SAMAs receive most entries since first edition in ‘94

According to SAMAs organiser the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA), a total of 1 163 entries were received ahead of the 2021 SAMAs in May/June.

“We are greatly encouraged by this huge number of entries that came despite the challenges we faced as a nation from the COVID-19 pandemic to economic woes and loss of income, especially in the creative sector,” RiSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi said.

“We are humbled that the industry has voted in overwhelmingly great numbers that they believe the SAMAs have a place in their careers and the industry they operate in.”

He added: “This has been an incredible and successful drive, congratulations to the team at the SAMAs and best wishes to the musicians who have brought their names forward.”

The Best Collaboration category received the most entries with 170 followed by the newly introduced Best Amapiano Album category with 63 entries. The Best Kwaito Album and Best Gqom Album categories got 19 and 14 entries, respectively. 

RiSA said the SAMAs had seen an upward trajectory in the number of entries in the past five years. It said it would now vet this year’s entries, a process that would be conducted by an independent committee of industry professionals. 

“This will be followed by a judging process by independent panellists as selected by the industry committees,” RiSA said. ”The list of nominated artists will be made public in April. The industry responded positively to the call for entries by the SAMAs that started in November 2020 and ended at midnight on 31 January 2021.

“The rallying call was that the SAMAs are inclusive and fair, and that music is judged on its merits by reputable music industry experts. Musicians from all genres, persuasions and influences have thrown their names in the proverbial hat to be considered for the much sought-after SAMA trophy.”