The SAMA's and what they still mean today
The best South African musicians gather every year to celebrate local music at its best. We usually get into a bit of debate, tit for tat on who should win Album of the year award and also disputing another category.
We have had a few days to take it all in on what happened last weekend.
The set at SAMA25 seemed to be a downsize from the previous years and I liked it. It gave a more intimate feel and it was a good decision to have three different pair of presenters throughout the show.
For me, the best performances without fail are usually traditional and gospel artists, they are world class.
The biggest winners of the night included Sho Madjozi, Sjava and Black Coffee. Sho Madjozi has been in the industry for a few years and has already made her mark, walking away with the Newcomer Award and Female artist of the year.
She is unapologetic in her authenticity. Madjozi's music which is profoundly infused with her Tsonga heritage and goes with her outfit at times has shown that our artists should embrace their African heritage rather than forever drawing on American influence to make it big.
Sjava walked away with the album of the year, Sjava is amazing but I am not going to lie I had a bit of a sour face when Mlindo The Vocalist did not walk away with the award because his first album Emakhaya is a classic. But the category was tough and the standard of local music is at its best at the moment.
Honestly, award shows don't excite me anymore, I do not have the same excitement to watch them as I did before. With dropping TV ratings across the globe, award shows seem to be struggling to keep the audience with entertainment despite having the best musicians in one room.
Celebrating the top music or the best in any industry is welcomed in my opinion. Artists seem to elevate themselves more because of their competitors. Some say having the 'best' category is unnecessary and all albums nominated should be celebrated, agreed but I see it as the same policy some people have decided to put in school, awarded every child with a medal! Even for the last place.
Uhm no.
No.
No.
Awards are a thank you note that tell you and give a daily reminder that you are good, its just an added pat on the back but it is not everything, it's not clear validation and contrary to popular belief if your favourite artist is not nominated does mean their music did it have influence, it did.
Award shows still matter because they can celebrate excellence and opening up to new music and newcomers.
To keep award shows relevant, my top pet peeves:
Note to self, listen to more local music and support local artist, go to their concerts and buy their albums!
We have had a few days to take it all in on what happened last weekend.
The set at SAMA25 seemed to be a downsize from the previous years and I liked it. It gave a more intimate feel and it was a good decision to have three different pair of presenters throughout the show.
For me, the best performances without fail are usually traditional and gospel artists, they are world class.
The biggest winners of the night included Sho Madjozi, Sjava and Black Coffee. Sho Madjozi has been in the industry for a few years and has already made her mark, walking away with the Newcomer Award and Female artist of the year.
She is unapologetic in her authenticity. Madjozi's music which is profoundly infused with her Tsonga heritage and goes with her outfit at times has shown that our artists should embrace their African heritage rather than forever drawing on American influence to make it big.
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| Sho Madjozi at the SAMAS25. Photo: Sho Madjozi, Twitter |
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| Sjava looking like a taxi boss owner at the SAMA25. Photo: Twitter |
Honestly, award shows don't excite me anymore, I do not have the same excitement to watch them as I did before. With dropping TV ratings across the globe, award shows seem to be struggling to keep the audience with entertainment despite having the best musicians in one room.
Celebrating the top music or the best in any industry is welcomed in my opinion. Artists seem to elevate themselves more because of their competitors. Some say having the 'best' category is unnecessary and all albums nominated should be celebrated, agreed but I see it as the same policy some people have decided to put in school, awarded every child with a medal! Even for the last place.
Uhm no.
No.
No.
Awards are a thank you note that tell you and give a daily reminder that you are good, its just an added pat on the back but it is not everything, it's not clear validation and contrary to popular belief if your favourite artist is not nominated does mean their music did it have influence, it did.
Award shows still matter because they can celebrate excellence and opening up to new music and newcomers.
To keep award shows relevant, my top pet peeves:
- Cut award shows to under two hours
- A host is it necessary nor having four of them, have an announcer at times and then your duo of presenters
- The weird one-liners and corny intros are cringe-worthy but at times it makes for TV, just get a comedian to handle that
- Production, production and production. We cannot be having terrible sound every award show, you had a year to prepare, and the stage too, visually appealing, and viewers actually appreciate when things are done with a great effort, not sub-par.
Note to self, listen to more local music and support local artist, go to their concerts and buy their albums!
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