Today, the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) officially unveils the nominees for the
2025 South African Music Awards (SAMA31), a dazzling roll call across 25 categories
revealed in a high-energy virtual showcase that draws the nation into the very pulse of its
music scene. To sustain anticipation, the coveted Top Five categories remain under wraps,
set to be revealed in September, ensuring the build-up to the big night stays electric.
In November 2025, the SAMA stage, long celebrated as the pinnacle of South Africa’s music
calendar, returns in an evolved hybrid format, seamlessly blending the magic of a live, in-
person ceremony with the reach and dynamism of a virtual broadcast. This format expands
the SAMA experience, offering fans across the globe front-row access while preserving the
intimacy and grandeur of the physical event. It will be a night where artistry, rhythm, and
reinvention converge in a bold reimagining of what an awards celebration can be.
“This year’s nominations form a symphony of South African sound, a playlist that celebrates
not only genres, but the journeys behind them,” says Unati Gwija, SAMA Spokesperson. “It
is the wisdom of age meeting the exuberance of youth, as emerging voices and established
icons go head-to-head across categories. From amapiano trailblazers to jazz virtuosos,
gospel powerhouses to hip hop poets, we are living through a golden era where boundaries
blur and music reigns supreme. The SAMAs have always stood for honouring excellence, and
SAMA31 is no different – it is bigger, bolder, and brimming with brilliance.”
Gwija continues, “The SAMAs are more than an awards show; they are our annual love
letter to the industry. This evolved format allows us to fully embrace our theme: Less Noise.
More Music, and usher in a bold, enterprising era where digital innovation meets live
spectacle. The hybrid experience is not about immersion; it’s about amplification. It extends
the SAMA stage beyond the physical venue, inviting fans, creators, and partners from every
corner of the world to join in real time, without losing the intimacy and magic of being in the
room.
In this way, we honour the past, celebrate the present, and set the tempo for the future of
South African music. Now, for the first time, we can take the SAMAs to every province on
rotation, free from budget constraints. Come November, we won’t just hand out trophies,
we’ll orchestrate a celebration of sound that echoes far beyond the stage.”
With the nominations now public, fans, artists, and industry insiders are turning up the
volume in anticipation of music’s biggest night in Mzansi, when careers will be crowned,
milestones will be marked, and South Africa’s sonic landscape will once again take centre
stage.
Backed by powerhouse partners, the Motsepe Foundation, Department of Sport, Arts and
Culture, South African Music Performance Rights Association (SAMPRA), Southern African
Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO), Composers, Authors and Publishers Association
(CAPASSO), with the SABC as media partner – the SAMAs remain the gold standard of South
African music, amplifying diverse voices, fuelling inclusivity across genres, and championing
the nation’s vibrant music ecosystem.
“We are deeply grateful to the esteemed judges for their time, expertise, and thoughtful
consideration in selecting the nominees. Their dedication to recognising musical talent is
truly appreciated,” concluded Gwija.
Below is the list of the 25 categories
SAMA31 NOMINEE LIST
Category ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Best Adult Contemporary Album uKhisimusi – An African Christmas Just 6 Nkosilathi Sibanda
Best Adult Contemporary Album Seven Melanie Scholtz
Best Adult Contemporary Album Room For Everyone Tony Drake Anthony John Drake
Best Adult Contemporary Album Nonyezi Nue Sam Nosipho Khuzwayo
Best Adult Contemporary Album Look At You Now The Morning After Dirk Klut
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Best African Adult Contemporary Album UMI Zamajobe Zamajobe Sithole
Best African Adult Contemporary Album Sankofa Thandiswa Mazwai Thandiswa Mazwai
Best African Adult Contemporary Album Nomthandazo Zoe Modiga Palesa Nomthandazo Phumelele Modiga
Best African Adult Contemporary Album Isibusiso Sami Ndu Shezi Sigauqwe
Best African Adult Contemporary Album Indumiso YabeNguni Mthuthu Ntuthuko Mfanafuthi Ndebele
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Best Afro Pop Album Twenty Four Nomfundo Moh Nomfundo Ngcobo
Best Afro Pop Album Malik Malik Sabelo Zwane
Best Afro Pop Album Isibuko (Deluxe) Sjava Jabulani Hadebe
Best Afro Pop Album Inkanyezi (Live) Sjava Jabulani Hadebe
Best Afro Pop Album Collaborations With Friends Dalom Kids Montana Thokozai Mhlongo
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Best Alternative Album Unyazi Yoav & Jabulile Majola Yoav Sadan
Best Alternative Album Perspective: Black Zādok Tshepo Khutsoane
Best Alternative Album Hindsight 2020 Francis Soal Benjamin de Kock
Best Alternative Album Emlotheni Th&o. Thando Kunene
Best Alternative Album Berge Spoegwolf Danie Du Toit
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Best Amapiano Album Your Piano Is Not My Piano Vigro Deep KAMOGEO PHETLA
Best Amapiano Album Sewe Kelvin Momo Kelvin Momo Letwaba
Best Amapiano Album Ntsako Kelvin Momo Thato Kelvin Letwaba
Best Amapiano Album Midnight in Sunnyside 3 Mellow & Sleazy Phemelo Given Sefanyetso (Mellow)
Best Amapiano Album Inja Ye Game Zee Nxumalo Zandile Ndlovu
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Best Classical/Instrumental Album In the morning John Lundun
Chuene Reshoketjwe
Marakalala
Best Classical/Instrumental Album By Alle Skone Dinge
Chris Vale, Eugene Joubert &
Franco Prinsloo, Marlize
Hattingh
Christopher Vale, Eugene
Joubert & Franco Prinsloo
Best Classical/Instrumental Album Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper Derek Gripper Derek Gripper
Best Classical/Instrumental Album A Season in Paradise
Vox Chamber Choir & Franco
Prinsloo
Franco Prinsloo & Vox
Chamber Choir
Best Classical/Instrumental Album Awake for 22 Hours Orecchiette Pascal Righini
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Best Collaboration Waze Wamuhle Kelvin Momo Thato Kelvin Letwaba
Best Collaboration Takala Black Motion Thabo Roy Mabogwane
Best Collaboration Ematshwaleni Kususa Joshua Sihle Sokweba
Best Collaboration Stay With Me Matt Davies Matthew Kyle Davies
Best Collaboration
Mas Musiq, Lawd Weezy & DJ
Maphorisa ft TO Starquality, Chley &
Kabza De Small – Amalanga Mas Musiq Thabo Martin Ngubane
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Best Dance Album The Cradle Of Art Black Motion Thabo Mabogwane
Best Dance Album FINALLY FAMOUS TOO Dlala Thukzin Thuthuka Zindlovu
Best Dance Album Cr4zy!!.. MÖRDA Bongani Mahosana
Best Dance Album Dreaming Shimza Ashley Raphala
Best Dance Album Caiiro Caiiro Patrick Mthimunye
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Best Engineered Album The Cradle Of Art Black Motion Thabo Roy Mabogwane
Best Engineered Album Sankofa Thandiswa Mazwai Thandiswa Mazwai
Best Engineered Album Isibuko (Deluxe) Sjava Jabulani Hadebe
Best Engineered Album Reawakening Keenan Meyer Keenan John Meyer
Best Engineered Album Feathers & Stone Jeremy Loops Jeremy Thomas Hewitt
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Best Gqom Album Tronics Land 3 Mr Thela SIMPHIWE LEONARD SIHAWU
Best Gqom Album The Rebellion DJ Lag Lwazi Asanda Gwala
Best Gqom Album Play At Your Own Risk Goldmax Zipho Mthembu
Best Gqom Album NANDE 3.0 DJ Sandiso Sandiso Gebashe
Best Gqom Album Next Level Lelowhatsgood Ntsikelelo Meslani
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Best Hip Hop Album See U Soon Delux Blxckie Sihle Sithole
Best Hip Hop Album Red October: Induction Tony Dayimane Sbongakonke Mfundo Mchunu
Best Hip Hop Album Pray 4 Pitori Loatinover Pounds Loatile Mangadi
Best Hip Hop Album Audio 2D; Dear Darkie Sizwe Alakine Sizwe Moeketsi
Best Hip Hop Album
Loyal To The Plug: The Life & Times of
Don Kilograms 25K Lehlohonolo Molefe
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Best Jazz Album uNomkhubulwane NDUDUZO MAKHATHINI
Best Jazz Album Terra Solus Nick Ford
Best Jazz Album Ndilapha Nomfundo Xaluva
Best Jazz Album Hope Dies Last Peter Auret
Best Jazz Album Apho Kungenje Ncesh Nonxishi
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Best Maskandi Album Ngathi Nguye Umafikizolo
Best Maskandi Album iPolotiki Phuzekhemisi
Best Maskandi Album Angidlali Nezingane Khuzani
Best Maskandi Album Alingeni Ntencane
Best Maskandi Album Amathambo Kagogo Imithente
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Best Produced Album UMI Zamajobe Zamajobe Sithole
Best Produced Album The Cradle Of Art Black Motion Thabo Roy Mabogwane
Best Produced Album Sankofa Thandiswa Mazwai Thandiswa Mazwai
Best Produced Album Reprise on 2nd Avenue Qü Sakumuzi Qumana
Best Produced Album iLadi Linda Sikhakhane Linda Nhlakanipho Sikhakhane
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Best Produced Music Video Umbuzo Soa Mattrix
Best Produced Music Video
Gucci (official music video) feat.
MaWhoo Mthandeni SK
Best Produced Music Video Tshwala Bam (Remix) TitoM and Yuppe
Best Produced Music Video South Blxckie
Best Produced Music Video Shekhinah ft Moliy – Risk Shekhinah
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Best R&B/Soul Album Too Many Promises Mikhalé Jones Mikhale Megan Jones
Best R&B/Soul Album Stone Cold Heart Elaine Ndivhuwo Elaine Mukheli
Best R&B/Soul Album On Air Filah Lah Lah Reabetswe Ranamane
Best R&B/Soul Album It’s Clear To See Clxrity Charles Nkateko Hlulani Shilowa
Best R&B/Soul Album Heartbreak Hotel (deluxe) The Big Hash Reabetswe Kungwane
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Best Reggae Album Mekwei Dread Lloyd Lonwabo Nokilana
Best Reggae Album The Rise Anela Jahmena Anela Stuurman
Best Reggae Album Flaws in Frame Dimahr Caroline Phillips
Best Reggae Album After All LUWE DA LION LUNGA HERCULES WELA
Best Reggae Album Area Code Botanist Mr Lamington Emmanuel Mohlomi
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Best Rock Album VIR MEKAAR Bloumoord Tiaan Enslin
Best Rock Album These Blues Might Get You Too MaxX & Love Katlego Monticoe
Best Rock Album The World We Know Prime Circle Marco Sergio Gomes
Best Rock Album OLD WOUNDS The Man Motels The Man Motels
Best Rock Album Look At You Now The Morning After Dirk Klut
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Best Traditional Faith Music Album Uyinqaba Yam (Jehovah Nissi) Betusile Betusile Mcinga
Best Traditional Faith Music Album The Journey (Part 1) Tebs David Tebogo David Maponya
Best Traditional Faith Music Album The Full Circle Revival Malusi Mbokazi Mthokozisi Shephred Mbokazi
Best Traditional Faith Music Album Rofhiwa Dzina Rofhiwa Manyaga Rofhiwa Percy Manyaga
Best Traditional Faith Music Album According to Grace, A One Man Show Ayanda Ntanzi Ayanda Ntanzi
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Best Traditional Music Album O moleele
Keitumetse Mangate
Production Keitumetse Mangate
Best Traditional Music Album Mmakgodu MmaAusi
Galaletsang MmaAusi
Lekoma
Best Traditional Music Album Miracle Child (Deluxe) Makhadzi Entertainment Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona
Best Traditional Music Album Kwanomthandazo Sabu Jiyana Siyabulela Jiyana
Best Traditional Music Album Bakokota (EP) Pleasure Tsa Manyalo Pleasure Ramadimetja Peta
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album Vaalsand Pietman Geldenhuys Pieter Dawid Geldenhuys
Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album Niemandsland Ampie Abram Christoffel Du Preez
Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album Eindbestemming Spoegwolf Danie Du Toit
Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album Land & Sand Neil Sandilands Neil Sandilands
Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album Geraamtes Majo Majo Rademeyer
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Remix of the Year Tshwala Bam TitoM Thato Seth Mathobela
Remix of the Year Skuta Baba Woodblock DJs Sicelo Belly Nkomo
Remix of the Year Mngani Jnr SA Lesego Junior Nkooe
Remix of the Year Iza Mawala Tycoon Alec Rorisang Kobeng
Remix of the Year Hlala Mpho.Wav Mpho G. Mohlong
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Rest of Africa Award (SOUTH AFRICANS
EXCLUDED) The Year I Turned 21 Ayra Starr Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe
Rest of Africa Award (SOUTH AFRICANS
EXCLUDED) The Party & After Party Bensoul Benson Mutua Muia
Rest of Africa Award (SOUTH AFRICANS
EXCLUDED) Morayo Wizkid Ayodeji Balogun
Rest of Africa Award (SOUTH AFRICANS
EXCLUDED) Born In The Wild Tems Temilade Openiyi
Rest of Africa Award (SOUTH AFRICANS
EXCLUDED) adedamola Fireboy DML Adedamola Adefolahan
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Best African Indigenous Faith Album Re Kgoeletsa Magodimong Wacha Mkhukhu Wachumlilo Kago Molefe
Best African Indigenous Faith Album Morena Re Ya Leboga JTG Gospel Choir JTG Gospel Choir
Best African Indigenous Faith Album Busa Jeso House Of Mercy Thapelo
Best African Indigenous Faith Album Ikutana Barongoa Ba Morena Zanele J. Naledi
Best African Indigenous Faith Album Nkapese Ka Maatla Di Bruin Gospel Projects Brown Mosiapoa
CATEGORY ENTRY TILE STAGE NAME ARTIST OR GROUP TITLE
Best Contemporary Faith Music Album Crosspower Experience 4 Jabu Hlongwane
Best Contemporary Faith Music Album The Glory Takie Ndou
Best Contemporary Faith Music Album
Heavenly Psalms Level 2 (Live at
Goshen City Church 2023) SbuNoah
Best Contemporary Faith Music Album Lindiwe Nontokozo Mkhize
Best Contemporary Faith Music Album Living Word Mmangaliso
INFO SUPPLIED.
