Kabza De Small achieved a remarkable feat, securing four victories at SAMA29 (the 29th edition of the South African Music Awards), generously supported by the Motsepe Foundation.
The event, which transpired over the weekend at SunBet Arena in Time Square, Menlyn Maine, saw the Amapiano sensation clinch the prestigious Best Duo/Group of The Year award alongside DJ Maphorisa for their outstanding Scorpion Kings Live Sun Arena collaboration.
The SAMA29 awards ceremony took place in a last-minute collaboration with the inaugural Africa Feat at Sun International’s SunBet Arena in Pretoria after the KwaZulu-Natal government pulled out of hosting the event.
Additionally, Kabza De Small claimed the title of Best Produced Album at SAMA29. This was for KOA II Part 1, a production featuring the talents of Kabza De Small, Da Muziqal Chef, Mdu aka TRP, Stakev, DJ Maphorisa, and Felo le Tee.
In another spotlight, gospel sensation Ntokozo Mbambo emerged as a shining star at #SAMA29, securing victory in three categories. The acclaimed artist triumphed in the Female Artist of The Year, Album of The Year, and Best Contemporary Faith Album awards for her remarkable work, Lavish Worship. Hailing from KwaZulu-Natal, Mbambo, who initially rose to prominence as the youngest member of Joyous Celebration in 2000, continues to assert her powerhouse status as a formidable solo act.
Continuing his posthumous winning streak was murdered rapper AKA, who received awards for Male Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Best Engineered Album at SAMA29.
Here’s the full list of SAMA29 Winners below:
| Female Artist of the Year | Lavish Worship – Ntokozo Mbambo |
| Male Artist of the Year | Mass Country – AKA |
| Duo/Group of the Year | DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small – Scorpion Kings Live Sun Arena |
| Album of the Year | Lavish Worship – Ntokozo Mbambo |
| Newcomer of the Year | Myztro – 2.0 Nkwari |
| Best Engineered Album | Mass Country – AKA, Engineered by Robin Kohl & Itu |
| Best Dance Album | Asante – Mörda |
| Best African Adult Contemporary | Usiba Lwe Gazi – Nathi |
| Best Adult Contemporary Album | Dark Secrets – Louise Carver |
| Best Afro-Pop Album | Isibuko – Sjava |
| Best Alternative Album | On The Romance of Being – Desire Marea |
| Best Amapiano Album | KOA II Part 1 – Kabza De Small |
| Best Classical/Instrumental Album | Fire Beast – Vox Chamber Choir & Franco Prinsloo |
| Best Collaboration | AKA feat Nasty C – “Lemons (Lemonade)” |
| Best Hip-Hop Album | This Is Religion – MashBeatz |
| Best Jazz Album | The Spirit of Ntu – Nduduzo Makhathini |
| Best Kwaito Album | Speak N Vrostaan – Kwesta & Kabza De Small |
| Best Maskandi Album | Umqhele neThawula – Khuzani |
| Best Pop Album | Seasons – Lloyiso |
| Best Produced Album | KOA II Part 1 – Kabza De Small, Produced by Da Muziqal Chef, Mdu aka TRP, Stakev, DJ Maphorisa, Felo Le Tee |
| Best Produced Music Video | Elaine – ‘Shine” – Directed by Jesse Ray Diamond, Produced by Shayna Gianelli |
| Best R&B/Soul Album | But Could The Moments in Between – Manana |
| Best Reggae Album | Unleashed – Blakka Yut |
| Best Rock Album | Kanniedood – Francois van Coke |
| Best Traditional Faith Album | The Overflow Gcwala Kimi – Dumi Mkokstad |
| Best Contemporary Faith Album | Lavish Worship – Ntokozo Mbambo |
| Beste Kontemporere Musiek Album | Toe Roep Ek Jou Naam – Jan Blohm & Ryno Velvet |
| Best Traditional Album | African Queen 2.0 – Makhadzi |
| Beste Pop Album | Jona – Bernice West |
| Remix of the Year | Mörda & Yallunder – “Ndinovalo” |
| Rest of Africa Award | Sounds of Peace – Moreira Chonguiç |
| Best Gqom Album | Meeting With The King – DJ LAG |
| Best African Indigenous Faith Album | Emmanuel (Farewell to Phodiso Joel Kgaudi) – JTG Gospel Choir |
| SAMRO Highest Airplay Composer Award |
“SETE” (feat. Young Stunna & Blxckie) |
| CAPASSO Most Streamed Song Award |
“SETE” (feat. Young Stunna & Blxckie) |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Mandoza (posthumous), Ihhashi Elimhlophe, Gloria Bosman (posthumous) and Pops Mohamed. |
| International Achievement | Wouter Kellerman, Zakes Bantwini and Nomcebo Zikode. |
| Record of the year | “Stimela” by 2Point1 feat Ntate Stunna & Nthabi Sings |
| Music Video of the year | “Stimela” by 2Point1 feat Ntate Stunna & Nthabi Sings |
I would like to congratulate all the SAMA29 winners and I wish all of them the best with their future musical endeavors.
Watch this space for updates in the Music News category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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