artist

Msaki and Kamo Mphela are both nominated for the Female Artist of the Year Award for the 28th annual SAMAs. Images via Twitter @Msaki_ZA @Kamo_mphelaxx

Five powerhouses up for Female Artist of the Year at the SAMAs [listen]

The Female Artist of the Year category at the SAMAs is filled with fierce talent from a range of genres. Take a look at the nominees.

artist

Msaki and Kamo Mphela are both nominated for the Female Artist of the Year Award for the 28th annual SAMAs. Images via Twitter @Msaki_ZA @Kamo_mphelaxx

This year, the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) return to an in-person event after COVID-19 disrupted plans for 2021. Five incredible female artists are up for the hotly contested Female Artist of the Year Award. In celebration of Women’s Day on Tuesday 9 August, here is a quick look at which artists will be competing for the award. 

ALSO READ: Women’s Day: Mzansi’s celebrities share motivational messages

MSAKI – ‘PLATINUMB HEART BEATING’

Asanda Luaseni Mvana, popularly known as singer-songwriter Msaki, has wowed Mzansi with her heartfelt lyrics and incredible vocal range. The East London-born singer released her 18-track album, Platinumb Heart Beating, in November 2021 and has received rave reviews for songs like Mntakababa, Uthando Lwam and No Rainbow

Apart from the Female Artist of the Year Award, Msaki has also been nominated for Artist of the Year, Best Produced Album, Best Adult Contemporary Album and Best Collaboration for her song No Rainbow featuring Da Capo. 

LISTEN TO ‘NO RAINBOW’ HERE 

KHANYISILE MTHETWA – ‘AFRICAN BIRD’

Khanyisile Mthethwa is a flautist who performs with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2019. Mthetwa scored a mention on Mail & Guardian’s inspirational 200 Young South Africans list. 

The talented musician has scored a SAMA nomination for her 2021 album, African Bird. The 20-track album is a sonic experience as Mthetwa takes listeners on a journey with her flute. 

LISTEN TO ‘’WISH SONATINE’ HERE 

ALSO READ: Katlego Maboe’s ‘Expresso’ backlash: ‘How we celebrate Women’s Day?’

KAMO MPHELA – ‘NKULUNKULU’

Kamo Mphela, who has been dubbed the “Queen of Amapiano”, rose to popularity after videos of her dancing went viral in 2019. Three years later, Mphela is now one of Mzansi’s top amapiano stars. The energetic artist has been nominated for the Female Artist of the Year Award at the SAMAs for her EP, Nkulunkulu

The four-track EP features incredible tracks like 100 Shooter, Percy Tau and the title track of the album, which was certified platinum in 2021. 

WATCH THE ‘NKULUNKULU’ MUSIC VIDEO HERE 

REIGN AFRIKA – ‘TRAILBLAZER’

Tsoseletso Motsepe, better known as Reign Afrika, is celebrating her second consecutive nomination in the Female of the Year category at the SAMAs. The reggae and dancehall musician has been nominated for her 14-track album, Trailblazer

The album has two features SA hip-hop star PdotO and Jamaican artist Sizzla Kalonji. 

LISTEN TO ‘FROM ME’ HERE 

SHEKHINAH – ‘TROUBLE IN PARADISE’ 

Rounding up the nominees for Female Artist of the Year is R&B songbird, Shekhinah. After a four-year hiatus from music, the Durban-born singer-songwriter released her album, Trouble In Paradise

The 12-track album included exceptional tracks like Questions, Fixate, Fall Apart and Tides

LISTEN TO ‘FIXATE’ HERE 

This Women’s Month, we are calling all young female writers to join our exciting Women in Journalism initiative. Find out more here!