Refresher: Take a look at the full list of SAMA28 nominees

The 28th annual South African Music Awards (SAMAs) are set to take place on Sunday 28 August at the Sun City Superbowl in North West. As we gear up for Mzansi’s biggest night in music, here are all the artists up for an award this year. 2022 marks the first year that the TikTok Viral Song of the Year Award will be handed out. With only two days left to go, South Africa is buzzing with excitement!

Take a look at the full list of nominees for the 28th annual Samas. 

ALSO READ: #SAMA28 nominees: Amapiano dominates first three categories

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Haksul MUZIQ
• AfroToniQ
• Rodger KB
• Jennifer Zamudio
• A-Reece 
• Emtee
• Musa Keys
• Makhadzi
• Brandon Dhludhlu

RECORD OF THE YEAR

• Musa Keys featuring Sir Trill and Nobantu Vilakazi – Vula Mlomo
• Matthew Mole – I’m With You
• Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa featuring Ami Faku – Asibe Happy
• Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa featuring Ami Faku –  Abalele
• Nasty C featuring Ari Lennox – Black And White
• Busta 929 and Mpura featuring Zuma, Mr JazziQ, Lady Du and Reece Madlisa – Umsebenzi Wethu
• Young Stunna featuring Kabza De Small – Adiwele
• DJ Maphorisa and Tyler ICU featuring Daliwonga, Sir Trill and Kabza De Small – Banyana
• Zakes Bantwini and Kasango – Osama

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR

• Makhadzi featuring Prince Benza – Ghanama
• Blaq Diamond – Summer Yo Muthi
• DJ Maphorisa and Tyler ICU featuring Mpura, Daliwonga and Visca – Izolo
• Kwiish SA featuring MalumNator and De Mthuda – LiYoshona
• Kamo Mphela – Nkulunkulu
• De Mthuda featuring Sino Msolo and Da Muziqal Chef – Jola
• DJ Zinhle featuring Lloyiso – Indlovu
• Busta 929 featuring Mzu M – Mmampula
• Nomfundo Moh featuring Sha Sha and Ami Faku – Phakade Lami
• ThackzinDJ, Tee Jay, and Sir Trill featuring Dlala Thukzin, Nkosazana Daughter, Rascoe Kaos, Moscow and Mpura – Yini Sdakwa

ALBUM OF THE YEAR 

• Sun-El Musician: African Electronic Dance Music
• Zakes Bantwini: Ghetto King
• Brian Temba: It’s All You
• CymaMusique: Musique
• Mobi Dixon: When House Was House

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR 

• Msaki: Platinum Heart Open
• Khanyisile Mthethwa: African Bird
• Kamo Mphela: Nkulunkulu
• Reign Afrika: Trailblazer
• Shekhinah: Trouble In Paradise

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR 

• Sun-El Musician: African Electronic Dance Album
• Zakes Bantwini: Ghetto King
• Brian Temba: It’s All You
• ChymaMusique: Musique
• Mobi Dixon: When House Was House

DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR 

• Reece Madlisa & Zuma: Ama Roto Vol. 2
• Watershed: Elephant In The Room
• Franco Prinsloo & Vox Chamber Choir: Franco: Kruis Van Liefde
• Wouter Kellerman & David Arkenstone: Pangaea
• Shwi Nimtekhala: Wangikhulisa uMama

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 

• Thapelo Lekoane: Tapestry
• Khanyisile Mthetwa: African Bird
• 25K: Pheli Makaveli
• Ncebakazi Msomi: The 34th Psalm
• Botanist Mr Lemington: The Shift

BEST ROCK ALBUM

• Steve Louw: Headlight Dreams 
• Springbok Nude Girls: Partypocalypse
• Tim Parr: Revolution
• Deity’s Muse: Ennui
• Albert Frost: Sacred Sound

BEST POP ALBUM 

• Jeremy Loops: Souvenirs
• Tresor: Motion
• Shekhinah: Trouble In Paradise
• Bonji: A Journal
• Jacky Carpede: Don’t Let Go

BESTE KONTEMPORÊRE MUSIEK ALBUM

• Jan Jan Jan: Al Die Oysters
• Neil Sandilands: Sangona Sandilands & Jou Pa Se Posse Maanskyn
• Jennifer Zamuido: Twintigeentwintig
• Die Heuwels Fantasties:Volume
• Jodi Jantjies: Woorde

BESTE POP ALBUM 

• Juan Boucher: Hier Waar Ek Nou Is
• Janie Bay: Prisma
• Elandre: Rugsak
• Posduif: Nkis Vergely
• Rite Li: Roekeloos

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM

• Daniel Baron: City of God & The Jungle Below
• Lo-Ghost: Night Speak
• Alice Phoebe Lou: Glow
• Anna Wolf: Romance Was Born
• Alice Phoebe Lou: Child’s Play

BEST R&B/SOUL ALBUM

• P.Postman: Real Talk
• Melleng: The Arrival
• Joda Kgosi: Sour Milk
• Brian Temba: It’s All You
• Mikhale Jones – It Is What It Is

BEST HIP HOP ALBUM

• Kid X: Father of Zen
• 25K:  Pheli Makaveli
• A-Reece: Today’s Tragedy, Tomorrow’s Memory: Mixtape
• Emtee: Logan
• Blxckie: B4Now

BEST KWAITO ALBUM

• Sukiri Papa : Don’t Lose Focus
• Simply Eugene: Let Dogs Lie Low
• ShisaBoy: Kwaito Pallet
• Reece Madlisa & Zuma: Ama Roto Vol. 2
• King Razo: Trip To Jozi

BEST DANCE ALBUM

• Miza: Muzika
• Zakes Bantwini: Ghetto King
• ChymaMusique: Musique
• Mobi Dixon: When House Was House
• Sun-El Musician: African Electronic Dance Music

BEST TRADITIONAL FAITH MUSIC ALBUM

• Puleng March: Heaven’s Scroll
• Paul K: In The Beginning
• Vela Nkosi: Jumbo
• Takie Ndou: The Gret Revival
• Zaza: Shrubs of Chronicle (Live)

BEST CONTEMPORARY FAITH MUSIC ALBUM

• Thabelo: My Heart To Him
• KingDMusic: Denga
• Pulane Maphari: Sacrificial Worship (Live
• Lauren Cullen: Find Me Singing
• Ncebakazi Msomi: The 34th Psalm

BEST TRADITIONAL ALBUM

• Mkhanyalude: Dlozified
• Vha Venda Cultural Group: Dziya Fhirana
• Dr Mercy Masakona Mazivhandila: Tshihwilili
• Tau Sebata: Mathotse
• Klipwef: Hantam Kersfees

BEST AFRICAN INDIGENOUS FAITH MUSIC ALBUM

• Isaac & The Mighty Messengers: Ba Bosiu
• JTG Gospel Choir: Re Kopa Go Wena Ramasedi
• NUZ Voices Of Joy: Similapha Nkosi
• The Harmony Singers Artists Development: Ore Etele Mohloeki
• Zion Iskhalanga Academy: Swi Lava Yeso

BEST MASKANDI

• Makhamnandi: Ziyashisa
• Shwi Nimtekhala: Wangikgulisa Umama
• Thokozani Langa : Idayimani
• Udumakahle: Phakati Komhlane
• Mzukulu: Ivila Laselawini

BEST JAZZ ALBUM

• Herbie Tsoaeli: At This Point In Time Voices In Volumes
• Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane: Music From My People
• Jimmy Dludlu: History In A Frame
• Steve Dyer: Revision
• McCoy Mrubata: Quiet Please

BEST CLASSICAL/INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM

• Wouter Kellerman & Davi Arkenstone: Pangaea
• Khanyisile Mthethwa: African Bird
• Charl Du Plessis Trio: It Takes Three
• Scheppel: Afrikaans
• Franco Prinsloo: Vox Chamber Choir

BEST AFRO POP ALBUM

• Mnqobi Yazo: iStiff
• Bonga Kwana: New Faces To Old Problema
• Cici: Sukulila
• Aubrey Qwana: Amalobolo
• Nomfundo Moh: Amagama

REST OF AFRICA AWARD

• Edgar Muzah: Son Of A Tribe
• Malome Vector: Karabo
• CKay: Boyfriend
• Tems: If Orange Was A Place
• Tay Iwar: Love & Isolation

BEST COLLABORATION

• Karyendasoul & Zakes Bantwini featuring Nana Atta: Imali
• Zakes Bantwini & Kasango: Osama
• Njelic & Boohle featuring De Mthuda and Da Muziqal Chef: Wamuhle
• Makhadzi featuring Joe Belinger: Zwivhuya
• Msaki featuring Da Capo: No Rainbow

BEST PRODUCED MUSIC VIDEO

• Edward (Gobi Beast) & Ofentse Mwase: Big Zulu – Inhlupheko
• Ted Magerman: K.O – Playback
• Dale Fortune: Mafikizolo featuring Simmy – Mamezala
• Mabi Ntuli & Shona: Mobi Dixon featuring Mariechan and Jnr SA – When House Was House
• Mninzo Sitho & Nhlanhla – AKA: Finessin

BEST PRODUCED ALBUM OF THE YEAR 

• Bokang & Ndumiso: Malome Vector- Karabo
• Neo Muyanga & Asanda: Msaki – Platinum Heart Open
• Howard Bradley: Vaughn Prangley – Destination Unknown
• Seak, Keanan Leroy & Arthur: The One Who Sings – Thetha Mama
• Jacques Du Plesis High: Khan Morbee – A World At Suicide

BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM OF THE YEAR

• Greg Abrahams, Mike Zietsman & Vincente: Moonga K- Candid
• Zakes Bantwini: Zakes Bantwini – Ghetto King
• Sibabalwa Andile Fiphaza: 25K – Pheli Makaveli
• Daniel Baron & Darryn Muller: Daniel Baron: City of God & The Jungle Bow
• Peter Auret: Charl Du Plessis Trio – It Takes Three

REMIX OF THE YEAR

• Manyelo Dafro Bassekou Kouyate & Da Capo: Ladon – Manyelo featuring Bassekou Kouyate
• Lira & DJ Maphorisa: Feel Good
• Sun-El Musician, Azana & Da Capo: Uhuru by Sun-El Musician & Azana
• Da Capo: Mama by Josiah De Disciple & Boohle
• DJ Cleo: Gcina Impilo Yam by Bucy Radebe

BEST REGGAE ALBUM

• Skeleton Blazer: He Crowned I Emperor
• Reign Afrika – Trailblazer
• Ras Canley: Hard To Believe
• Botanist Mr Lamington: The Shift
• Red Is Scorch – Ngatanngwe

BEST AMAPIANO ALBUM

• Kamo Mphela: Nkulunkulu
• Mas Musiq: Authi e’Sharp
• Mellow & Sleazy: Kwa Kwa
• Young Stunna: Notumato
• Focalistic: President Ya Strata

BEST GQOM ALBUM

• Bello No Gallo: Khula
• Dlala Thukzin: Summer Banger
• T-Man: Best of the Best
• Slenda Da Dancing DJ: The Journey
• Dladla Mshunqisi: Umshunqo Reloaded

TIKTOK VIRAL SONG OF THE YEAR

• 9lumba, Toss and Mdoovar: uMlando
• DJ Karri: Trigger
• Daliwonga featuring Mellow & Sleazy and MJ: Abo Mvelo
• Thozi featuring Khanyisa, Sphokuhla and PD Jokes: Sisonke
• Ch’cco, Mellow and Sleazy: Nkao Tempela
• Major League DJz, Nvcho and Mathandos: Bakwa Lah
• Nomfundo Moh: Phakade Lami
• DJ Maphorisa and Tyler ICU featuring Daliwonga: Banyana
• Young Stunna featuring Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa: Adiwele
• Costa Titch: Big Flexa