SAMAs rock Montecasino

Johannesburg - The Parlotones, Prime Circle, Jax Panik, Kurt Darren and Die Antwoord were among the winners at the 17th South African Music Awards.

The ceremony featured several performances. Collaborations were the order of the day, with Vusi Mahlasela and Rebecca Malope among others leading all-star medleys. Ray Phiri and ray Dylan honoured Sipho Gumede and Lance James respectively.

Die Antwoord typically delivered a surprise twist with an orchestral introduction provided by the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra to their hit Enter the Ninja. Yo-Landi Vi$$er entered the performance suspended in a harness above the audience. They were also awarded an International Achievement award for which Ninja thanks "all the people in the overseas."

Locnville picked up an award for best-selling album. They immediately tweeted: "Say whaaaaaattttt???!!!!! Bestselling album! I didn't even know that was a nomination!! Yessss!!!!!!!!! :)".

The awards were handed out in the following order during the televised broadcast:

Best African Traditional Gospel Album
WINNER: Sechaba – Thank You
Deborah – Awunasabelo
Kh***ka – Siyakuvuma
Lundi – Uhambo Lwami (My Journey)
Rebecca Malope – Uzohamba Nami

Best Contemporary Jazz Album
WINNER: Ological Studies – OS Freedom
Brigitte Mitchell – Don’t Explain
Carlo Mombelli & The Prisoners Of Strange – Theory
Heels Over Head – Could It Be
Jonathan Butler – So Strong

Best Maskandi Album
WINNER: Bhek**uzi Luthuli – Imali Yabelungu
Ichwane Lebhaca – Omama Bengani
Ihashi Elimhlophe – Isililo
Mfiliseni Magubane – Iqhalaqhala
Thokozani Langa – Sthanda Ifamily

Best Sokkie Dans Album
WINNER: Kurt Darren – Die Beste Medisyne
Die Campbells – Komaan Kom Dans
Fredi Nest – Dronkverliefverslaafaanjou
Ray Dylan – Ek Wens Jy’s Myne
Various – Ons Sing Boney M

Best Urban Dance Album
WINNER: DJ Kent – I Can’t Survive
Giggs Superstar – Deep House Chronicles 4
Liquideep – Fabrics Of The Heart
Tumelo – Arise and Shine
Zakes Bantwini – Love, Light & Music

Best Pop Album: English
WINNER: Jax Panik – I Am Jax Panik
Danny K – Across The Line
Locnville – Sun In My Pocket
Louise Day – Swallowed By The City
The Arrows – Make Believe

Best Urban Pop Album
WINNER: Kwela Tebza – Gauteng Made In South Africa/Mzansi
Chomee – Fly The Flag
Ernie B St. Clair – I Am Universal
Howza – World Premier
Ntombi Ngcobo – African Sexy

Best Pop Album: Afrikaans
WINNER: Juanita Du Plessis – Engel Van My Hart
Gerhard Steyn – Als Begin Eers Nou
Jay – Solo
Kurt Darren – Oos Wes Tuis Bes
Lee Scott – Die Enigste Manier

Best Pop Album: African
WINNER: Theo Kgosinkwe – Grateful
Camagu – Camagu
Patricia Majalisa – Epatini
Rhythmic Elements – Bandorondoro - Ancestors
Speedy & Stoan – Second Son Rise

Best Rock Album: English
WINNER: Prime Circle – Jekyll & Hyde
John Ellis – My Own Way Home
The Narrow – You Don’t Get To Quit
The Parlotones – Live Design
Zebra & Giraffe – The Inside

Best Kwaito Album
WINNER: Professor – University Of Kalawa Jazmee
L’vovo Derrango – Irresistible
Mandoza – Real Deal
Sosha – 745 Mission
Thebe – Mujomba

Best Rap Album
WINNER: Amu – The Principal
Kwesta – Special Rekwest
Slikour – Ventilation Volume 3 (VV3)
Tuks Senganga - Tshwanelo
Tumi & The Volume – Pick a Dream

Best Music Video of the Year
WINNER: The Parlotones – The Stars Fall Down
Freshlyground – Chicken To Change
Nomfusi – Nontsokolo
Teargas – Goodfellaz
The Parlotones – Life Design

Newcomer of the year
WINNER: Locnville – Sun In My Pocket
Jay – Solo
Kwesta – Special Rekwest
Liquideep – Fabrics Of The Heart
Nomsa Mazwai - Nomisupa

Duo/Group of the year
WINNER: Liquideep – Fabrics Of The Heart
Flash Republic – Killer Moves
Kwela Tebza – Gauteng Made In South Africa/Mzansi
Prime Circle – Jekyll & Hyde
Tumi & The Volume – Pick a Dream

International Achievement Award
Die Antwoord

Lifetime Achievement Awards
Sipho Gumede
Lance James

Female Artist of the year
WINNER: Thandiswa – The Forgotten Free – Live In Concert
Karen Zoid - Terms & Conditions
Louise Carver – Look To The Edge
Nianell – Sand & Water - Live & More
Siphokazi – Ethembeni

Male Artist of the year
WINNER: Professor – University Of Kalawa Jazmee
DJ Kent – I Can’t Survive
Loyiso Bala – Full Circle
Theo Kgosinkwe – Grateful
Zakes Bantwini – Love, Light & Music

MTN Record of the year
WINNER: Imoto – Professor
Alone – Liquideep
Breathing – Prime Circle
Bum Bum – Zakes Bantwini
Dreamer – Arno Carstens
Fire Is Low – Freshly Ground
Get Busy Living – Goldfish
Hobie Beach – Kinky Robot
It's A Party – Jozi
Lovesick – The Arrows
Love You Better (w/ Rue-Groove) – Crazy White Boy
Mama (w/ Ringo) – Black Coffee
Ngisemthanda (w/ Joocy, DJ Tira & Dr Duda) – DJ CNDO
Potoko (w/ Juice Matute) – DJ Mahoota
Show Dem (w/ HHP) – JR
Turn Up The Volume – Auriol Hays
Twisted – Crash Car Burn
Warrior – Louise Carver
Woza – Jaziel Brothers
Wrong For You – Loyiso

Album of the year
WINNER: Liquideep – Fabrics Of The Heart
Flash Republic – Killer Moves
Prime Circle – Jekyll & Hyde
Professor – University Of Kalawa Jazmee
Zakes Bantwini – Love, Light & Music