somGAGA And Tumi Morake Brought that thing,the VA-VA VOOM at @TheSAMAs

Sun City Super bowl in the North-West Province, in BokoniBohirima , on Saturday ( 27^th May 2017) was the venue of choice, on the music industry calendar, The 23^rd  annual South African Music Awards  #SAMA23 especially after coming back home.Last year the Samas were held in KZN.

I was there to witness as most of our local stars turn heads on the awards famous red-carpet, but as always there were few who got it wrong and there were also those who knew exactly how to grab camera’s attention with either their outstanding outfits or should i say seeking attention with God knows some ridiculous things  .

I was so proud to see one of the motsweding fm radio presenter,Ltk Lucky on stage  with his red royal blazer, to present the second award of the evening.

The star studded award show hosted by television and radio personalities. Somizi Mhlongo aka Somgaga’s ridiculously bold and crazy electrifying presenting skill and his co-host comedian extraordinaire Tumi Morake’s witty words, were the perfect collaboration for many elements of drama and entertainment of the evening. They kept everyone entertained, however they were not the only highlights of the night, rapper Kwesta left with an armload of SAMA statuettes the same evening.

Cementing his place as a hip-hop force to be reckoned with, Kwesta started his winning streak on Friday night, a night before the main evenet, when he won the Best Collaboration Album at the industry awards. During the main event,on Saturday night  he collected five – Samro Highest Airplay of the Year, SAMPRA Highest Airplay of the Year, Best Rap Album, Best Male Artist of the Year and Best Album of the Year for his Dakar II album and hit single Ngud. His trophy haul stands at six in one year

Newcomer Amanda Black had an impressive run, picking up two of the top 5 awards – Best Newcomer of the Year and Best Female Artist of the Year, adding to her silverware the Best R&B/Soul/Reggae Album award that she won also on friday night, making her a three time SAMA winner on her debut album.

Nasty C secured the much coveted and public voted Record of the Year award with his song Hell Naw.

Dance pair Black Motion won the Best Duo/Group of the Year and Best Dance Album.

The high kicking Dr Malinga snapped the Best Kwaito Album award while crooner Vusi Nova secured the Best Afro Pop Album trophy.

In the traditional front, Khuzani with his album Inyoni Yomthakathi won Best Maskandi Album. And in the gospel stakes Spirit of Praise won Best Traditional Faith Music Album while the African Indigenous Gospel Album went to Living in Christ Legends.

The evening also saw the industry pay respects to its own legends. Rebecca Malope, Don Laka and Babsy Mlangeni were honoured with Lifetime Achievement awards.International soprano Pretty Yende received the International Recognition Award for her work in opera around the world.

The SAMA 23 stage exploded with performances that featured collaborations between rock star Kurt Darren and hip-hop royalty and Bokone phophirima product, Khuli Chana, Stogie T (featuring Yanga and Emtee) plus Kwesta (featuring TLT).

The Afro Pop segment produced magic as vocal powerhouses Kelly Khumalo, Jaziel Brothers, Robbie Malinga and Musa banded together for a distinctly African flavour.

Amadodana ase Wesile gave a pleasant surprise as they teamed up with exciting new talents Soul Kulture and Thee Legacy as well as rock veteran Arno Carstens for harmonies and melodies we won’t forget in a hurry.Bongani Radebe, the new and skilful sax genius accompanied the moving In Memoriam tribute.

Gospel stars Lebo Sekgobela , Dr Tumi, Neyi Zimu and Jerusalema E Ncha delivered a powerful and spirited gospel medley. And every church goer felt like they were attending a powerful sermon

The urban maskandi, Afro pop and hip hop acts Mma Ausi, Thokozani Langa, Sjava and Ms Pru (featuring Mtee, Amanda/LaSauce) delivered a mesh up of sounds, beats and influences.

The night’s performances were closed with a spectacular collaboration by dance stars Naakmusiq, DBN Finest (DJ Tira & Sox Feat. Professor), Babes Wodumo (featuring Mampintsha, Cassper and Dancers) and OkMalumKoolKat who got together for a pulsating and energetic finale.

Comments Nhlanhla Sibisi, CEO of RiSA: ‘By all accounts this has been a successful SAMA 23. We applaud all the winners and nominees, and the music loving South Africans who have supported these awards. We are encouraged by the generosity of our sponsors and all stakeholders, media included in this great project. South African music can only grow from here. See you at SAMA 24.’

Complete list of winners:

Best Newcomer of the Year – Amanda Black – Amazulu

Best Duo-Group of the Year – Black Motion – Ya Badimo

Best Female Artist of the Year – Amanda Black – Amazulu

Best Male Artist of the Year – Kwesta – Dakar II

Best Album of the Year – Kwesta – Dakar II

Record of the Year – Nasty C – Hell Naw

Best Maskandi Album – Khuzani – Inyoni yomthakathi

Classical Instrumental Album – Charl du Pleassis Trio – Baroqueswing Vol.II

Best Afro Pop Album – Vusi Nova – Vusi Nova

African Indigenous Gospel Album – Living In Christ Legends – Living In Christ Legends

Best Rock Album – Albert Frost – The Wakeup

Best Pop Album – GoodLuck – The Nature Within

Beste Kontemporere Musiek Album – Joshua na die Reen – Die Wereld Binne My

Best Rap Album – Kwesta – Darak II

Best Kwaito Album – Dr Malinga – Goodwill

Best Dance Album – Black Motion – Ya Badimo

Best Traditional Faith Music Album – Sprit of Praise – Spirit of Praise Vol.6

Samro Highest Airplay of the Year – Ngud – Kwesta

SAMPRA Highest Airplay of the Year – Ngud – Kwesta

@TheSAMAs @somizi @tumi_morake @KwestaDaKAR @luckytlale @Ambitiouz_Ent ‏