Singer and music producer Zakes Bantwini has dominated the nominee list at the South African Music Awards (Samas) with a total of seven nods.
In the Sama28 announced on Tuesday morning at The Garden Venue Boutique Hotel in Randburg, Bantwini scored a nomination in the Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Best Dance Album and Best Engineered Album awards for his 2021 album Ghetto King.
Umama hitmaker Sjava performing at the Samas28.
— Sowetan LIVE (@SowetanLIVE) June 7, 2022
Credit | Patience Bambalele pic.twitter.com/N3OoOEpiCR
His two songs, Imali with Karyendasoul featuring Nana Atta and Osama with Kasango, are also in the running for Best Collaboration award. DJ Maphorisa received six nominations, in particular in Music Video of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Remix of the Year nomination.
Mobi Dixon and Msaki got four nominations each. Mobi’s album When House Was House contends for Best Dance Album, Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Best Produced Music Video category.
East London-born Msaki is up for Female Artist of the Year, Best Adult Contemporary Album and Best Produced Album of the Year for her Platinumb Heart Open offering. She will also be vying for the Best Collaboration gong for her effort with Da Capo titled No Rainbow.
Young musicians such as Thapelo Lekoane, Khanyisile Mthetwa, Ncebakazi Msomi and Botanist Mr Lamington are all nominated in the Newcomer of the Year. Brian Temba, Sun-El Musician, Khanyisile Mthetwa and Chymamusique earned three nods each. Maskandi duo Shwi Nomtekhala is among the artists that walked away with two nominations. The group is nominated in the Best Maskandi Album and Duo of the Year category.
Acting SABC1 head of channel Thulisile Nhlapo said: “SABC1 prides itself on being the platform that unearths and recognises talent. With each year of the partnership, the South African Music Awards and SABC1, as a collective, shines a light on the music industry and the artists in their respective genres.” CEO of Risa, Nhlanhla Sibisi said about the nominees: “A job well done to all #SAMA28 nominees.
Each artist has laboured to ensure that they produce exceptional bodies of work which have soothed and united us during particularly challenging times. The standard of this year’s submissions was impressive and presented a tough task for our panel of diligent judges.” The awards will be take place on July 31.
