WeeklySA_AdminANTICIPATION: Tyla ups the stakes with five nominations while nod for Kwaito’s Sbu Malawyer gives the out-of-steam genre a new lease of life…
By Priscilla Malinga
Kwaito proponent Sbusiso Ntshangase, aka Sbu Malawyer, is excited to be nominated at the SAMA 30 for “Best Kwaito Album”, saying the development brings a good feeling, especially since people think that the genre is dead.
He believes that Kwaito is the source of the evolution of other genres. In a message to young artists, he says Kwaito is not dead but reborn in different genres, and that it must also be celebrated while they are still alive.
“It is good that I am being recognised as a legend with other Kwaito stars,” says Ntshangase. Other Kwaito artists like Arthur Mafokate and Zola are legends of, not just Kwaito, but the music industry. They are responsible for opening doors for new genres such as amapiano and Gqom.
Another artist who received a nomination is Luphelele Simamane, the award-winning Gqom producer known as General C’mamane and nominated for the best Gqom Album. He hails from Durban where the Gqom sub-culture originates, and adds that genre is renowned in Johannesburg and other regions. He expressed nervousness at the calibre of fellow nominees he has been nominated with, but confident that he will take it. He says doing sessions with big names such as DJ Tira and the late Mampintsha and the rest of the gang influenced him to be the artist that he is today and for that he is thankful.
“Gqom is a forced tempo and is fast compared to Amapiano, which is more chilled,” says Simamane. As expected, Tyla the international South African singing sensation, leads the pack with five nominations for “Best Collaboration” with Travis Scott for Water, “Best Pop Album”, “SAMPRA Album of the Year”, “Santam Newcomer Artist of the Year”, “Ukhozi FM Female Artist of the Year”, among others.
This year the awards celebrate 30 years and are scheduled to take place at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand on November 2. With the theme “Less Noise More Music”, SAMA30 underscore a renewed focus on artistry and creativity. The nomination process is a testament to the competitiveness and outstanding craftsmanship of the industry.
Hot on the heels of Tyla’s five nominations are Kabza De Small and Mthunzi, and Mbuso Khoza with three nods each. Kabza, the diminutive Amapiano maestro, is in the running for “Album of the Year”and Motsweding FM Best Amapiano Album” for Isimo and Radio 2000 duo/group of the year with Mthunzi for Isimo.
In “Ukhozi FM Female Artist of the Year” category, Tyla for Tyla faces stiff competition from Brenda Mtambo for Sane, Lwah Ndlunkulu for Imizwa, Lordkez for Testament and Xolly Mncwango for Unusual.
Artists and stakeholders in the music industry came out in numbers at the nominations event hosted by radio and television personality Luthando ‘Lootlove’ Shosha with performances by Zola 7 and Kuli Chana.
SAMA30 is sponsored by Motsepe Foundation, Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, SABC1; Santam, Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, SABC Radio, Sampra, Capasso and YouTube.
