Reggae artists DIMAHR, Ras Canly and others compete for award at SAMA32

The 'Best Collaboration' category at the 32nd South African Music Awards (SAMA32) showcases the strength of teamwork in the amapiano and Afro-house genres. This category recognizes partnerships that shape contemporary South African music, as well as outstanding individual talents.

SAMA32 Award Concept

A SAMA representative, Unathi Gwida, noted that many significant compositions are born from the union of exceptional artists who share ideas, blend styles, and create something greater than the sum of its parts. The SAMA32 'Homecoming Edition' will take place on August 15th at the Sun City Superbowl in the North West province.

The awards honor not only stars but also the alliances that continue to influence South African music. Tickets for the event are available through Ticketpro. Gwida emphasized that this edition celebrates both outstanding individual abilities and the spirit of collaboration that fosters artistic innovation and musical excellence, while also strengthening the status of the North West province as a hub for music, culture, and entertainment in South Africa.

Nominations and Track Success

The nominees in this category demonstrate the power of joint work. They include tracks such as 'Abantwana Bakho' by DJ Maphorisa and XDuppy featuring Kabza De Small, Thatohatsi, Young Stunna, and Nkosazana Daughter; 'Dlala Ka Yona' by DJ Maphorisa and XDuppy with Enny Man Da Guitar, Focalistic, Ricky Lenyora, Uncool MC, Mellow, and Sleazy; 'Shela' by Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle, and Mano; 'Thandaza' by Sam Deep and Thatohatsi; and 'Tobetsa 3.0' by Myztro, Leehleza, Shaunmusiq, and Ftears.

The composition 'Abantwana Bakho' quickly gained popularity among amapiano fans, surpassing over 10 million streams on Spotify in a few months, cementing the positions of DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small as some of the country's most streamed artists. The track 'Dlala Ka Yona' became a hit in dance clubs and social media, garnering millions of views thanks to its video and audio release, and going viral through dance challenges on TikTok.

The song 'Shela' set a record by becoming the most streamed song in a single day on Spotify South Africa, accumulating over 455,000 streams on New Year's Eve. This multilingual track explores romance to the rhythms of amapiano, and its music video garnered over 10 million views on YouTube just a few months after its release.

The track 'Thandaza' offered a different approach, combining spiritual motifs with club beats. Released as a single from Sam Deep's album 'Who I Am', it reached the top spot on the Apple Music charts, and the album itself climbed into the top weekly Spotify charts. Its message of hope and faith resonated with listeners across the country. 'Tobetsa 3.0' continued the success of a series of songs that became a favorite at parties and festivals after months of announcements on social media.

The Significance of Collaborations in Music

The 'Best Collaboration' category recognizes not only commercial success but also the creative spark that arises from the joint work of artists from different styles and backgrounds. Such partnerships often bring new talents to a wider audience, inspire fresh sounds, and lead to songs that dominate playlists and dance floors. Whether a track is a club anthem, a love ballad, or an inspiring hymn of hope, the brightest musical moments of South Africa often arise from the combined efforts of artists.

Preparations for the 32nd South African Music Awards (SAMA32), presented by the Mocep Fund, are gaining momentum. Artists such as Simphiwe Dana, Madala Kunene, Sibusile Shaba, and others, representing the rich musical heritage of South Africa, are participating in the Best African Adult Contemporary Album nomination.

Nominations in the Adult Contemporary Category

Music icon Simphiwe Dana, who recently celebrated two decades of her career, leads this category alongside legendary guitarist Madala Kunene. This nomination features some of the most respected storytellers and musical innovators from South Africa.

Dana received a nomination for her highly acclaimed album Moya. This deeply introspective project marked her return to the spotlight and confirmed her status as one of the most influential voices in the genres of Afro-soul and jazz in the country.

Collaborative Projects and Competitors

Meanwhile, Kunene has teamed up with renowned guitarist Sibusile Shaba on the project KwaNtu. This collaboration bridges generations and celebrates the enduring beauty of indigenous African music.

The pair heads a talented list of nominees, which also includes Jabulile Madjola with the album 'Isitifiketi', Zawadi Yamungu with 'Ngimuhle', and BandaBanda with 'ZINZA'. Together they showcase a blend of established titans and contemporary artists, sustaining the vitality and relevance of African music in the Adult Contemporary genre.

Significance of Musical Heritage

According to SAMA representative Unathi Gvidzi, this category recognizes artists whose music preserves Africa's rich cultural heritage while embracing contemporary creativity. He noted that the nominees are masters of storytelling, whose music transcends generational boundaries by blending local sounds, strong lyrics, and modern production to create timeless works of art. These albums remind us that African music continues to evolve while remaining deeply connected to its roots.

Awards Ceremony

The winner will be announced at the SAMA32 Homecoming Edition ceremony, taking place on August 15th at the Sun City Superbowl, where one of South Africa's most beloved music genres will once again take center stage.

The weekend in Cape Town promises to present listeners with music from talented South African performers. Among the participants is Lloiso, who will showcase his powerful vocal abilities and R&B style sound.

Lloiso's Concert

Lloiso's appearance is linked to his success after participating in the show 'Idols South Africa'. Initially gaining attention through online performances, the singer managed to attract a global audience thanks to his emotional approach to R&B and soul genres. As part of the 'A Night with the Stars' event, the artist will take the stage again, performing songs that defined his career, including tracks beloved by fans as well as songs that introduced listeners outside of South Africa to his work.

Lloiso possesses a voice capable of transitioning from delicate, minimalist moments to strong vocal parts, creating a unique blend of the artist's vulnerability and confidence, finding its place on large stages. The event will give Cape Town residents the opportunity to see one of South Africa's most discussed vocalists, whose career has turned into international musical success.

Samthing Soweto's Performance

Samthing Soweto will present his work at the concert dedicated to the album 'Touch Is a Move: Good Morning'. He will guide the audience through the stories and memories embedded in this album, using music to trace moments of childhood, family bonds, love, and growing up in the kasi area. His performance will follow the rhythm of daily life, touching upon various emotions and experiences that shape our perception of ourselves and the world around us. Each song contributes to the overall picture, connecting personal memories with stories familiar to many South Africans.

Def Eff's Performance

Local artist Def Eff will perform as part of the Selective Live series. Def Eff's music is a fusion of hip-hop, jazz, and live instrumental accompaniment. With experience in lyricism, sound curation, and storytelling, his work focuses on themes of identity, love, and human experience. Def Eff's performance style combines wordplay, rhythm, and live music, offering the audience a modern take on hip-hop based on genre blending.