South African Music Awards see increase in entries

This is the second time the organisers have released a complete list of entries to the public. The full list can be viewed here.

The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA), which organises the SAMAs, attributed the increase to the confidence artists had in the integrity and prestige of the awards.

“We are still committed to the practice of openness and transparency and a fair selection process," RiSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi said. "We release these entries for the industry and music supporters to be kept abreast of the developments as we progress through the stages of the SAMAs. We also do so to avoid any surprises when we announce the final nomination list in the next few weeks.”

Sibisi praised artists and industry professionals for supporting the SAMAs. “We are thankful that year after year, the industry gives us a thumbs up knowing that this is a platform that celebrates worthy talent. As we head into the 24th edition of the SAMAs, we are confident of our credibility and take pride in our longstanding track record that speaks for itself.”

Best Music Video of the Year is the most popular category with 127 entries, followed by Best Collaboration, which received 100 submissions. Best Produced Album stands at 86 while Best Dance Album boasts 53 entries.

Other competitive categories are Best Engineered Album (42 entries), Best Hip Hop Album (26 entries), Best Alternative Music Album (25 entries) and Beste Kontemporere Musiek Album (20 entries).

The jazz category registered an impressive uptake of 25 entries, while Best Kwaito Album received eight submissions. Best Contemporary Faith Music Album will be a battleground for 30 entrants while Best African Adult Contemporary Album will see 21 acts fight it out for a nod.

Best Traditional Faith Music Album and The Rhythms of Maskandi categories have 21 and 16 submissions respectively. The Best African Artist Album category moved significantly from six last year to an impressive 30 this time around.

The organisers said they would release five nominees in each category as voted for by a panel of judges and verified by an independent audit firm.