The stage is officially set for the 31st edition of the South African Music Awards (SAMA31). On Thursday, 28 August 2025, the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) unveiled the nominees in a vibrant virtual showcase that captured the pulse of the nation’s music scene.

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Spanning 25 categories, the announcement reflects the depth and diversity of South Africa’s sonic landscape. From amapiano innovators to jazz virtuosos, gospel powerhouses to hip hop poets, this year’s nominees embody a golden era of boundary-pushing artistry. To heighten anticipation, RiSA confirmed that the coveted Top Five categories will only be revealed in September, keeping the countdown to the big night electric.

A Reimagined Celebration

Scheduled for November 2025, SAMA31 returns in an evolved hybrid format, merging the magic of a live in-person ceremony with the reach of a virtual broadcast. Fans across South Africa and around the world will experience front-row access to the country’s biggest music celebration, without losing the intimacy and grandeur of the physical stage.

“This year’s nominations form a symphony of South African sound, a playlist that celebrates not only genres, but the journeys behind them,” said Unati Gwija, SAMA Spokesperson. “From emerging voices to established icons, the SAMAs continue to honour excellence – and this year is bigger, bolder, and brimming with brilliance.”

Partners in Excellence

This year’s awards are made possible through the support of key partners including the Motsepe Foundation, Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, SAMPRA, SAMRO, CAPASSO, with the SABC serving as media partner. Together, they reinforce the SAMAs’ reputation as the gold standard of South African music, driving inclusivity, celebrating diversity, and championing creative excellence.

Full SAMA31 Nominee (& Winners) List

Best Adult Contemporary Album

• uKhisimusi:An African Christmas – Just 6
• Seven – Melanie Scholtz (winner)
• Room For Everyone – Tony Drake
• Nonyezi – Nue Sam
• Look At You Now – The Morning After

Best African Adult Contemporary Album

• UMI – Zamajobe
• Sankofa – Thandiswa Mazwai (winner)
• Nomthandazo – Zoe Modiga
• Isibusiso Sami – Ndu Shezi
• Indumiso YabeNguni – Mthuthu

Best African Indigenous Faith Album

• Re Kgoeletsa Magodimong – Wacha Mkhukhu
• Morena Re Ya Leboga – JTG Gospel Choir (winner)
• Busa Jeso – House Of Mercy
• Ikutana – Barongoa Ba Morena
• Nkapese Ka Maatla – Di Bruin Gospel Projects

Best Afro Pop Album

• Twenty Four – Nomfundo Moh
• Malik – Malik
• Isibuko (Deluxe) – Sjava (winner)
• Inkanyezi (Live) – Sjava
• Collaborations With Friends – Dalom Kids

Best Alternative Album

• Unyazi – Yoav & Jabulile Majola
• Perspective: Black – Zādok
• Hindsight 2020 – Francis Soal (winner)
• Emlotheni – Th&o.
• Berge – Spoegwolf

Best Amapiano Album

• Your Piano Is Not My Piano – Vigro Deep
• Sewe – Kelvin Momo (winner)
• 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
• Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper – Derek Gripper (winner)
• A Season in Paradise – Vox Chamber Choir & Franco Prinsloo
• Awake for 22 Hours – Orecchiette

Best Collaboration

• Waze Wamuhle – Kelvin Momo
• Takala – Black Motion (winner)
• Ematshwaleni – Kususa
• Stay With Me – Matt Davies
• Amalanga – Mas Musiq

Best Contemporary Faith Music Album

• Crosspower Experience 4 – Jabu Hlongwane
• The Glory – Takie Ndou (winner)
• Heavenly Psalms Level 2 (Live at Goshen City Church 2023) – SbuNoah
• Lindiwe – Nontokozo Mkhize
• Living Word – Mmangaliso

Best Dance Album

• The Cradle Of Art – Black Motion
• FINALLY FAMOUS TOO – Dlala Thukzin (winner)
• Cr4zy!!.. – MÖRDA
• Dreaming – Shimza
• Caiiro – Caiiro

Best Engineered Album

• The Cradle Of Art – Black Motion
• Sankofa – Thandiswa Mazwai (winner)
• 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 (winner)
• NANDE 3.0 – DJ Sandiso
• Next Level – Lelowhatsgood

Best Hip Hop Album

• See U Soon Delux – Blxckie
• Red October: Induction – Tony Dayimane
• Pray 4 Pitori – Loatinover Pounds
• Audio 2D; Dear Darkie – Sizwe Alakine
• Loyal To The Plug: The Life & Times of Don Kilograms – 25K (winner)

Best Jazz Album

• uNomkhubulwane – Nduduzo Makhathini
• Terra Solus – Nick Ford
• Ndilapha – Nomfundo Xaluva
• Hope Dies Last – Peter Auret (winner)
• Apho Kungenje – Ncesh Nonxishi

Best Maskandi Album

• Ngathi Nguye – Umafikizolo
• iPolotiki – Phuzekhemisi
• Angidlali Nezingane – Khuzani (winner)
• Alingeni – Ntencane
• Amathambo Kagogo – Imithente

Best Produced Album

• UMI – Zamajobe
• The Cradle Of Art – Black Motion
• Sankofa – Thandiswa Mazwai (winner)
• Reprise on 2nd Avenue – Qü
• iLadi – Linda Sikhakhane

Best Produced Music Video

• Umbuzo – Soa Mattrix
• Gucci (feat. MaWhoo) – Mthandeni SK
• Tshwala Bam (Remix) – TitoM and Yuppe
• South – Blxckie
• Risk – Shekhinah ft Moliy (winner)

Best R&B/Soul Album

• Too Many Promises – Mikhalé Jones
• Stone Cold Heart – Elaine (winner)
• On Air – Filah Lah Lah
• It’s Clear To See – Clxrity
• Heartbreak Hotel (Deluxe) – The Big Hash

Best Reggae Album

• The Legacy – Black Dillinger
• The Heart and The Mind – Don Dada
• Flaws in Frame – Dimahr
• After All – LUWE DA LION (winner)
• Area Code – Botanist Mr Lamington

Best Rock Album

• VIR MEKAAR – Bloumoord
• These Blues Might Get You Too – MaxX & Love (winner)
• The World We Know – Prime Circle
• Old Wounds – The Man Motels
• Look At You Now – The Morning After

Best Traditional Faith Music Album

• Uyinqaba Yam (Jehovah Nissi) – Betusile Mcinga
• The Journey (Part 1) – Tebs David
• The Full Circle Revival – Malusi Mbokazi
• Rofhiwa Dzina – Rofhiwa Manyaga
• According to Grace, A One Man Show – Ayanda Ntanzi (winner)

Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album

• Vaalsand – Pietman Geldenhuys
• Niemandsland – Ampie
• Eindbestemming – Spoegwolf (winner)
• Land & Sand – Neil Sandilands
• Geraamtes – Majo

Best Traditional Music Album

• O Moleele – Keitumetse Mangate Production
• Mmakgodu – MmaAusi
• Miracle Child (Deluxe) – Makhadzi Entertainment (winner)
• Kwanomthandazo – Sabu Jiyana
• Bakokota (EP) – Pleasure Tsa Manyalo

Remix of the Year

• Tshwala Bam – TitoM
• Skuta Baba – Woodblock DJs
• Mngani – Jnr SA
• Iza Mawala – Tycoon
• Hlala – Mpho.Wav (winner)

Rest of Africa Award (South Africans Excluded)

• The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr (winner)
• The Party & After Party – Bensoul
• Morayo – Wizkid
• Born In The Wild – Tems
• Adedamola – Fireboy DML

Male artist of the year

• Ayanda Ntanzi
• LUWE DA LION
• Khuzani
• Kelvin Momo
• Goldmax (winner)

Female artist of the year

• Makhadzi Entertainment
• Thandiswa Mazwai (winner)
• Melanie Scholtz
• Elaine
• Zee Nxumalo

Duo or group of the year

• MaxX & Love
• Black Motion (winner)
• JTG Gospel Choir
• Spoegwolf
• Kususa

Album of the year

• Ayanda Ntanzi
• LUWE DA LION
• Kelvin Momo
• Play At Your Own Risk – Goldmax (winner)
• Thandiswa Mazwai

Newcomer of the year:

• Ncesh Nonxishi
• House of Mercy
• Nontokozo Mkhize (winner)
• Mmangaliso
• Umafikizolo

Please note that winners were announced on Sunday 14 December 2025, below is the article with all the winners of the night.