South African Music Awards 2024: All the nominees

The announcement was made this morning at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, where the nominees were revealed in anticipation of the prestigious awards set to take place on 2 November.

Tyla’s self-titled album earned her nominations in some of the most coveted categories, including SAMPRA Album of the Year, Ukhozi FM Female Artist of the Year, SANTAM Newcomer of the Year, and Best Pop Album. Her collaboration with Travis Scott on the hit single ‘Water’ also secured a nomination for Best Collaboration, further cementing her status as a rising global star.

The unveiling event marked the beginning of the countdown to SAMA30, which celebrates 30 years of South Africa’s premier music awards. Themed Less Noise, More Music, this year’s SAMAs will focus on artistry and creativity, highlighting the exceptional talent within the South African music industry.

Following Tyla, amapiano artists Kabza De Small, Mthunzi, and Mbuso Khoza each earned three nominations. Kabza De Small’s album Isimo is up for SAMPRA Album of the Year and Motsweding FM Best Amapiano Album, while he and Mthunzi are contenders for Radio 2000 Duo/Group of the Year for their collaborative effort on Isimo. Mbuso Khoza’s Shaka iLembe Soundtrack Album Volume 2 earned nods for Best Produced Album, Best Traditional Music Album, and Best Engineered Album.

The Male Artist of the Year category will see fierce competition between amapiano stars Kelvin Momo, Daliwonga, and De Mthuda, alongside rapper Priddy Ugly and new-age maskandi artist Ugatsheni.

In the Female Artist of the Year category, Tyla will face off against Brenda Mtambo, Lwah Ndlunkulu, Lordkez, and gospel sensation Xolly Mncwango. Meanwhile, the Newcomer of the Year category sees a strong female presence, with Tyla, Lwah Ndlunkulu, and Sykes competing against Die Piesangskille and Johan Balt.

 “We are thrilled to congratulate the SAMA30 nominees,” Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi said. “This year’s selection highlights the incredible diversity, talent, and creativity that the SAMAs stand for. We look forward to celebrating these extraordinary achievements at the awards ceremony.”

Sibisi also commended the dedication behind this year’s music: “To all the nominees, your music has touched lives, sparked movements, and brought joy to millions. We honour your artistry and the passion that drives you to push the boundaries of South African music.”

Below is the full list of nominees:

Best Adult Contemporary Album

• The Misty Cliffs – The Misty Cliffs
• Stimela – Drakensberg Boys Choir
• The Drive – Dr Duda
• Shipwrecked – Jack Atlantic
• Isipho – Smama

Ikwekwezi FM Best African Adult Contemporary Album

• Isicathamiya For A New Millennium – Thee Legacy
• Amaxesha – Bongeziwe Mabandla
• Reimagined – The Soil
• Sane – Brenda Mtambo
• Umoya - Embracing the Human Spirit – Vusi Mahlasela

Best Afro Pop Album

• Umkhonto – Zuko SA
• Imizwa – Lwah Ndlunkulu
• Ukhamba – Inkabi Zezwe
• Zulu Romance – Blaq Diamond
• Ugcobo – Nomfundo Moh

Best Alternative Album

• Layers – Carla Franco
• Enter the Grootness (Deluxe) – Van Pletzen
• Hopeless & Romantic – CHXRL 
• I'm With The Singer – I'm With The Singer
• Don’t Forget To Howl - West Coast Wolves

Motsweding FM Best Amapiano Album

• Boroko Keng - Mellow & Sleazy
• Baba Yaga – De Mthuda
• Dali Dali – Daliwonga
• Isimo – Kabza De Small and Mthunzi
• Kurhula – Kelvin Momo

Best Classical/Instrumental Album

• Sci-fi, Beats & Life – UBeyond
• End of the Beginning – Fanie Dick
• Lost Time: Bach Cello Suite No. 1 – Derek Gripper
• Lofi Chill – Tony Drake
• Relentless – Karen Devroop

Best Collaboration

• ‘Burning Bush’ - Mörda and Thakzin
• ‘iPlan’ – Dlala Thukzin, Sykes and Zaba
• ‘Sgudi Sync’ – De Mthuda, Da Muziqal Chef and Eemoh featuring Sipho Magudulela
• ‘Water’ – Tyla and Travis Scott 
• ‘Imithandazo’ – Kabza De Small and Mthunzi featuring Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine and Umthakathi Kush

Best Dance Album

• Asante II - Mörda and Thakzin
• Permanent Music 3 – Dlala Thukzin
• The Star Is Reborn – Zakes Bantwini
• Clickbait – DBN Gogo
• Reputation – Sculptured Music

Best Engineered Album

• Shaka iLembe Soundtrack Album Volume 2 (Original Music from the Shaka iLembe TV Series) – Mbuso Khoza
• Wake Up, It's Morning – Matthew Mole
• Umoya – Embracing the Human Spirit – Vusi Mahlasela
• Sane – Brenda Mtambo
• Reimagined – The Soil

Best Gqom Album

• Dark or Durban – Funky Qla
• Gqom To Another Level Vol.1 – Bello No Gallo
• We Don't Play The Same Gqom 2 – QueDj
• TronicsLand Series 2 – Mr Thela
• The Young Prince Of Gqom – General C’mamane

Best Hip Hop Album

• Note To Self – FLVME
• I Love It Here – Nasty C
• People Forget To Be People (Deluxe) – Wordz
• Heartbreak Hotel – The Big Hash
• Dust – Priddy Ugly

Best Jazz Album

• Enhlizweni: Song Stories From My Heartland – Steve Dyer
• Siparia To Soweto – Hugh Masekela and Siparia Deltones
• Rainbow Revisited – Thandi Ntuli and Carlos Niño
• The Past Is Unpredictable, Only The Future Is Certain – Vuma Levin
• In The Wake – Kujenga

Best Kwaito Album

• Ghetto Skomplaz – Abobhova
• Celebrating 25 Years In The Game – Sbu Malawyer
• Genesis – Taylor K
• Most Wanted – Sykes
• Inzalo YeKwaito 2nd Half – Zinaro 

Best Maskandi Album

• National Anthem – Inkos'yamagcokama
• Uber Driver – Sminofu
• Amakhothangqoko – Mthandeni SK
• Uyihlo noNyoko – Ugatsheni
• Isivulwe Yonke – Ntencane

Best Pop Album

• You Need Therapy – Mila Smith
• Magic – Will Linley
• 23:23 – Paxton
• Wake Up, It’s Morning – Matthew Mole
• Tyla – Tyla

Best Produced Album

• I Love It Here – Nasty C
• No Other Love – David Watkyns
• Shaka iLembe Soundtrack Album Volume 2 (Original Music from the Shaka iLembe TV Series) – Mbuso Khoza
• Wake Up, It’s Morning – Matthew Mole
• Ifa Lomkhono – Mbuso Khoza

Best Produced Music Video

• ‘Dali’ by Kamo Mphela – Kudzi
• ‘Amakhehla’ by Sjava – Tido
• ‘4am’ by Loatinover Pounds – BSV
• ‘018’ by Cassper Nyovest – Jabu
• ‘Call Me’ by Filah Lah Lah – Reabetswe Fila Ranamane

Umhlobo Wenene FM Best R&B/Soul Album

• A Tale of a Fallen Queen – Ayanda Jiya
• Love Letters – KashCPT
• Hold Me When It’s Cold: The Cuddle Pack – Una Rams
• Testament – Lordkez
• The Other Side (Deluxe EP) – Mia

Best Reggae Album

• Musinion – Undefynd
• Love & Unity – Ras Vuyo
• Proof of Life – Dimahr
• Love Expressions – Two Point Ow
• Give Praises – Skeleton Blazer 

Best Rock Album

• Dans Deur Die Donker – Francois van Coke
• Deurbraak – Millennium
• Hard Mode – Wonderboom
• Born & Raised – Kenny Hughes
• All-Killer-Filler – Evert Snyman

Best Traditional Faith Music Album

• Sibonga Umusa (Live) – Sneziey
• Indumiso yaseStezi – Thinah Zungu
• Worship House 20 – Worship House
• uJehova – University of Pretoria
• Mororiseng – Omega Khunou

Best Traditional Music Album

• Bhacasoul Experience EP – Joliza
• Mbofholowo – Makhadzi
• I’m Happy – Shabalala Rhythm
• Shaka iLembe Soundtrack Album Volume 2 (Original Music from the Shaka iLembe TV Series) – Shaka Ilembe
• Hamba Naye – Soul Brothers

Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album

• Rondry, Fliek En Die Buitelewe – Valiant Swart
• Allegaarkie vir 'n Askeet – Neil Sandilands
• Die Vallei – Joshua Na Die Reën
• Estetika – Elandré
• Alles – Jacob Swann

Beste Pop Album

• Almal Gly – Die Piesangskille
• Heelal – Ryno Velvet
• Braaf – Jan Jan Jan
• Omdat Jy Mag – Brendan Peyper
• My Mense – Ilán van Staden

Remix of the Year

• ‘Sisahleleleni (Ntokzin remix)’ – Bongeziwe Mabandla & Ntokzin
• ‘Weekend Special (Jnr SA remix)’ – Jnr SA
• ‘Yes God Remix MÖRDA, Thakzin, Mhaw Keys’ – Oscar Mbo
• ‘Dubula’ – Harrycane feat Eemoh, Master KG and DJ Latinny
• ‘Goodbye remixed by Soa Mattrix’ – Azana and Soa Mattrix

Rest of Africa Award

• ‘Asake: Work of Art’ – Asake
• ‘Don’t Get Used To This’ – Wurld
• ‘Lion of Sudah’ – Bensoul
• ‘Son Of A Tribe (Royalty Edition)’ – Edgar Muzah
• ‘Alusa Why Are You Topless?’ – Bien

Best African Indigenous Faith Music Album

• Alikho Elinye Ithemba – JTG Gospel Choir
• Ke Nako ya Modimo – Lejwe la Motheo
• Masango – Di Bruin Gospel Projects
• Vuya Matimba – Discuss Nkuna
• Soothe My Soul: Songs from our South African Church – Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Best Contemporary Faith Music Album

• The Gift Vol.1 – Brenden Praise
• Izililo – We Will Worship
• Unusual – Xolly Mncwango
• We Bow Down – 3C Live
• Come To Jesus (Live In Bryanston, 2022) – The Fellowship With Pastor Namba

Lesedi FM Male Artist of the Year

• Priddy Ugly – ‘Dust’
• Kelvin Momo – ‘Kurhula’
• Ugatsheni – ‘Uyihlo noNyoko’’
• Daliwonga – ‘Dali Dali’
• De Mthuda – ‘Baba Yaga’

Ukhozi FM Female Artist of the Year

• Tyla – Tyla
• Brenda Mtambo – Sane
• Lwah Ndlunkulu – Imizwa
• Lordkez – Testament
• Xolly Mncwango – Unusual

Radio 2000 Duo/Group of the Year

• Mellow & Sleazy – ‘Boroko Keng’’
• FokofPolisieKar – ‘Dans Deur Die Donker’
• Ladysmith Black Mambazo – ‘Soothe My Soul: Songs from our South African Church’
• Die Piesangskille and Johan Balt – ‘Almal Gly’
• Kabza De Small and Mthunzi – ‘Isimo’

SANTAM Newcomer of the Year

• Sykes – Most Wanted
• Lwah Ndlunkulu – Imizwa
• Tyla – Tyla
• Die Piesangskille and Johan Balt – Almal Gly
• Joliza – Bhacasoul Experience EP

SAMPRA Album of the Year

• Isimo – Kabza De Small and Mthunzi
• Tyla – Tyla
• Dali Dali – Daliwonga
• Soothe My Soul: Songs from our South African Church – Ladysmith Black Mambazo
• Unusual – Xolly Mncwango