most Viral Song of the Year

• ‘uMlando’ – 9umba, TOSS & Mdoovar
• ‘Trigger’ – DJ Karri
• ‘Abo Mvelo’ – Daliwonga ft. Mellow & Sleazy & M.J.
• ‘Sisonke’ – Thozi ft. Khanyisa, Sphokuhle & Pd Jokes
• ‘Nkao Tempela’ – Ch’cco & Mellow & Sleazy
• ‘Bakwa Lah’ – Major League DJz & Nvcho & Mathandos
• ‘Phakade Lami’ – Nomfundo Moh
• ‘Banyana’ – DJ Maphorisa & Tyler ICU
• ‘Adiwele’ – Young Stunna ft. Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa
• ‘Big Flexa’ – Costa Titch

SAMRO Highest Radio Airplay Composers Award

• Osama – Zakes Bantwini

CAPASSO Most Streamed Song of the Year

• ‘Abalele’ – Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa ft. Ami Faku

International Achiever Award

• Black Coffee

Lifetime Achiever Award

• Joe Nina
• Jimmy Dludlu
• McCoy Mrubata

Best Adult Contemporary Album

• Platinumb Heart Open – Msaki
• Tapestry – Thapelo Lekoane
• Where The Light Gets In – Pat McCay
• Elephant In The Room – Watershed
• Brother – Jacob Swann

Best Classical/Instrumental Album

• African Bird – Khanyisile Mthetwa
• Pangaea – Wouter Kellerman and David Arkenstone
• It Takes Three – Charl Du Plessis Trio
• Afrikaans – Scheppel
• Franco Prinsloo: Kruis Van Liefde – Franco Prinsloo and Vox Chamber Choir

Best African Adult Contemporary Album

• Cwaka – Mandisi Dyantyis
• Thetha Mama – The One Who Sings
• Camagu – Ntando
• 2020 – Joe Nina
• The Red Stoep – Nomfusi

Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album

• Volume – Die Heuwels Fantasties
• Al Die Ysters – Jan Jan Jan
• Sangoma Sandilands and Jou Pa Se Posse Maanskyn – Neil Sandilands
• Twintigeenentwintig – Jennifer Zamudio
• Woorde – Jodi Jantjies

Best Traditional Album

• Tshihwilili Tshanga – Dr Mercy Masakona Madzivhandila
• Dlozified – Mkhanyakude
• Dziya Fhirtana – Vha Venda Cultural Group
• Mathotse – Tau Sebata
• Hantam Kerfees – Klipwerf

Best Reggae Album

• Trailblazer – Reign Afrika
• He Crowned I Emperor – Skeleton Blazer
• Hard To Believe – Ras Canly
• The Shift – Botanist Mr Lamington
• Ngatanngwe – Red I Scorch

Best Jazz Album

• History In A Frame – Jimmy Dludlu
• At This Point In Time Voices in Volumes – Herbie Tsoaeli
• Music From My People – Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane
• Revision – Steve Dyer
• Quiet Please – McCoy Mrubata

Best Contemporary Faith Music Album

• Sacrificial Worship (Live) - Pulane Maphari
• My Heart To Him – Thabelo
• Denga – Kingdmusic
• Find Me Singing – Lauren Cullen
• The 34th Psalm – Ncebakazi Msomi

Best Traditional Faith Music Album

• Vela Nkosi – Jumbo
• In the Beginning – Paul K
• Heaven’s Scroll – Puleng March
• The Great Revival – Takie Ndou
• Shrubs of Chronicle (Live) – Zaza

Best African Indigenous Faith Music Album

• Similapha Nkosi – NUZ Voices Of Joy
• Ba Bosiu – Isaac and The Mighty Messengers
• Re Kopa Go Wena Ramasedi – JTG Gospel Choir
• Ore Etele Mohloeki – The Harmony Singers Artist Development
• Swi Lava Yeso – Zion Iskhalanga Academy

Best Maskandi Album

• Idaymani – Thokozani Langa
• Ziyashisa – Makhamnandi
• Wangikhulisa uMama – Shwi Nomtekhala
• Phakathi Komhlane nembeleko – Udumakahle
• Ivila Laselawini – Mzukulu

Best Alternative Music Album

• Glow – Alice Phoebe Lou
• City Of God and The Jungle Below – Daniel Baron
• Night Speak – Lo-Ghost
• Romance Was Born – Anna Wolf
• Child’s Play – Alice Phoebe Lou

Best Rock Album

• Partypocalypse – Springbok Nude Girls
• Headlights Dream – Steve Louw
• Revolution – Tim Parr
• Ennui – Deity’s Muse
• Sacred Sound – Albert Frost

Best R&B/Soul Album

• It’s All You – Brian Temba
• Real Talk – P.Postman
• The Arrival – Melleng
• Sour Milk – Joda Kgosi
• It Is What It is – Mikhale Jones

Best Pop Album

• Trouble In Paradise – Shekhinah
• Souvenirs – Jeremy Loops
• Motion – Tresor
• A Journal – Bonj
• Don’t Let Go – Jacky Carpede

Beste Pop Album

• Niks Vergelyk – Posduif
• Hier Waar Ek Nou Is – Juan Boucher
• Prisma – Janie Bay
• Rugsak – Elandrê
• Roekeloos – Rita Li

Best Afropop Album

• Amagama – Nomfundo Moh
• iStiff – Mnqobi Yazo
• New Faces To Old Problems – Bonga Kwana
• Sukulila – Cici
• Amalobolo – Aubrey Qwana

Best Produced Music Video

• ‘When House Was House’ by Mobi Dixon feat. Mariechan and JNR SA – Mabi Ntuli and Shona
• ‘Inhlupheko’ by Big Zulu – Edward (Gobi Beast) and Ofentse Mwase
• ‘Playback’ by K.O. – Ted Magerman
• ‘Mamezala’’ by Mafikizolo ft. Simmy – Dale Fortune
• ‘Finessin’ by AKA – Mninizo Sitho and Nhlanhla

Best Engineered Album of the Year

• It Takes Three by Charl Du Plessis Trio – Peter Auret
• Candid by Moonga K – Greg Abrahams, Mike Zietsman and Vicente Espi
• Ghetto King by Zakes Bantwini – Zakes Bantwini
• Pheli Makaveli by 25K – Sibabalwe Andile Fiphaza
• City Of God and The Jungle Below by Daniel Baron – Daniel Baron and Darryn Muller

Rest of Africa Award

• ‘If Orange Was A Place’ – Tems (Nigeria)
• ‘Son of A Tribe’ – Edgar Muzah (Zimbabwe)
• ‘Karabo’’ – Malome Vector (Lesotho)
• Boyfriend’ – Ckay (Nigeria)
• ‘Love & Isolation’ – Tay Iwar (Nigeria)

Remix of the Year

• Sun-El Musician, Azana and Da Capo – Uhuru by Sun-El Musician and Azana
• Manyelo Dafro, Bassekou Kouyate and Da Capo – Ladon by Manyelo Dafro ft. Basekou Kouyate
• Lira and DJ Maphorisa – Feel Good by Lira
• Da Capo – Mama by Josiah De Disciple and Boohle
• DJ Cleo – Gcina Impilo Yam by Bucy Radebe

Best Kwaito Album

• Ama Roto Vol.2 – Reece Madlisa and Zuma
• Don’t Lose Focus – Sukiri Papa
• Let Dogs Lie Low – Simple Eugene
• Kwaito Pallet – Shisaboy
• Trip To Jozi – King Razo

Best Gqom Album

• Umshunqo Reloaded – Dladla Mshunqisi
• Khula – Bello No Gallo
• Summer Banger – Dlala Thukzin
• Best Of The Best – T-Man
• The Journey – Slenda Da Dancing DJ

Best Dance Album

• Musique – Chymamusique
• Muzika – Miza
• Ghetto King – Zakes Bantwini
• When House Was House – Mobi Dixon
• African Electronic Dance Music – Sun-El Musician

Chairman’s Award

• Yvonne Chaka Chaka

Best Selling Artist

• Notumato by Young Stunner