Samas

The Samas are celebrating a record number of entries for the 28th annual awards. Image via Facebook South African Music Awards (Samas)

History! Samas celebrate record number of entries for 2022

The Samas have received over 1 300 entries for the 28th annual awards. The nominees are set to be announced in April.

Samas

The Samas are celebrating a record number of entries for the 28th annual awards. Image via Facebook South African Music Awards (Samas)

Entries for the 28th annual South African Music Awards (Samas) closed on Thursday 3 February at midnight. In a statement sent to TshisaLive, the organisation said they received 1 395 entries which is the highest amount ever recorded. 

A RECORD NUMBER OF ENTRIES FOR THE SAMAS 

In 2021, the Samas received 1 163 entries for the awards. This year, the Samas have received a total of 1 395 entries, which is the highest amount ever received. There were 180 entries recorded for the Best Collaboration category and 179 for the Best Hip Hop Album category. 

Entries opened on Wednesday 1 December and were scheduled to close on Monday 31 January but entries were extended to Thursday 3 February.

On this exciting news, the Recording Industry of South Africa’s chief executive officer, Nhlanhla Sibisi told TshisaLive that the news was certainly worth celebrating. 

“The Samas continue to go from strength to strength with the buy-in and support of music industry practitioners and fans.”

“I’m proud that we managed to build on last year’s gains and the upward trajectory continues,” said Sibisi. 

The nominees in each category are selected by a panel of judges that is mostly made of industry practitioners. The nominees for this year’s Samas are set to be announced in April.

KABZA DE SMALL DOMINATES 2021 SAMAS

The “King of amapiano” aka Kabza De Small was the big winner at the 27th annual Samas. The awards, hosted by Lawrence Maleka and Bontle Modiselle Moloi, saw Kabza De Small pick up four awards. 

The amapiano giant won the Male Artist of the Year awards as well as Album of the Year with his partner-in-crime, DJ Maphorisa, for their album Once Upon A Time in Lockdown

The pair also won the first-ever Best Amapiano Album award for the album. 

ALSO READ: #Sama27: Matthew Mole on winning Record of the Year [watch]

BLAQ DIAMOND MAKE HISTORY 

Dynamic duo Blaq Diamond made Sama history last year. The duo, signed to Ambitiouz Entertainment, was the first duo to win the Artist of the Year award. The pair also scooped an award for Miss Pru’s Price to Pay which also featured Malome Vector. 

The track scored the Music Video of the Year award. 

WATCH THE ‘PRICE TO PAY’ MUSIC VIDEO HERE