Amapiano star Kelvin Momo and jazz artist Thandiswa Mazwai have each scored three nominations for the 2025 South African Music Awards.
This news comes as the Recording Industry of South Africa has officially unveiled the nominees for the 2025 South African Music Awards (SAMA31).
The nominees’ announcement was hosted at a modest gathering at Rockets restaurant in the north of Johannesburg with an audience of industry stakeholders and a handful of artists.
The event was also streamed live on social media.
The top five categories remain under wraps and will be revealed in September, ensuring the build-up to the big night stays electric.
The SAMAs’ main event will return in an evolved hybrid format in November under the theme “Less Noise. More Music”.
They will blend the magic of a live, in-person ceremony with the reach and dynamism of a virtual broadcast.
Producer Thabo Kelvin Ledwaba, fondly known as Kelvin Momo, bagged the nominations for Best Amapiano Album for Sewe and Ntsako. He was nominated for Best Collaboration (Ntsako).
“I appreciate the recognition. It means we are doing something right,” he said.
Momo’s project, Ntsako, is a 24-track body of work that is emotionally charged with A-list features.
Private School Piano
Although he has earned himself a reputation as a “no-show” for some events and bookings, his fans have remained loyal to his sound dubbed “Private School Piano”.
Thandiswa Mazwai has been nominated for Best Produced Album, Best Engineered Album, and Best Adult Contemporary Album for Sankofa.
“I am honoured,” said Mzawai.
In June, Mazwai celebrated a year since the release of Sankofa.
“Sankofa, in the Ghanaian language Twi, means to go back and fetch what’s been left behind for healing,” she explained.
The project was recorded in South Africa, Dakar, and New York.
Her album combines archival traditional isiXhosa sounds, jazz, and West African rhythms.
Limpopo singer Makhadzi bagged one nomination for Best Traditional Album (Miracle Child).
Zama Jobe made it to the list for her comeback project, Umi, after almost 12 years of being away from the limelight.
Unati Gwija, SAMAs spokesperson, said, “This year’s nominations form a symphony of South African sound, a playlist that celebrates not only genres but the journeys behind them,” he expressed.
“It is the wisdom of age meeting the exuberance of youth, as emerging voices and established icons go head-to-head across categories.”
THE FULL LIST OF NOMINEES
Best Adult Contemporary Album
An African Christmas – Just 6
Seven – Melanie Scholtz
Room For Everyone – Tony Drake Anthony
Nonyezi – Nue Sam
Look At You Now – The Morning After
Best African Adult Contemporary Album
UMI – Zamajobe Zama
Sankofa – Thandiswa Mazwai
Nomthandazo – Zoe Modiga
Isibusiso Sami – Ndu Shezi
Indumiso YabeNguni – Mthuthu
Best Afro Pop Album
Twenty Four – Nomfundo Moh
Malik – Malik
Isibuko (Deluxe) – Sjava
Inkanyezi (Live) – Sjava
Collaborations With Friends – Dalom Kids Montana Thokozai Mhlongo
Best Alternative Album
Unyazi – Yoav & Jabulile Majola
Perspective: Black – Zādok
Hindsight 2020 – Francis Soal
Emlotheni Th&o. – Thando Kunene
Berge – Spoegwolf
Best Amapiano Album
Your Piano Is Not My Piano – Vigro Deep
Sewe – Kelvin Momo
Ntsako – Kelvin Momo
Midnight in Sunnyside 3 – Mellow & Sleazy
Inja Ye Game – Zee Nxumalo
Best Classical/Instrumental Album
In the morning – John Lundun
By Alle Skone Dinge – Chris Vale, Eugene Joubert & Franco Prinsloo, Marlize Hattingh
Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper – Derek Gripper
A Season in Paradise – Vox Chamber Choir & Franco Prinsloo
Awake for 22 Hours – Orecchiette
Best Collaboration
Waze Wamuhle – Kelvin Momo
Takala – Black Motion
Ematshwaleni – Kususa
Stay With Me – Matt Davies
Mas Musiq, Lawd Weezy & DJ Maphorisa ft TO Starquality, Chley & Kabza De Small – Amalanga Mas Musiq
Best Dance Album
The Cradle Of Art – Black Motion
Finally Famous Too – Dlala Thukzin
Cr4zy!!… – MÖRDA
Dreaming – Shimza
Caiiro – Caiiro Patrick Mthimunye
Best Engineered Album
The Cradle Of Art – Black Motion
Sankofa – Thandiswa Mazwai
Isibuko (Deluxe) – Sjava
Reawakening – Keenan Meyer
Feathers & Stone – Jeremy Loops
Best Gqom Album
Tronics Land 3 – Mr Thela
The Rebellion – DJ Lag
Play At Your Own Risk – Goldmax
NANDE 3.0 – DJ Sandiso
Next Level – Lelowhatsgood
Best Hip Hop Album
See You Soon Delux – Blxckie
Red October: Induction – Tony Dayimane
Pray for Tori – Loatinover Pounds
Audio 2D: Dear Darkie – Sizwe Alakine
Loyal To The Plug: The Life & Times of Don Kilograms – 25K
Best Jazz Album
uNomkhubulwane – Nduduzo Makhathini
Terra Solus – Nick Ford
Ndilapha – Nomfundo Xaluva
Hope Dies Last – Peter Auret
Apho Kungenje – Ncesh Nonxishi
Best Maskandi Album
Ngathi Nguye – Umafikizolo
iPolotiki – Phuzekhemisi
Angidlali Nezingane – Khuzani
Alingeni – Ntencane
Amathambo Kagogo – Imithente
Best Produced Album
UMI – Zamajobe
The Cradle Of Art – Black Motion
Sankofa – Thandiswa Mazwai
Reprise on 2nd Avenue – Qü
iLadi – Linda Sikhakhane
Best Produced Music Video
Umbuzo – Soa Mattrix
Gucci (official music video) feat. MaWhoo Mthandeni SK
Tshwala Bam (Remix) – TitoM and Yuppe
South – Blxckie
Shekhinah ft. Moliy – Risk Shekhinah
