They promised it would knock our socks off and leave us speechless, and indeed it did.

From Unathi Msengana dropping the MF bomb, Minnie and Slikour dissing each other, to Riaan Cruywagen appearing as the ninth mystery host, it clearly was a night filled with SAMA Drama.

The night kicked off with songbird Zahara singing her hit track and album title “Loliwe”.

Following a cloud of bad press surrounding her record label TS records, Zahara cleaned up at the SAMA’s walking away with eight awards from Female Artist of the year to Album of the year. She made sure she mentioned her appreciation of her bosses in her acceptance speeches and looked truly humbled by her winnings.

AKA picked up two awards; Male Artist of the year and Best Street Urban Music Album. He took to twitter shortly afterwards saying “Where the haters? Where did they go? N*ggas said I was out of my mind for calling myself the prince”.

Later he took to Twitter again and tweeted “Thank you. Every fan. Every single one of you. I love you with all my heart”.

Micasa picked up three of the five awards they were nominated for, and gave a unique performance using cardboard props.

New mommy on the block, Zonke, picked up one award for Best African Adult Album.

Surely the biggest disappointment of the night was Durban rapper Zakwe. Word about town was that he would make a clean sweep and pick up all five of the awards he was nominated for. However, he failed to get one.

Many are still wondering if Unathi’s MF bomb was intentional or not. She let it slip when she introduced the nights two time SAMA winner AKA.

Fellow co presenter Pabi Moloi tweeted her shock saying “Did Unathi just say mothaf*cker*??!! Tjo! #SAMA18”.

It got the country talking so much that the words “mother F@#*ker” and “Unathi” were trending in South Africa on Twitter.

Slikour tried to pull a fast one on Minnie Dlamini by mentioning her alleged relationship with Kaizer Chiefs goalie Itumeleng Khune. Minnie was quick on her feet and retaliated by mentioning his very public break up with TV and radio presenter Bonang. Boom!

With his tail between his legs, Slikour went onto Twitter later and tweeted “Nice one @MinnieDlamini never saw that coming #MtnSama18”. Minnie responded “I don’t play games LOL great impromptu link”.

Some of the night’s best dressed included Miss South Africa Melinda Bam, Bonang Matheba and Thembi Seete. Gert Johan Coetzee did not fail to impress us with his miraculous gowns. Danny K looked sharp in black while his lovely new wife rocked a white gown.

Nothende got tongues wagging across the social networks when she stepped onto the stage in a black dress with a very high slit…just like Angelina Jolie at this year’s Oscars. It was so talk able it could have started its own Twitter page!

Somizi arrived in Alexandra McQueen heels which didn’t seem to go with the David Tlale outfit he wore, however, they we still very Somgaga.

Da Les from duo Jozi arrived carrying a huge duffle bag of some sort which left many of us wondering what on earth could have been in that bag that he couldn’t leave in his hotel room.

All in all, the event was a huge success. For a full list of the evening’s winners, read on:

Best Alternative Album
The Dirty Skirts for Lost In The Fall

Best Kiddies Album
Wendy Oldfield for Singalong Kidz Volume 2

Best Smooth Urban Music Album
Zahara for Loliwe

Best Contemporary Faith Music Album
The Plain Truth – We Are The Shining Ones

Best Classical and Instrumental Album
CH2 for Ping

Best Collaboration
Zahara featuring Georgy for Incwad’Encane

Best Jazz Album
Jimmy Dludlu for Tonota

Best Pop Album
Lloyd Cele for One

Best African Adult Album
Zonke for Ina Ethe

Best Rock Album
Shadowclub for Guns and Money

Best Traditional Music Album
Soul Brothers for Amaphutha

Best Traditional Faith Music Album
Solly Mahlangu for Mwamba Mwamba

Best Street Urban Music Album
AKA for Altar Ego

Best Sokkie Dans Album
Snotkop for Ek Laaik Van Jol

Best Adult Contemporary Album
Elvis Blue for Elvis Blue (2CD Special Edition)

Best Maskandi Album
Thokozani Langa for I-Protection Order

Best Kwaito Album
Big Nuz for Pound for Pound

Best Dance Album
Mi Casa for Mi Casa Music

Special Award:  Best Selling Album
Loliwe by Zahara

Special Award:  MTN Best Selling Mobile Music Download
Facebook by DJ Cleo

Newcomer of the Year
Zahara for Loliwe

Duo/Group of the Year
Mi Casa for Mi Casa Music

Male Artist of the Year
AKA for Altar Ego

Female Artist of the Year
Zahara for Loliwe

MTN Record of the Year
These Streets by Mi Casa

Album of the Year
Loliwe by Zahara

Images courtesy of SA Music Awards.