Cape Town - While the call to entry for this year's Samas kick into full gear, the organisers have announced changes in several categories on Wednesday.
The changes include: The Best Kwaito Album category is back, to replace the Best Kwaito/Gqom/Amapiano category. This category will encompass gqom and amapiano as sub-genres under the kwaito umbrella body. The Music Video of the Year Award has become a public voted category like the Record of the Year Award.
This will afford fans a chance to make their voices heard when it comes to the music video that got them entertained in the last year.
On the technical side, a newly minted category Best Produced Music Video has been introduced. It honours directors and producers of music videos. Music videos are storytelling tools and are aligned to the message of the song.
Directors and producers put much effort into ensuring that a brilliant quality music video that captures the desired outcome from the audience is made.
Nhlanhla Sibisi, RiSA CEO says in a statement to the press about the motivation behind the changes: "The reconfiguration of these awards is a part of a continuing exercise to keep the Samas relevant and a proper reflection of the trends and direction our music is taking. We still urge musicians to submit their entries for SAMA26 consideration. There is no bigger platform to honour and recognise local music talent across the spectrum than the South African Music Awards."
Entries will be open between 1 November 2019 and 31 January 2020.
Photo: Gallo