Kabza De Small has had the most impressive music industry breakthrough of the last couple of years. And now amapiano’s most booked hit producer has garnered himself the most SAMA27 nods. This year’s nominations were announced on Wednesday, May 20th, with segments broadcast between 18:00 and 21;30.

His album I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust proved to be prophetic as he walked away with nods in Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Best Amapiano Album. Once Upon A Time in Lockdown, his collaboration with DJ Maphorisa (Scorpion Kings) also secured nods in Duo / Group of the Year, Album of the Year and Best Amapiano Album bringing his tally to six nominations.

Hot on the heels of Kabza De Small is Sun-El Musician. He proved his versatility with three projects earning him five nods in Male artist of the year (To the world and beyond),Best Dance (To the world and beyond), Best Live Audio Visual of the Year (A Journey To The World And Beyond); Best Produced Album of the Year (Tugela Fairy: Made of Stars by Simmy); and Remix of the Year (Sala Nabani).

Gospel supernova Bucy Radebe took home four nominations for Sofnfree Female Artist of the Year, White Star Newcomer of the Year, Best Traditional Faith Music Album and Best Live AudioVisual Recording of the Year for Spiritual Encounter.

Bucy faces fierce competition in the Sofnfree Female Artist of the Year category where she competes with Reign Africa (On The Frontline); Sho Madjozi (What a Life); Nomcebo Zikode (Xola Moya Wam’); and Hle (Your Kingdom on Earth).

On the White Star Newcomer of the Year front Bucy goes up against Xolly Mncwango (Jesus is Enough); Reign Africa (On The Frontline); BandaBanda & the Crocodiles (Africado); and Azana (Ingoma).

Reggae vocalist Bongo Riot earned three nominations for Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Best Reggae Album.

Amapiano artist Junior Taurus booked a spot for himself in Album of the Year for his album Back to Love is in the running for Album of the Year up against Persistence (Bongo Riot); The Healers: The Last Chapter (Black Motion); Once Upon A Time In Lockdown (Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa (Scorpion Kings). Junior Taurus is also up for Male Artist of the Year alongside Sun-El Musician (To The World & Beyond); Bongo Riot (Persistence); Kabza De Small (I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust); and Oscar Mbo (For the Groovists).
One of the new categories introduced at SAMA27, Best Amapiano Album, yielded a competitive race with Junior Taurus (Back to Love) taking on MFR Souls (Musical Kings); Kabza De Small (I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust); Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa (Scorpion Kings) (Once Upon A Time In Lockdown); and Mas Musiq & Aymos (Shonamalanga). At three nominations, Junior Taurus is one of the most nominated artists.

Best Gqom Album sees Babes Wodumo (Idando Kazi) take on Que (We Don’t Play the Same Gqom); Mshayi & Mr Thela (Make Cape Town Great Again); DragerNation (Isiqalo); and Zinaro (InzaloYekwaito).

The Best Hip Hop Album category is a clash of the titans as Boity (4436) goes to battle with Nasty C (Zulu With Some Power); Yanga Chief (Popstar); Nadia Nakai (Nadia Naked II); and Zakwe & Duncan (Zakwe & Duncan).

In the Best Dance Album Nomcebo Zikode (Xola Moya Wam’) takes on an all male line up of Sun-El Musician (To The World & Beyond), Oscar Mbo (For The Goovists); Black Motion (The Healers: The Last Chapter); and Mi Casa (We Made It).

Thandi Ntuli (Live at Jazzwerkstatt) is the only woman nominated for the Best Jazz Album. She goes up against BandaBanda & The Crocodiles (Africado); Linda Sikhakhane (An Open Dialogue); Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane (iHubo Labomdabu); and Nduduzo Makhathini (Modes of Communication: Letters From The Underworlds).

New talent shines the brightest. Reign Africa, enjoyed an impressive streak with three nods for Sofnfree Female Artist of the Year, White Star Newcomer of the Year, Best Reggae Album for On The Frontline. Hle bagged Best Contemporary Faith Music Album, Sofnfree Female Artist of the Year and Best Live Audio Visual Recording of the Year for Your Kingdom on Earth. Azana vies for White Star Newcomer of the Year and Best Afropop Album for Ingoma while Xolly Mncwango stakes her claim in White Star Newcomer of the Year and Best Contemporary Faith Album for Jesus is Enough.

LIST OF NOMINATIONS

Album of the Year
Persistence – Bongo Riot
The Healers: The Last Chapter – Black Motion
Once Upon A Time in Lockdown – Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa (Scorpion Kings)
I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust – Kabza De Small
Back to Love – Junior Taurus

Duo / Group of the Year
Ama Roto EP – Reece Madlisa & Zuma
Musical Kings – MFR Souls
Once Upon A Time in Lockdown – Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa (Scorpion Kings)
Shonamalanga – Mas Musiq & Aymos
We Made It – Mi Casa

Sofnfree Female Artist of the Year
On the Frontline – Reign Africa
Spiritual Encounter – Bucy Radebe
What a Life – Sho Madjozi
Xola Moya Wam’ – Nomcebo Zikode
Your Kingdom on Earth – Hle

Male Artist of the Year
To The World & Beyond – Sun-El Musician
Persistence – Bongo Riot
I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust – Kabza De Small
For the Groovists – Oscar Mbo
Back to Love – Junior Taurus

White Star Newcomer of the Year
Jesus is Enough – Xolly Mncwango
On the Frontline – Reign Africa
Africado – BandaBanda & The Crocodiles
Ingoma – Azana
Spiritual Encounter – Bucy Radebe

Best Rock Album
Chrome Neon Jesus – Ethyl Ether
Here’s to the Now – Nathan Smith
Orange Sunshine – Yum Yuck
The Devils Cattle – Ruff Majik
Nothing’s Gonna Change – Oooth

Best Pop Album
11:11 – Rowlene
I Don’t Sleep – Jethro Tait
Tribes & Angels – Locnville
Sugar – Mark Stent
She – Amy Lilley

Beste Pop Album
2021 – Die Heuwels Fantasties
Die Toekoms is Synth – Synth Peter
Twintig20 – Brendan Peyper
Gewigloos – Juan Boucher
Gemaklik  Verlore – Christa Visser

Best Adult Contemporary Album
In the Kingdom of the Aloes – amaFranx
Repaired – Jack Atlantic
Rise – Ndlovu Youth Choir
Take Me To The River – Connell Cruise
The South African Songbook – Kurt Darren & The Soweto Gospel Choir

Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album
Wandel in my Woning – Refentse
Herverbeel – Die Heuwels Fantasties
Net Geleen – Bernice West
Monumentaal – Ruhan Du Toit
Spontaan – Riaan Benadê

Best African Adult Contemporary Album
Umsebenzi – Sjava
Isambulo – 1020 Cartel Artists
Amakhaya – Max – Hoba
Bamako – Simphiwe Dana
Buhlebendalo – Chosi

Best Alternative Music Album
Mania/Post Mania – Yellow House
iimini – Bongeziwe Mabandla
Hot Mess – Evert Snyman
Filth and Wisdom – The Medicine Dolls
Ebusuku – Th&o

Best R&B/Soul Album
A Force To Be Reckoned With – Thando
LANGA – Langa Mavuso
Sindisiwe – LaSauce
Small World – Ricky Tyler
Uhambo – Soul Kulture

Best Hip Hop Album
4436 – Boity
Nadia Naked II – Nadia Nakai
Zulu With Some Power – Nasty C
POPSTAR – Yanga Chief
Zakwe & Duncan – Zakwe & Duncan

Best Kwaito Album
Sgubhu OverDoze – Lvovo & Danger
Endaweni – Darkie Fiction
Don’t Lose Hope – Sukiripapa
Bhut’Madlisa – Mampintsha
Ama Roto EP – Reece Madlisa & Zuma

Best Dance Album
To The World & Beyond – Sun-El Musician
For The Groovists – Oscar Mbo
Xola Moya Wam’ – Nomcebo Zikode
The Healers: The Last Chapter – Black Motion
We Made It – Mi Casa

Best Traditional Faith Music Album
Project 17 – Chapter 2 – Worship House
Buya Nkosi – Thinah Zungu
Spiritual Encounter – Bucy Radebe
Wathi Eloyi Eloyi – Sipho Makhabane
Izulu – Sneziey

Best Contemporary Faith Music Album
Devotion – Nqubeko Mbatha
Face 2 Face – Collen Maluleke
Jesus is Enough – Xolly Mncwango
Your Kingdom on Earth – Hle
The Promised Revival Part One – Tshwane Gospel Choir

Best African Indigenous Faith Music Album
Makhosi Akithi – Vuma Zion
Izwi Lakho – Mandlethu Gospel Singers
Katlehong Gospel Choir Artist Development – Katlehong Gospel Choir Artist Development
Sithembe Wena Nkosi – JTG Gospel Choir
Enyokumkhonza – Enyonini Mission Ministries

Rest of Africa Award
Unity Album – Buffalo Souljah
A Better Time – Davido
Made in Lagos – Wizkid
Midnight Train – Sauti Sol
Songs in the Key of Love – Berita

Best Traditional Album
Love and War – Henny C
What a Life – Sho Madjozi
Angeke Bakuthande Boke – Smangele
Shebeen Queen – Vusi Mahlasela
Ndavhuko – Vendaboy Poet

Best Maskandi
Amagupta – iChwane Lebhaca
Ziyangiluma Izinja – Phuzekhemisi
Iqatha Eliziqobayo – Thokozani Langa
Banathi Shaqa – Imithente
Imfene Kamakhelwane – Abafana Baka Mgqumeni

Best Jazz Album
Africado – BandaBanda & The Crocodiles
An Open Dialogue – Linda Sikhakhane
iHubo Labomdabu – Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane
Modes of Communication: Letters From The Underworlds – Nduduzo Makhathini
Thandi Ntuli (Live at Jazzwerkstatt) – Thandi Ntuli

Best Classical/Instrumental Album
Live in Cape Town – Guy Battery & Derek Gripper
Imagine – Charles du Plessis Trio
Live in Lisbon – Nibs van der Spuy and Guy Battery
Tek’o – CH2
We’ve All Known The Times – Wouter Kellerman

Best Afro Pop Album
Ingoma – Azana
Molimo – Manu Worldstar
Ngumama – Vusi Nova
The Voice of Africa – Kelly Khumalo
Tugela Fairy: Made of Stars – Simmy

Best Live Audio Visual Recording of the Year
Your Kingdom on Earth – Hle
The Throne (Live Edition) – Presss
Spiritual Encounter – Bucy Radebe
My Hart Klop Refentse – Refentse
A Journey to the World & Beyond – Sun-El Musician

Best Collaboration
Uthando – Darque featuring Zakes Bantwini
Ek Like Hoe Jy Dans – Chê featuring Snotkop
Mali Eningi – Big Zulu featuring Riky Rick & Intaba Yase Dubai
Senzeni – Mthandazo Gatya featuring Comado & DJ Manzo SA
Yehla Moya – Da Capo & Nduduzo Makhathini featuring Omagugu

Best Produced Music Video
Where is the DJ by Malumz on Decks featuring Khanyisa – Oscar Nyathi
Qhawe – Made to Create by Toya Delazy – Kyle Lewis & Vjorn Tucker
Mamela by Mi Casa – Katya Abedian
Lucky Star by K.O – Adam Zackon & Dale Fortune
Hosh by Prince Kaybee featuring Sir Trill – Ofentse

Best Produced Album of the Year
In the Beginning was the End by Manana – Manana & Noble
Ithemba by Luyolo – Marcus MC & Andy Keys
Umsebenzi by Sjava – Delaydem, Ruff, Webmoms, Zadok &Vuyo Manyike
Tugela Fairy: Made of Stars by Simmy – Sun-El Musician, Claudio Wayde, Da Capo, Mpho Mohlolong
The Healers: The Last Chapter – Black Motion

Best Engineered Album of the Year
Swingle Bells by Jonathan Roxmouth – Adam Howard
Goodluck Upclose by Goodluck – Murray Anderson & Andrew Rawborn
Isambulo by 1020 Cartel Artists – Mfanafuthi Ruff
The Second Coming by Kid Tini – James Smals, Kitie, Ron Epidemic & Tweezy
Inganekwane by Zoe Modiga – Papi Diretsi & Songo Oyama

Remix of the Year
Jerusalema – Kid Fonque
Ndanele – Dwson
Sala Nabani – Sun-El Musician, Claudio & Kenza
Speak Lord – Sculpturedmusic
Yehla Moya – Da Capo

Best Reggae Album
The Journey – Ras Canly
Persistence – Bongo Riot
My Music – Freeky
On the Frontline – Reign Africa
Empathy Riddim – Lavoro Duro

Best Amapiano Album
Musical Kings – MFR Souls
Back to Love – Junior Taurus
I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust – Kabza De Small
Once Upon A Time In Lockdown – Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa (Scorpion Kings)
Shonamalanga – Mas Musiq & Aymos

Best Gqom Album
We Don’t Play the Same Gqom – Que
Make Cape Town Great Again – Mshayi & Mr Thela
Isiqalo – DragerNation
InzaloYekwaito – Zinaro
Idando Kazi – Babes Wodumo

Emtee on Friday delighted fans with the premiere of his long awaited fourth studio album, ‘Logan‘. It’s a triumphant return to the radar, marking the rapper’s victory in sustaining his glow beyond the drama that came with his departure from Ambitiouz. The album has already reached #1 on Apple Music across all genres. Numbers don’t lie.

‘Logan’ contains a smooth set of 16 new tracks, across which the rapper decks an autobiographical sonic landscape. He’s one of the most talked about public figures in South Africa, often with intimate details of his personal life being splashed all over the media.

And as an artist should, Emtee remains both hustle-hot and vulnerable, slowing down the tempo to rap through personal themes of family, public scrutiny and spirituality. Its fitting the album is named Logan after one of his children. It’s a full circle moment, as this personal touch first started with ‘Avery’, the critically lauded project that propelled his career to top peaks.

“Logan like my first album Avery is named after my son Logan, who is Avery’s little brother”, he says in a statement. “I embrace fatherhood and the journey of watching both my sons grow and evolve in life. I always try my best to involve my children in my journey as an artist for them to understand the ins and outs of what I do.”

In his first project since leaving Ambitiouz Entertainment, eMtee sounds hopeful. The mellow, trap-leaning production is helmed by long-time producer Ruff and up-and-coming producers such as KnifeBeatz, BFB and Master BC.

They create the perfect soundscape for the South African trap pioneer to muse about overcoming his troubles and vouching for his bright future. Named after his second child, LOGAN joins a catalogue that’s built on valuing family and companionship.

eMtee’s latest body of work speaks to living his purpose and emerging victorious through life’s challenges. He shares: “I got to a point where I needed to focus and just see who has my best interests at heart, and I didn’t look too far because of the love I get at home.”

Adding, “Logan is an indication of how much I love my family and I am honoring them now, so my appreciation reflects in their lifetime.”

eMtee’s dexterity shines as he raps and sings in both English and South African languages isiZulu, isiXhosa and tsotsitaal (township slang). The album presents a self-assured eMtee who’s in his comfort zone musically, seamlessly consolidating his influences, which range from Afropop to R&B, Kwaito and others. “I don’t like to categorise myself as just a rapper,” he says, “so in my albums, you hear different sounds, cadences and deliveries.”

EMTEE BREAKS DOWN THE TRACKS ON LOGAN

“Revolutionary”

“As the intro to the project, it has no chorus; I’m introducing the project and reintroducing myself. This way people get an idea of the direction of the album.”

“Logan”

“I named it after and dedicated it to my son, just like I did on my first album.”

“Long Way”

“This is a love song. I’m very much into lingo, and sometimes people can’t really understand some of the things I’m saying. When we say ‘long way’, it’s a way of extending ‘I love you’. Some people add ‘a lot’, or say, ‘I love you to the moon and back,’ or whatever; I say, ‘A long way.’ The song’s dedicated to my wife; we’ve been together since 2012. She has been very helpful in my life and career.”

“Pressure”

“A lot of people always ask me if I’m okay, or if everything is all right, and I always tell them, ‘Everything is cool.’ Not because I’m acting tough, but because I’ve been through so much that I don’t really feel pressure the way a normal person would under certain circumstances. Some people think they’re pressuring me, but it’s not really working. I go at my own pace and do my own thing; it always seems to work out.”

“Wave”

“‘Wave’ is just letting people know that I don’t ride waves—I am the wave. I came from a different type of generation of people who are not so much liked but are still going on. I represent that group of kids, and the things we do. Certain things are happening today because of me, and a lot of people don’t know that. I choose to stay in my humble corner.”

“iThemba”

“‘iThemba’ is straightforward: ‘Don’t lose hope.’ We have so many odds to beat right now, and I just felt that since I’m an inspiration to the youth, let me give them some hope.”

“Uzoyimela” (feat. Gwamba)

“‘Uzoyimela’ is from a term that a lot of us in South Africa use—‘Way’susa uzoy’mela’, which loosely translates to ‘Don’t start something you can’t handle’. I’m not someone who’s looking for trouble. I’m just letting people know that whatever you start, you gotta also finish. [Malawian rapper] Gwamba is a friend of mine. It’s the second record we did together; he featured me on his record ‘Own Time’. I felt like it’s only right to have that African element on the album. I don’t understand what he’s saying, but I know there’s a lot of Africans who do.”

“Slide”

“‘Slide’ is another term for ‘pull up’ or ‘come through’. I feel like being outside and sliding on my friends, and sliding on my enemies; flexing on them as well; stuff like that. I miss being outside.”

“Johustleburg”

“‘Johustleburg’, that’s the city [of Johannesburg]. There’s a lot of prominent household names that have a lot of crazy stories to tell you about the city; I’m not the only one. So I feel like it’s only right to represent the city in a positive way. Not that I’ve never seen flames in the city—I have; but at the same time, it’s a beautiful place. You get to connect. And being out here just makes everything easier. A lot of things wouldn’t be done as quickly in another city as they are being done here.”

“Brand New Day” (feat. Lolli Native)

“Here, we’re motivating and inspiring people, and letting them know that it doesn’t matter—you can fall as many times as you want, but what matters is how many times you get up. Letting them know that tomorrow’s a brand-new day; it’s like a second chance for you to try again. Keep going. Lolli is an Emtee Records signee. I like his sound; you can feel it in the lyrics and in the tone of his voice. That’s what I like, and the fact that he’s always open to learn.”

“Where I’m At”

“Things are no longer the same as before, where I would knock on 10 doors and only two would open. Nowadays it’s a bit different, so the song’s about my growth.”

“Saam Sokol’” (feat. Moozlie)

“This is a full-on kwaito song. A lot of people don’t know, but when I first started off, my first attraction was kwaito. But I grew with the times, because I was also not shy to test out new sounds. Experimenting made me the trapper that I am today. I love M’DU [whose 1999 song ‘Bab’uGovernment’ is sampled here]; shout-out to him for giving us the blessing with the song. The song was recorded two or three years ago; it’s been sitting there. Recently, I went back to it and finished it, and I felt like the sound is Moozlie’s niche.”

“Family”

“‘Family’ was produced by Young2unn. I dedicate the song to my own family that I started, and also just to teach everybody else the importance of family.”

“All my life”

“I drew a lot of inspiration for this one from ‘All My Life’ by Nipsey Hussle. I looked up to him in a major way. People don’t know, but I’ve been a follower, and also sort of got my name, Emtee Da Hustler, from him. He was from LA and was of African descent; I always respect people who come from Africa and go out there and make a name for themselves. Just go out there, penetrate, and make their time worthwhile. I like that very much. He was also a hustler. I also have dreams of opening a shopping complex and other business ventures.”

“Laqhasha” (feat. Lolli Native & Flash Ikumkani)

“Laqhasha, the villain of the ’90s South African sitcom Sgudi ‘Snaysi, didn’t appear much, but he was so interesting, and just made the show spicy. He was a loan shark, he was always running money for his cousins. For a lot of people, that was the highlight of the show. During a time where we had just came from oppression, this was like a new South Africa. We also got to see one of, if not the first, local Black sitcom that talks about the hood and how we live in the hood, and stuff like that. So, shout-out to the OG.”

“Come Closer” (feat. J-Smash)

“J-Smash played me the beat, and told me it was for his project. And I asked him to please give me the song, and he did. I decided I’d add him as a feature on there for giving me the beat, as a shout-out.”

Discover New Music, Exclusive Interviews and Album Reviews on QuenchSA.com!

It’s been a tricky year for music events, but the show must go on. And the ‘Friends of Amstel’ concert has shifted along with the stay-home landscape to deliver its first virtual experience with a solid line-up of performers.

Music lovers will be delighted to learn that Wizkid will is amongst this year’s list of performers. Wiz is lauded for his artistry in effortlessly blending Afrobeats sounds with Hip Hop, R&B and Dancehall. The Nigerian-born star has partnered with the likes of Drake, Burna Boy, and Damian Marley to name a few. His latest project ‘Made in Lagos’ broke several African streaming records and he is set to bring that fire to the concert.

He’s just as thrilled as we are, promising fans a real turn up.

“I love South Africa, I am grateful for the support my fans give me and we are going to turn up together”, he said through a press statement. “With so many events now held online, this festival is exciting, and I cannot wait to see all the other acts perform, thank you Amstel for this great platform.”

The Afrobeats megastar appears alongside the likes of DBN GOGO and Dinho; music power couple Lamiez Holworthy and Khuli Chana;  DJ LeSoul, Cairo, Spokenpriestess, Zai Maya and Focalistic. 

The Friends of Amstel energy comes every Saturday on Channel O, premiering on 27 March 2021 at 14:00 with Sunday repeats at 13:00. Beats will be coming to Africa through three weekly performances by the talented house duo DBN GOGO and Dinho; music power couple Lamiez Holworthy and Khuli Chana;  DJ LeSoul, Cairo, Spokenpriestess, Zai Maya and Focalistic. And of course, global superstar, WizKid!

The Channel O broadcasts will serve as a lead up to the main FRIENDS OF AMSTEL SA Live Festival to be held later this year.  At the same time, The Friends of Amstel platform will be activated in other African regions, including Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Burundi.

Discover New Music, Exclusive Interviews and Album Reviews on QuenchSA.com!