The South African Music Awards (SAMAs) is one of the most highly-anticipated ceremonies on Mzansi’s music calendar and next year marks its 24th installment.
With talent improving year on year, there’s no telling what next year’s ceremony will bring. And with the entries for the 2018 awards finally open – the search is on for the most eligible entrants.
Nhlanhla Sibisi, CEO of the Recording Industry of South Africa (Risa), announced that the entries for the prestigious Samas were officially open from 1 November 2017 to 31 January 2018.
To be eligible for entry, artists should have commercially released their albums during 1 February 2017 to 31 January 2018. Furthermore, artists should check the requirements of the categories in which they would like to enter.
The entries will be put through a stringent verification process followed by a robust judging process by industry expects as determined by record companies. They will be narrowed down to the top five nominees in each category. The winner will be decided and announced at a star-studded ceremony later in 2018.
Although the categories for 2018’s Samas will remain the same as last year, Nhlanhla tells DRUM there’s been a change in the rules for the best African category. “Last year a lot of South African artists thought they could not enter into the best African category because they would be entered into genre categories, but we have corrected that mistake. South African artists can now enter the best African artist category with no problems.”
Nhlanhla also encouraged artists to enter on time. “We have seen a year-on-year increase over the past two years and we wait with great anticipation to see the calibre of entries for Sama 24. The Samas have proved its resilience and mettle as the most coveted music honour South African artists aspire to receive. This is a call to everyone who is a qualifying artist to submit their entries for our consideration and not wait until the last day,” he says.
