The competition for the 'Best Amapiano Album' award at the 32nd South African Music Awards (SAMA32) promises to be one of the most significant events of the evening, as leading artists in this genre vie for one of South Africa's most prestigious music awards.
Organizers' Comments
A representative from SAMA32, Unathi Gwida, emphasized that the 'Best Amapiano Album' category is a recognition of innovation, creative approach, and musical mastery. She added that all participating artists have made a substantial contribution to the global success of amapiano while maintaining a deep connection to South African culture.
Nominations in the Category
This competitive category features major figures of the genre such as Babalwa M with the album 'Acquiesce', Kabza De Small with 'Bab'Motha', De Mtuda with 'Mthuthuzeli', and Kelvin Momo, who received an impressive double nomination for his works 'Thato Ya Modimo' and 'N'wana Wa Mutsonga'.
Details of Participant Albums
Babalwa M presented 'Acquiesce', an album marking a new phase in her career. The project is based on the sound of private school amapiano and combines soulful performance with sincere storytelling. The album quickly topped the Apple Music charts in South Africa and surpassed 40 million streams within months. The artist described it as 'the art of humility without losing strength,' explaining that music became a space to express unspoken emotions during a period of personal reflection.
Kabza De Small returned with the album 'Bab'Motha', which goes beyond dance hits and explores a more contemplative side of his work. The title pays homage to leadership, wisdom, and spiritual guidance that continues to shape his life and music. The project merges traditional amapiano with the rising 3-Step movement, creating a sound that respects the genre's roots but remains open to the future. He noted: 'I think what makes 'Bab'Motha' special is the honesty. I didn't create it to chase hits.'
Released on Mandela Day, the album also carries a symbolic message of giving back, expanding the narrative possibilities in South African dance music.
De Mtuda is nominated for 'Mthuthuzeli', a project that embodies the producer's signature blend: soulful amapiano, deep house, jazz influence, and rhythms inspired by kwaito. The album made an immediate impact, debuting at number one on the Apple Music Top Albums chart and accumulating over 270,000 streams on Spotify in South Africa in just the first 24 hours.
Kelvin Momo's Achievements
Kelvin Momo made history by receiving two nominations in one category for 'Thato Ya Modimo' and 'N'wana Wa Mutsonga'. Both albums achieved commercial success, solidifying his position as one of amapiano's leading producers. 'Thato Ya Modimo', which translates to 'God's Will', marked a personal rebirth for the producer. Named after his birth name and inspired by a phrase often used by his mother and grandmother, the project reflects a return to his roots. He explained: 'So 'Thato Ya Modimo' is a home name. And also Thato is my rebirth from private school. It's just a continuation of the sound I haven't forgotten.'
This album broke records, gathering over 1.8 million streams on Spotify in the first day and entering the Spotify top 8 global albums. This was followed by 'N'wana Wa Mutsonga', another project built on his signature combination of deep house textures, jazz chords, and emotional melodies. It debuted at number one on the Apple Music South Africa chart and exceeded 10 million streams on Spotify by January 2026.
Significance of SAMA32
Gwida noted that the current nominees demonstrate how far amapiano has advanced. She reiterated that the 'Best Amapiano Album' category is a celebration of innovation, creativity, and musical perfection, and that recognition among the nominees is an outstanding achievement in itself. She also added that SAMA32's 'Homecoming Edition' aims not only to present trophies but also to celebrate the journey of South African music and solidify the North West province as a major musical hub.
The 32nd South African Music Awards ceremony will take place on August 15th at the Sun City Superbowl in the North West province. Tickets are available through Ticketpro.
