The 27th Annual South African Music Awards were the 27th edition of the South African Music Awards. The award show was broadcast live on SABC1 on 31 July 2021, and was held virtually due to the effects of COVID-19 lockdowns.
The nominees were announced on 19 May 2021. Kabza de Small received the most nominations with six, ahead of Sun-El Musician with five nominations. The 27th annual SAMAs introduced new categories, introducing best amapiano, gqom and kwaito albums as their own categories.
On 17 July 2021, it was announced that television personalities Bontle Modiselle and Lawrence Maleka were to be the hosts of the ceremony.
Performers The list of performers was announced on July 28. Artist(s) Song(s)Sjava"Umcebo"Boity"Bakae"Big Zulu (featuring Riky Rick and Intaba Yase Dubai) "Mali Eningi" Bucy RadebeAzanaLanga Mavuso BuhlebendaloBlaq Diamond
Winners and nominees Nominees are as listed below. Winners are in bold. {| class=wikitable |- ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Album of the year ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Female Artist of the Year ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Male Artist of the Year
| valign="top" | Once Upon A Time in Lockdown – Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa (Scorpion Kings)Persistence – Bongo RiotThe Healers: The Last Chapter – Black MotionI Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust – Kabza De SmallBack to Love – Junior Taurus | valign="top" | Sho Madjozi – What a Life Reign Africa – On the Frontline Bucy Radebe – Spiritual Encounter Nomcebo Zikode – Xola Moya Wam’ HLE – Your Kingdom on Earth | valign="top" | Kabza De Small – I Am the King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust Sun-El Musician – To The World & Beyond Bongo Riot – Persistence Oscar Mbo – For the Groovists Junior Taurus – Back to Love |- ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Newcomer of the Year ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Duo/Group of the Year ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Rock Album ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Pop Album
| valign="top" | Bucy Radebe – Spiritual Encounter Xolly Mncwango – Jesus is Enough Reign Africa – On the Frontline BandaBanda & The Crocodiles – Africado Azana – Ingoma
| valign="top" | Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa (Scorpion Kings) – Once Upon A Time in Lockdown Reece Madlisa & Zuma – Ama Roto EP MFR Souls – Musical Kings Mas Musiq & Aymos – Shonamalanga Mi Casa – We Made It
| valign="top" | Orange Sunshine – Yum YuckChrome Neon Jesus – Ethyl Ether Here’s to the Now – Nathan Smith The Devils Cattle – Ruff Majik Nothing’s Gonna Change – Oooth
| valign="top" |Tribes & Angels – Locnville11:11 – Rowlene I Don’t Sleep – Jethro Tait Sugar – Mark Stent She – Amy Lilley
! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Pop Album ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Afro Pop Album ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best R&B/Soul Album ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Adult Contemporary Album
| valign="top" |Twintig20 – Brendan Peyper2021 – Die Heuwels Fantasties Die Toekoms is Synth – Synth Peter Gewigloos – Juan Boucher Gemaklik Verlore – Christa Visser
| valign="top" |Ngumama – Vusi NovaIngoma – Azana Molimo – Manu Worldstar The Voice of Africa – Kelly Khumalo Tugela Fairy: Made of Stars – Simmy
| valign="top" |Uhambo – Soul KultureA Force To Be Reckoned With – Thando LANGA – Langa Mavuso Sindisiwe – LaSauce Small World – Ricky Tyler
| valign="top" |Beyele - The Journey Continues – Max – HobaUmsebenzi – Sjava Isambulo – 1020 Cartel Artists Bamako – Simphiwe Dana Buhlebendalo – Chosi
! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Classical Album/Instrumental Album ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Contemporary Music Album ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Hip Hop Album ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Reggae Album
| valign="top" |We’ve Known All Times – Wouter KellermanLive in Cape Town – Guy Buttery & Derek Gripper Imagine – Charles du Plessis Trio Live in Lisbon – Nibs van der Spuy and Guy Buttery Tek’o – CH2
| valign="top" |Herverbeel – Die Heuwels FantastiesWandel in my Woning – Refentse Net Geleen – Bernice West Monumentaal – Ruhan Du Toit Spontaan – Riaan Benadê
| valign="top" |Zulu Man with Some Power – Nasty C4436 – Boity Nadia Naked II – Nadia Nakai POPSTAR – Yanga Chief Zakwe & Duncan – Zakwe & Duncan
| valign="top" |Persistence – Bongo RiotThe Journey – Ras Canly My Music – Freeky On the Frontline – Reign Africa Empathy Riddim – Lavoro Duro
! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Remix of the Year ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Collaboration ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Dance Album ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Kwaito
| valign="top" |"Yehla Moya" – Da Capo"Jerusalema" – Kid Fonque "Ndanele" – Dwson "Sala Nabani" – Sun-El Musician, Claudio & Kenza "Speak Lord" – Sculptured Music
| valign="top" |"Mali Eningi" – Big Zulu featuring Riky Rick & Intaba Yase Dubai"Uthando" – Darque featuring Zakes Bantwini "Ek Like Hoe Jy Dans" – Chê featuring Snotkop "Senzeni" – Mthandazo Gatya featuring Comado & DJ Manzo SA "Yehla Moya" – Da Capo & Nduduzo Makhathini featuring Omagugu
| valign="top" |The Healers: The Last Chapter – Black MotionTo The World & Beyond – Sun-El Musician For The Goovists – Oscar Mbo Xola Moya Wam’ – Nomcebo Zikode We Made It – Mi Casa
| valign="top" |Ama Roto EP – Reece Madlisa & ZumaSgubhu OverDoze – Lvovo & Danger Endaweni – Darkie Fiction Don’t Lose Hope – Sukiri Papa Bhut’Madlisa – Mampintsha
! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Amapiano Album ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Gqom Album ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Engineered Album of the Year ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Produced Music Video |- | valign="top" |Once Upon A Time In Lockdown – Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa (Scorpion Kings)Musical Kings – MFR Souls Back to Love – Junior Taurus I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust – Kabza De Small Shonamalanga – Mas Musiq & Aymos
| valign="top" | InzaloYekwaito – ZinaroWe Don’t Play the Same Gqom – Que Make Cape Town Great Again – Mshayi & Mr Thela Isiqalo – DragerNation Idando Kazi – Babes Wodumo
| valign="top" | Inganekwane by Zoë Modiga – Papi Diretsi & Songo OyamaSwingle Bells by Jonathan Roxmouth – Adam Howard Goodluck Upclose by Goodluck – Murray Anderson & Andrew Rawborn Isambulo by 1020 Cartel Artists – Mfanafuthi Ruff The Second Coming by Kid Tini – James Smals, Kitie, Ron Epidemic & Tweezy
| valign="top" |"Hosh" by Prince Kaybee featuring Sir Trill – Ofentse"Where is the DJ" by Malumz on Decks featuring Khanyisa – Oscar Nyathi "Qhawe – Made to Create" by Toya Delazy – Kyle Lewis & Vjorn Tucker "Mamela" by Mi Casa – Katya Abedian "Lucky Star" by K.O – Adam Zackon & Dale Fortune
! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Live Audio Visual Recording ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Alternative Music Album ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best African Indigenous Faith Album ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Traditional Faith Music Album |- | valign="top" |A Journey to the World & Beyond – Sun-El MusicianYour Kingdom on Earth – HLE The Throne (Live Edition) – Presss Spiritual Encounter – Bucy Radebe My Hart Klop Refentse – Refentse
| valign="top" |iimini – Bongeziwe MabandlaMania/Post Mania – Yellow House Hot Mess – Evert Snyman Filth and Wisdom – The Medicine Dolls Ebusuku – Th&o
| valign="top" |Izwi Lakho – Mandlethu Gospel SingersMakhosi Akithi – Vuma Zion Katlehong Gospel Choir Artist Development – Katlehong Gospel Choir Artist Development Sithembe Wena Nkosi – JTG Gospel Choir Enyokumkhonza – Enyonini Mission Ministries
| valign="top" |Spiritual Encounter – Bucy RadebeProject 17 – Chapter 2 – Worship House Buya Nkosi – Thinah Zungu Wathi Eloyi Eloyi – Sipho Makhabane Izulu – Sneziey |- ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Contemporary Faith Music Album ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Maskandi Album ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Rest of Africa Artist ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Traditional Album
| valign="top" |Your Kingdom on Earth – HLEDevotion – Nqubeko Mbatha Face 2 Face – Collen Maluleke Jesus is Enough – Xolly Mncwango The Promised Revival Part One – Tshwane Gospel Choir
| valign="top" |Imfene Kamakhelwane – Abafana Baka MgqumeniAmagupta – iChwane Lebhaca Ziyangiluma Izinja – Phuzekhemisi Iqatha Eliziqobayo – Thokozani Langa Banathi Shaqa – Imithente
| valign="top" |Songs in the Key of Love – BeritaUnity Album – Buffalo Souljah A Better Time – Davido Made in Lagos – Wizkid Midnight Train – Sauti Sol
| valign="top" |What a Life'' – Sho MadjoziLove and War – Henny C Angeke Bakuthande Boke – Smangele Shebeen Queen – Vusi Mahlasela Ndavhuko – Vendaboy Poe
Artist Of The Year Top 5 1. Makhadzi 2. Ethyl Ether 3. Blaq Diamond 4. Reece Madlisa and Zuma 5. HLE
CAPASSO Most Streamed Song of The Year You're the One - Elaine
Best Adult Contemporary Album:
Winner: Ndlovu Youth Choir - Rise
Artist Of The Year Top 3 1. HLE 2. Makhadzi 3. Blaq Diamond
Best Jazz Album:
Winner: Modes of Communication: Letters from the Underworlds - Nduduzo Makhathini Best Produced Album:
Winner: Sjava - Umsebenzi (Delaydem, Ruff Nkosi, Webmoms, Zadok & Vuyo Manyike)
Music Video of the Year: MFR Souls - Amanikiniki ft. Major League DJz, Kamo Mphela, Bontle Smith Prince Kaybee - uWrongo ft. Black Motion, Shimza, Ami Faku Sha Sha - Tender Love ft. DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small Miss Pru - Price To Pay ft. Blaq Diamond, Malome Vector Master KG - Jerusalema ft. Nomcebo Zikode Ayanda Jiya - Lover 4 Life ft. Stogie T (Music Video) Malome Vector - Dumelang ft. Blaq Diamond (Music Video) Semi Tee - Gabadiya ft. Kammu Dee, Miano (Official Video) Aubrey Qwana - Molo (Official Music Video) #REMASTEREDINHD Nasty C - There They Go Kwesta - Njandini Elaine - You're the One (Official Music Video) REMASTERED DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small - Lorch ft. Semi Tee, Miano, Kammu Dee TNS, Skillz - Ayabonga ft. LeSoul (Official Music Video) HD Sphectacula, DJ Naves - Okokoko ft. Thebe, Unathi (Video) Nasty C - Eazy (Official Music Video) #REMASTEREDINHD Focalistic - Ke Star featuring Vigro Deep (Official Video) Rouge - One By One ft. AKA Azana - Your Love (Official Music Video) REMASTERED Shane Eagle - Paris ft. Nasty C (Music Video)
Winner: Miss Pru - Price to Pay ft. Blaq Diamond, Malome Vector
Record of the Year: Master KG - Jerusalema ft. Nomcebo Zikode Elaine - You're the One Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa - eMcimbini (Audio) Nomcebo Zikode - Xola Moya Wam' ft. Master KG Blaq Diamond - Love Letter (Official Audio) 2020 Aubrey Qwana - Molo (Official Audio) 2020 Lyrics On Screen Sun-El Musician - Ubomi Abumanga ft. Msaki (Audio) Prince Kaybee, Black Motion, Shimza, Ami Faku - uWrongo Kelly Khumalo - Empini (Official Audio) 2020 Lyrics MFR Souls - Amanikiniki ft. Major League DJz, Kamo Mphela, Bontle Smith Sha Sha - Tender Love ft. DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small Miss Pru - Price To Pay ft. Blaq Diamond, Malome Vector TNS - Umona ft. Mpumi (Official Audio) 2019 Lyric Video Matthew Mole - Keep It Together (Official Audio) 2020 Lyric Simmy - Ngihamba Nawe ft. Sino Msolo (Official Audio) 2021 Blaq Diamond - SummerYoMuthi (Official Audio) 2020 MFR Souls - Love You Tonight ft. Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, Sha Sha Jethro Tait - Sad Shekhinah - Fixate ft. Bey T (Audio) Azana - Your Love (Official Audio)
Winner: Matthew Mole - Keep It Together (Official Audio) 2020 Lyric
Artist of the Year:
Winner: Blaq Diamond
Special awardsInternational Achievement AwardMaster KGLifetime Achievement AwardLebo M Dr Lindelani Mkhize PJ Powers
Best singer in intertainment industry Sir trillBest Selling Artist Mlindo the Vocalist - EmakhayaSAMRO HIGHEST AIRPLAY AWARD'''
Kgaugelo Moagi (Master KG) and Nomcebo Zikode – Jerusalema
References