The South African Music Awards (SAMAs) are back in Sun City, and order is being restored.
The prestigious music awards were last in the North West in 2022, and now, after what feels like forever, music royalty has invaded Sun City Resort.
SAMAs being in Sun City allows for the awards to happen over two nights – industry awards and the big main event.
Night one was hosted by rapper, actress and presenter Anele Zondo, who is booked and busy from hosting the Basadi in Music Awards to Gert Johan Coetzee perfume launches.
Langa Mavuso took home Best Produced Album for “Therapy: The Other Side,” an album that took three years to create after his partner died.
It may have been a difficult project to create, but having the support of his entire team allowed Langa Mavuso it creat something that meant something to him.
“It was about hopefulness, it was about truth, and for the first time in my life, I allowed the people to come in and join me in the process.”
When it came to producing the album, Langa Mavuso collaborated with a diverse group of producers, young and old, that left him grateful.
He does, however, admit that it was difficult letting his collaborators in, but “beautiful things happen from a place of discomfort”.
Lordkez’s winning streak continued, winning Best R&B for her album “You, Me & The 90’s”.
Following her debut album, Lordkez wanted to create the type of music she grew up listening to and being born in 1999, she considers herself a 90s baby and R&B is among her first memories of music.
The “Aweh” hitmaker reflected on the changes in her career, going from feeling overlooked to being in a season of being overbooked. She encouraged another young person who might be feeling that way to stay true to themselves.
Some of the night’s biggest winners included Simphiwe Dana, Jazzwrld and, Thukuthela, and Francois van Coke, who were not in attendance; it seems some things have not changed as yet, with artists still missing in action.
Winners for categories: Best Classical/Instrumental album, Best Contemporary Faith Music Album, Best Rock Album, Best Produced Album, Best Reggae, Best Gqom and Best Engineered album were announced.
IOL
