Written by Jamie Petersen and Sabelo Mkhabela
Hip hop continues to dominate the South African mainstream music scene. Rival rappers AKA and Cassper got three and five nods respectively at this year’s South African Music Awards (SAMAs). Darling pop/house group, Beatenberg also received five nominations.
We pick a few of the main categories and predict our winners.
Best pop album
Nominees:
Beatenberg – Hanging Gardens of Beatenberg
Jimmy Nevis – The Masses
Monark – Negatives
The Kiffness – Kiff
Toya Delazy – Ascension
Tough category. Each of the artists and bands deserved their nomination. The standouts are, however, the ever-charming Jimmy Nevis, everyone’s favourite Beatenberg and the uber cool Toya Delazy. But why is Monark included in this category? The band is more alternative rock with a more passive approach (if that’s a thing?) than pop. They, together with The Kiffness, are the underdogs here. We believe Beatenberg have got it in the bag and no one will really rant and rave too much if that’s the outcome. However, Jimmy could easily swoop it up.
Best rock album
Nominees:
aKing – Morning After
Prime Circle – Let the Night in
Reburn – Majestic
Taxi Violence – Tenfold
Zebra & Giraffe – Knuckles
This category includes one of the veterans of South African Rock, Prime Circle as well as the new kids on the rock block, Reburn from Cape Town. We admire all of these nominees, and typically would love each of them to win. Reburn have managed to stay true to themselves and get the recognition they deserve. When looking at these nominees, it’s obvious who the main contenders are. This is Zebra and Giraffe’s fourth nomination under this category and we think they have the best chance of taking the award. By the way, is Prime Circle still relevant? And has anybody heard anything significant from Taxi Violence lately?
Best newcomer of the year
Nominees:
Beatenberg –The Hanging Gardens of Beatenberg
Cassper Nyovest – Tsholofelo
Jimmy Nevis – The Masses
Duncan – Street Government
Howie Combrink – Eat It While It’s Hot
Jeremy Loops – Trading Change
Although many of these names might sound like they’ve been around for a while (because, really they’ve been), they are still newcomers as it’s the first time they have each released an album (that’s just how award shows operate). It’s one of the most exciting categories because it’s mixing up various genres and not only artists against one another. It’s a diverse group of nominees and will get people talking. It’s clear that the prominent nominees in this category are Cassper Nyovest, Beatenberg, Jeremy Loops and Jimmy Nevis. Our hearts are rooting for Beatenberg and Jimmy, however we believe Cassper has this award in the bag.
Duo or group of the year
Nominees:
Beatenberg – The Hanging Gardens of Beatenberg
Bittereinder – Skerm
BlackByrd – Home
McCoy Mrubata – Brasskap Sessions Vol. 2
The Soil – Nostalgic Moments
The Soil’s sophomore album Nostalgic Moments went gold in less than a month. Beaternberg’s “Pluto (Remember You)” single was the most popular song on South African radio for 15 consecutive weeks in 2014. Both groups are innovative and have one thing in common – South Africa loves them. Not an easy one for us, but we see The Soil taking it. However, don’t take Afrikaans rap group Bittereinder for granted, as they could give Beatenberg a run for their money.
Male artist of the year
AKA – Levels
Cassper Nyovest – Tsholofelo
Jimmy Nevis – The Masses
K.O. – Skhanda Republic
Ringo Madlingozi – Vulani
It’s definitely a young boy’s world. Ringo must be feeling out of place here. Jimmy Nevis “put the Cape on the map”, AKA carried on amazing music fans with brilliant singles from his Levels release. Cassper Nyovest became a superstar. K.O created the skhanda rap sub-genre and had the most viewed South African hip hop video on YouTube with “Caracara”. Ringo Madlingozi’s Vulani album didn’t make that much noise, or did it? Our pick? We love all these dudes but who has more hype than Cassper right now?
Best kwaito album
L’vovo Derrango – The Boss
PHI and Ginger – Licence to Hustle
Professor – University of KalawaJazmee Since 1994
Thebe – The Legend
Trompies – Delicious
Not more than 10 years ago, this was the incumbent youth genre in South Africa. In 2015, kwaito is fading away, many have pronounced it dead already. The Trompies’ comeback offering, Delicious was great but it failed to make as much noise as Professor and L’vovo. Thebe also managed to get a nomination with an album not many people even knew existed. The SAMA should go to the 21st century golden boy of kwaito Professor with his University of KalawaJazmee 1994.
Album of the year
Cassper Nyovest – Tsholofelo
K.O – Skhanda Republic
Beatenberg – Hanging Gardens of Beatenberg
The Soil – Nostalgic Moments
Vulani – Ngiyagodola
Cassper’s Tsholofelo wasn’t a breath-taking offering the way K.O’s Skhanda Republic and Beatenberg’s Hanging Gardens of Beaternberg were. The Soil did what they’ve always been doing and it worked for the second time on Nostalgic Moments. But album of the year? Maybe based on influence and reach, yes. Which also happens to be Cassper’s selling point. We would love it if Beatenberg would win but it’s definitely between The Soil and Cassper.
Best rap album
Nominees:
AKA – Levels
Duncan – Street Government
Cassper Nyovest – Tsholofelo
K.O – Skhanda Republic
Reason – Audio High Definition
Even with strong lyrics and concepts, Reason’s Audio High Definition came out mediocre, his beat selection let him down a great deal. Duncan’s Street Government served its purpose – and that was solidifying the emcee’s place on the streets but it almost ended there. K.O’s Skhanda Republic impressed many but missed a reasonable number of fans. Cassper’s gold-certified Tsholofelo suffered from trying to be everything at once. One guy who had an album everyone could listen to, with great house-sampled beats, well-crafted hooks, even though it had mediocre lyrical content was AKA. Levels must win.
Bookmark this page and come check after how good or bad we did after the award show.
See the full list of nominees here.
