Juice from the SAMA nomination party

It felt like a sweet sixteen party for most of South Africa’s artists as the MTN SAMA nominees for 2010 were announced at Taboo on Thursday night. It has certainly been an interesting year in terms of the local hit tracks released. New Talent has emerged and some of the old have fined tuned themselves to try and be top musicians. The most popular category, Record of the Year, certainly proves that the standard of music has risen with guys like Big Nuz, The Parlotones, Goldfish, Liquid Deep, Black Coffee, HHP , Prime Circle and thirteen others all competing for the prize.

I guess not all will be pleased with the awards. I was suprised that Proverb wasn't nominated for the Best Rap Album. He is one of the most hard working MC’s I know. Tumi Molekane got a nod and is pitted against the likes of JR, HHP, Khuli Chana and Teargas (who took the award home last year). As expected TKzee got a nomination for the Best Kwaito Album alongside the “Umlilo” hit makers and Mzambiya. Speaking of kwaito, the King rocked up with his Chomee, it was nice to see him support an event he once stood against.
Slikour came dressed in a check shirt and his car keys, nice change from the T- shirts we normally see him in. As for what he said to Mpho Maboi about his cars insurance excess, well, I’ll take it as a joke.


I had an great opportunity to meet Culoe De Song, the man responsible for keeping us on the dance floors with his hit featuring Busi Mhlongo “We Baba” this festive season. He got a nomination in the Best Newcomer category, Record of the year and Best Urban Dance Album with pit bulls of the dance arena DJ Cleo, Liquid Deep, Black Coffee and Mr commandments, Oskido.

I saw Lekgoa, I wonder if o sa rata basetsana (loves the girls , as per his song). As one would expect to see music stalwarts, Lindelani Mkhize was in the house hanging with Nkanyiso of Coca Cola Pop stars fame:



Funny how those that have won that competition seem to fade out of the lime light. Moving along, DJ S’bu came through a tad late and as usual well dressed and used the opportunity to sneak in a few words to Prokid who has become a bit of a snazzy dresser nowadays:



Lira gave a great performance and so did Rhythmic Elements after DJ Waxxy fooled around with us with a great selection of hits but below par mixing. Big ups to Milkshake for keeping people entertained with his ever rocking set:




I love Patron and Jagermeister , it brings people back to earth including those with big egos. It made some people who wouldn’t under normal circumstances look at us shake our hands *smh*. Vusi Nongxa was dressed like a “m’rapper” and displayed his swag all over the place. I love Poppy from 5FM, her humility humbles me and that number she had on....oh mama!




Pushie Dunn came with husband Shaun Watson, it was nice to see her out and about. I must say Pitch Black Afro is a special kind, the Afro, the way he speaks and the pose is enough to tell me so.



DJ Tira was dressed like it’s the actual awards with a nice suite and a pink tie. He didn’t mingle much as he had company (a glass of red wine).

Isn't Jozi a hip hop group? Silly question I know but I was surprised to see them nominated for the Best Urban Pop Album alongside MXO, Kwela Tebza, DJ Sox and newcomers Urban Reign who also attended the event but preferred to chill in the quiet corners:



It was a night where camera men flashed left, right and centre. I must say I enjoyed watching SA’s talent (and non-talent) hog the bar and socialize. As for why they would serve koeksisters at midnight after most had consumed alcohol I don’t know. What I do know is that mini hot dogs are the "in" thing when it comes caterers. This year’s SAMA’s are going to be interesting for sure. I hope they don’t use the same caterers though or they must at least swap their menu. Well done to all the nominees who deserved it, best of luck to all.

Flicks of celebs at the do:

Psyfo:



Dj Cleo:



Zulu boy:





The nominees are:

Album of the Year
Big Nuz for Undisputed
BLK JKS for the album After Robots
Busi Mhlongo for Amakholwa Believers
Selaelo Selota for Lapeng Laka
Teargas for Dark Or Blue

Female Artist of the Year

Busi Mhlongo for Amakholwa Believers
Camagwini for Emandulo
Lira for Live In Concert: A Celebration
Louise Carver for The Home Tour – Live
Thandiswa Mazwai for Ibokwe

Male Artist of the Year

Benjamin Dube for 16 June Commemoration Live
Black Coffee for Home Brewed
Chris Chameleon for Kyk Hoe Lyk Ons Nou
Ntando for Inqubela
Selaelo Selota for Lapeng Laka

MTN Record of the Year

Change the World – Master Jam (w/ RJ Benjamin)
Consider Me – Prime Circle
Fairytale - Liquideep
FortKnox - Goldfish
Free - Thembi Seete
Good Music - DJ Cleo
Heartbreak Street – Jesse Clegg
I Believe – Oskido
Ingoma - Thandiswa featuring Hugh Masekela
Juju – Black Coffee featuring Zakes Bantwini
Lesson Number 1 – Rhythmic Elements
Live my Life – Winnie Khumalo
Maybe - Loyiso
Mmatswale- Malaika
Mpitse - HHP
NkaMo Dira – Nutty Nys (w/ Abe Molamu)
Nomalanga Mntakwethu – Zuluboy
Push me to the Floor - The Parlotones
Umlilo - Big Nuz featuring Tira
We Baba - Culoe De Song featuring Busi Mhlongo

Best Rock Album: English


aKING - Against All Odds
Cassette - Who Do You Trust
New Holland - Exploded Views
The Parlotones - Stardust Galaxies
Voodoo Child - Attack. Don’t Panic


Best Urban Pop Album

DJ Sox - House Party
Jozi - Wild Life
Kwela Tebza - Made In South Africa
Mxo - Sounds In Motion
Urban Reign - When It Rains It Pours

Best Rap Album

HHP - Dumela
JR - Colourfull
Khuli Chana - The MotswakOriginator
Teargas - Dark Or Blue
Tumi - Whole Worlds

Best Kwaito Album

Big Nuz - Undisputed
Mzambiya - Still I Rise
Spikiri - Taking A Walk On The Wild Side
TKZee - Coming Home
Zola - Impepho

For more of the nominees go to the SAMA website