27th South African Music Awards

27th South African Music Awards
27th South African Music Awards
	Official poster
Date	July 31, 2021
Location	Virtual event, multiple venues
Country	South Africa
Hosted by	Bontle Modiselle ; Lawrence Maleka
Motto	Redefine, Invent, Imagine
Most awards	Kabza De Small (4)
Most nominations	Kabza De Small (6)
Television/radio coverage
Network	SABC 1

The 27th Annual South African Music Awards were the 27th edition of the South African Music Awards. The award show was broadcast live on SABC 1 on July 31, 2021 and was held virtually due to the effects of COVID-19 lockdowns.^[1]^[2]

The nominees were announced on 19 May 2021.^[3] Kabza De Small received the most nominations with six, ahead of Sun-El Musician with five nominations.^[4] The 27th annual SAMAs introduced new categories, introducing best amapiano, gqom and kwaito albums as their own categories.^[5]

On 17 July 2021, it was announced that television personalities Bontle Modiselle and Lawrence Maleka were to be the hosts of the ceremony.^[6]

Performers

The list of performers was announced on July 28.^[7]^[8]

Artist(s)	Song(s)
Sjava	"Umcebo"
Boity	"Bakae"
Big Zulu (featuring Riky Rick and Intaba Yase Dubai)	"Mali Eningi"
Bucy Radebe
Azana
Langa Mavuso
Buhlebendalo
Blaq Diamond

Winners and nominees

Nominees are as listed below. Winners are in bold.^[9]

Album of the year	Female Artist of the Year	Male Artist of the Year
'Once Upon A Time in Lockdown – Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa (Scorpion Kings) Persistence – Bongo Riot The Healers: The Last Chapter – Black Motion I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust – Kabza De Small Back to Love – Junior Taurus	Sho Madjozi – What a Life Reign Africa – On the Frontline Bucy Radebe – Spiritual Encounter Nomcebo Zikode – Xola Moya Wam’ HLE – Your Kingdom on Earth	Kabza De Small – I Am the King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust Sun-El Musician – To The World & Beyond Bongo Riot – Persistence Oscar Mbo – For the Groovists Junior Taurus – Back to Love
Newcomer of the Year	Duo/Group of the Year	Best Rock Album	Best Pop Album
Bucy Radebe – Spiritual Encounter Xolly Mncwango – Jesus is Enough Reign Africa – On the Frontline BandaBanda & The Crocodiles – Africado Azana – Ingoma	Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa (Scorpion Kings) – Once Upon A Time in Lockdown Reece Madlisa & Zuma – Ama Roto EP MFR Souls – Musical Kings Mas Musiq & Aymos – Shonamalanga Mi Casa – We Made It	Orange Sunshine – Yum Yuck Chrome Neon Jesus – Ethyl Ether Here’s to the Now – Nathan Smith The Devils Cattle – Ruff Majik Nothing’s Gonna Change – Oooth	Tribes & Angels – Locnville 11:11 – Rowlene I Don’t Sleep – Jethro Tait Sugar – Mark Stent She – Amy Lilley
Best Pop Album	Best Afro Pop Album	Best R&B/Soul Album	Best Adult Contemporary Album
Twintig20 – Brendan Peyper 2021 – Die Heuwels Fantasties Die Toekoms is Synth – Synth Peter Gewigloos – Juan Boucher Gemaklik Verlore – Christa Visser	Ngumama – Vusi Nova Ingoma – Azana Molimo – Manu Worldstar The Voice of Africa – Kelly Khumalo Tugela Fairy: Made of Stars – Simmy	Uhambo – Soul Kulture A Force To Be Reckoned With – Thando LANGA – Langa Mavuso Sindisiwe – LaSauce Small World – Ricky Tyler	Beyele - The Journey Continues – Max – Hoba Umsebenzi – Sjava Isambulo – 1020 Cartel Artists Bamako – Simphiwe Dana Buhlebendalo – Chosi
Best Classical Album/Instrumental Album	Best Contemporary Music Album	Best Hip Hop Album	Best Reggae Album
We’ve Known All Times – Wouter Kellerman Live in Cape Town – Guy Buttery & Derek Gripper Imagine – Charles du Plessis Trio Live in Lisbon – Nibs van der Spuy and Guy Buttery Tek’o – CH2	Herverbeel – Die Heuwels Fantasties Wandel in my Woning – Refentse Net Geleen – Bernice West Monumentaal – Ruhan Du Toit Spontaan – Riaan Benadê	Zulu Man with Some Power – Nasty C 4436 – Boity Nadia Naked II – Nadia Nakai POPSTAR – Yanga Chief Zakwe & Duncan – Zakwe & Duncan	Persistence – Bongo Riot The Journey – Ras Canly My Music – Freeky On the Frontline – Reign Africa Empathy Riddim – Lavoro Duro
Remix of the Year	Best Collaboration	Best Dance Album	Best Kwaito
"Yehla Moya" – Da Capo "Jerusalema" – Kid Fonque "Ndanele" – Dwson "Sala Nabani" – Sun-El Musician, Claudio & Kenza "Speak Lord" – Sculptured Music	"Mali Eningi" – Big Zulu featuring Riky Rick & Intaba Yase Dubai "Uthando" – Darque featuring Zakes Bantwini "Ek Like Hoe Jy Dans" – Chê featuring Snotkop "Senzeni" – Mthandazo Gatya featuring Comado & DJ Manzo SA "Yehla Moya" – Da Capo & Nduduzo Makhathini featuring Omagugu	The Healers: The Last Chapter – Black Motion To The World & Beyond – Sun-El Musician For The Goovists – Oscar Mbo Xola Moya Wam’ – Nomcebo Zikode We Made It – Mi Casa	Ama Roto EP – Reece Madlisa & Zuma Sgubhu OverDoze – Lvovo & Danger Endaweni – Darkie Fiction Don’t Lose Hope – Sukiri Papa Bhut’Madlisa – Mampintsha
Best Amapiano Album	Best Gqom Album	Best Engineered Album of the Year	Best Produced Music Video
Once Upon A Time In Lockdown – Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa (Scorpion Kings) Musical Kings – MFR Souls Back to Love – Junior Taurus I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust – Kabza De Small Shonamalanga – Mas Musiq & Aymos	InzaloYekwaito – Zinaro We Don’t Play the Same Gqom – Que Make Cape Town Great Again – Mshayi & Mr Thela Isiqalo – DragerNation Idando Kazi – Babes Wodumo	Inganekwane by Zoë Modiga – Papi Diretsi & Songo Oyama Swingle Bells by Jonathan Roxmouth – Adam Howard Goodluck Upclose by Goodluck – Murray Anderson & Andrew Rawborn Isambulo by 1020 Cartel Artists – Mfanafuthi Ruff The Second Coming by Kid Tini – James Smals, Kitie, Ron Epidemic & Tweezy	"Hosh" by Prince Kaybee featuring Sir Trill – Ofentse "Where is the DJ" by Malumz on Decks featuring Khanyisa – Oscar Nyathi "Qhawe – Made to Create" by Toya Delazy – Kyle Lewis & Vjorn Tucker "Mamela" by Mi Casa – Katya Abedian "Lucky Star" by K.O – Adam Zackon & Dale Fortune
Best Live Audio Visual Recording	Best Alternative Music Album	Best African Indigenous Faith Album	Best Traditional Faith Music Album
A Journey to the World & Beyond – Sun-El Musician Your Kingdom on Earth – HLE The Throne (Live Edition) – Presss Spiritual Encounter – Bucy Radebe My Hart Klop Refentse – Refentse	iimini – Bongeziwe Mabandla Mania/Post Mania – Yellow House Hot Mess – Evert Snyman Filth and Wisdom – The Medicine Dolls Ebusuku – Th&o	Izwi Lakho – Mandlethu Gospel Singers Makhosi Akithi – Vuma Zion Katlehong Gospel Choir Artist Development – Katlehong Gospel Choir Artist Development Sithembe Wena Nkosi – JTG Gospel Choir Enyokumkhonza – Enyonini Mission Ministries	Spiritual Encounter – Bucy Radebe Project 17 – Chapter 2 – Worship House Buya Nkosi – Thinah Zungu Wathi Eloyi Eloyi – Sipho Makhabane Izulu – Sneziey
Best Contemporary Faith Music Album	Best Maskandi Album	Rest of Africa Artist	Best Traditional Album
Your Kingdom on Earth – HLE Devotion – Nqubeko Mbatha Face 2 Face – Collen Maluleke Jesus is Enough – Xolly Mncwango The Promised Revival Part One – Tshwane Gospel Choir	Imfene Kamakhelwane – Abafana Baka Mgqumeni Amagupta – iChwane Lebhaca Ziyangiluma Izinja – Phuzekhemisi Iqatha Eliziqobayo – Thokozani Langa Banathi Shaqa – Imithente	Songs in the Key of Love – Berita Unity Album – Buffalo Souljah A Better Time – Davido Made in Lagos – Wizkid Midnight Train – Sauti Sol	What a Life – Sho Madjozi Love and War – Henny C Angeke Bakuthande Boke – Smangele Shebeen Queen – Vusi Mahlasela Ndavhuko – Vendaboy Poe

Artist Of The Year Top 5 1. Makhadzi 2. Ethyl Ether 3. Blaq Diamond 4. Reece Madlisa and Zuma 5. HLE

CAPASSO Most Streamed Song of The Year You're the One - Elaine

Best Adult Contemporary Album:

Winner: Ndlovu Youth Choir - Rise

Artist Of The Year Top 3 1. HLE 2. Makhadzi 3. Blaq Diamond

Best Jazz Album:

Winner: Modes of Communication: Letters from the Underworlds - Nduduzo Makhathini Best Produced Album:

Winner: Sjava - Umsebenzi (Delaydem, Ruff Nkosi, Webmoms, Zadok & Vuyo Manyike)

Music Video of the Year:

MFR Souls - Amanikiniki ft. Major League DJz, Kamo Mphela, Bontle Smith
Prince Kaybee - uWrongo ft. Black Motion, Shimza, Ami Faku
Sha Sha - Tender Love ft. DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small
Miss Pru - Price To Pay ft. Blaq Diamond, Malome Vector
Master KG - Jerusalema ft. Nomcebo Zikode
Ayanda Jiya - Lover 4 Life ft. Stogie T (Music Video)
Malome Vector - Dumelang ft. Blaq Diamond (Music Video)
Semi Tee - Gabadiya ft. Kammu Dee, Miano (Official Video)
Aubrey Qwana - Molo (Official Music Video) #REMASTEREDINHD
Nasty C - There They Go
Kwesta - Njandini
Elaine - You're the One (Official Music Video) REMASTERED
DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small - Lorch ft. Semi Tee, Miano, Kammu Dee
TNS, Skillz - Ayabonga ft. LeSoul (Official Music Video) HD
Sphectacula, DJ Naves - Okokoko ft. Thebe, Unathi (Video)
Nasty C - Eazy (Official Music Video) #REMASTEREDINHD
Focalistic - Ke Star ft. Vigro Deep (Official Video)
Rouge - One By One ft. AKA
Azana - Your Love (Official Music Video) REMASTERED
Shane Eagle - Paris ft. Nasty C (Music Video)

Winner:

Miss Pru - Price to Pay ft. Blaq Diamond, Malome Vector

Record of the Year:

Master KG - Jerusalema ft. Nomcebo Zikode
Elaine - You're the One
Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa - eMcimbini (Audio)
Nomcebo Zikode - Xola Moya Wam' ft. Master KG
Blaq Diamond - Love Letter (Official Audio) 2020
Aubrey Qwana - Molo (Official Audio) 2020 Lyrics On Screen
Sun-El Musician - Ubomi Abumanga ft. Msaki (Audio)
Prince Kaybee, Black Motion, Shimza, Ami Faku - uWrongo
Kelly Khumalo - Empini (Official Audio) 2020 Lyrics
MFR Souls - Amanikiniki ft. Major League DJz, Kamo Mphela, Bontle Smith
Sha Sha - Tender Love ft. DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small
Miss Pru - Price To Pay ft. Blaq Diamond, Malome Vector
TNS - Umona ft. Mpumi (Official Audio) 2019 Lyric Video
Matthew Mole - Keep It Together (Official Audio) 2020 Lyric
Simmy - Ngihamba Nawe ft. Sino Msolo (Official Audio) 2021
Blaq Diamond - SummerYoMuthi (Official Audio) 2020
MFR Souls - Love You Tonight ft. Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, Sha Sha
Jethro Tait - Sad
Shekhinah - Fixate ft. Bey T (Audio)
Azana - Your Love (Official Audio)

Winner:

Matthew Mole - Keep It Together (Official Audio) 2020 Lyric

Artist of the Year:

Winner:

Blaq Diamond

Special Awards

International Achievement Award

Master KG

Lifetime Achievement Award

Lebo M
Dr Lindelani Mkhize
PJ Powers

Best singer in intertainment industry

Sir trill

Best Selling Artist

Mlindo the Vocalist - Emakhaya

SAMRO HIGHEST AIRPLAY AWARD

Kgaugelo Moagi (Master KG) and Nomcebo Zikode – Jerusalema

References

^ "Sama27: Amapiano star Kabza De Small leads with six nominations". thesouthafrican.com. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
^ "27th Samas set for virtual experience on July 31". sowetanlive.co.za. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
^ "Samas 27: Nominations are out and men are leading the nods". The Citizen. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
^ "Amapiano star Kabza De Small tops SAMA27 nominations". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
^ "The 2021 SAMAs will recognise Gqom and Amapiano as separate categories". News24. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
^ Birjalal, Alyssia (July 19, 2021). "Bontle Modiselle Moloi and Lawrence Maleka announced as Sama27 hosts". iol.co.za.
^ Jabulani, John (28 July 2021). "SA Rappers Scheduled To Perform At #SAMA27". Ubetoo.
^ "Sama27 announces performers and presenters". Biz Community. July 28, 2021.
^ Dayile, Qhama (31 July 2021). "Here's the full list of the SAMA winners | Drum". News24. South Africa.

[1] "Sama27: Amapiano star Kabza De Small leads with six nominations". thesouthafrican.com. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.

[2] "27th Samas set for virtual experience on July 31". sowetanlive.co.za. Retrieved 8 July 2021.

[:1-3] "Samas 27: Nominations are out and men are leading the nods". The Citizen. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.

[4] "Amapiano star Kabza De Small tops SAMA27 nominations". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 20 May 2021.

[5] "The 2021 SAMAs will recognise Gqom and Amapiano as separate categories". News24. Retrieved 20 May 2021.

[6] Birjalal, Alyssia (July 19, 2021). "Bontle Modiselle Moloi and Lawrence Maleka announced as Sama27 hosts". iol.co.za.

[7] Jabulani, John (28 July 2021). "SA Rappers Scheduled To Perform At #SAMA27". Ubetoo.

[8] "Sama27 announces performers and presenters". Biz Community. July 28, 2021.

[SAMA-9] Dayile, Qhama (31 July 2021). "Here's the full list of the SAMA winners | Drum". News24. South Africa.

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v t e South African Music Awards
Ceremony year	1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Categories	Album of the Year Duo or Group of the Year Newcomer of the Year Music Video of the Year
Sponsors	MTN Group Recording Industry of South Africa
Venues	Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre Montecasino Sun City Superbowl
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