{"id":2311,"date":"2026-06-27T22:37:58","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T19:37:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zalebs.com\/news\/kabza-de-small-tops-sama-nominations-with-four-prominent-picks\/"},"modified":"2026-06-27T22:37:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T19:37:58","slug":"kabza-de-small-tops-sama-nominations-with-four-prominent-picks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zalebs.com\/news\/kabza-de-small-tops-sama-nominations-with-four-prominent-picks\/","title":{"rendered":"Kabza de Small Tops Sama Nominations With Four Prominent Picks"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>South African Music Awards (Samas) nominee Kabza de Small is already turning heads ahead of the big night, leading the race with four nominations. The DJ and producer\u2019s work is showing up across multiple categories, from Amapiano to collaborations, as the industry gathers to unveil this year\u2019s shortlists.<\/p>\n<p>The nods include recognition for his album <i>Bab\u2019Motha<\/i>, which lands in both the Best Amapiano Album and Best Engineered Album categories. On top of that, he\u2019s listed twice under Best Collaboration, tied to two standout tracks: <i>Abantwana Bakho<\/i> and <i>Dlala Ka Yona<\/i>.<\/p>\n<h3>Quick facts<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Kabza de Small leads the 2026 Samas nominations with four mentions.<\/li>\n<li><i>Bab\u2019Motha<\/i> is nominated for Best Amapiano Album and Best Engineered Album.<\/li>\n<li>Best Collaboration nominations: <i>Abantwana Bakho<\/i> and <i>Dlala Ka Yona<\/i>.<\/li>\n<li>The nominees were unveiled at Rockets in Bryanston on Thursday.<\/li>\n<li>RiSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi called the 2026 nominees \u201ca breathtaking symphony of South African sound\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Music\u2019s heavy hitters came together at Rockets in Bryanston on Thursday for the official reveal of this year\u2019s nominees. The evening set the tone for a wide-ranging celebration of sound, with the shortlist stretching across established powerhouses and emerging voices.<\/p>\n<p>Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi framed the 2026 selections as more than a list of strong recordings. He described the nominees as representing realized dreams, obstacles overcome, and creative paths that keep inspiring listeners, while also positioning the lineup as a meeting point between generations.<\/p>\n<p>In his remarks, Sibisi highlighted the variety of genres represented across the Samas slate. He pointed to Amapiano innovators, Motswako, jazz performers, gospel powerhouses, Lekompo, Afro-pop stars, Maskandi storytellers, and hip-hop visionaries\u2014all presented together as evidence of the country\u2019s depth of talent.<\/p>\n<p>He also suggested the industry is entering a \u201cgolden age\u201d where styles overlap, audiences keep expanding, and South African music continues to draw attention worldwide. With SAMA32, Sibisi said the event is set to be bigger, bolder, and more reflective of the richness of South Africa\u2019s musical identity than ever before.<\/p>\n<h2>Full list of nominees<\/h2>\n<h3>Best Adult Contemporary Album<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Abel Selaocoe\u2019s \u201cFour Spirits\u201d (Live) \u2014 Abel Selaocoe, Aurora Orchestra, Nicholas Collon, Bernhard Schimpelsberger<\/li>\n<li>Malachi\u2019s Dream \u2014 Tim Parr<\/li>\n<li>Wrapped in Rhythm, Vol.2 \u2014 Tutu Puoane, Metropole Orkest &amp; Jacome Bairos<\/li>\n<li>You Love Who You Love \u2014 Wandile Mbambeni<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Best African Adult Contemporary Album<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Isitifiketi \u2014 Jabulile Majola<\/li>\n<li>KwaNtu \u2014 Madala Kunene &amp; Sibusile Xaba<\/li>\n<li>Ngimuhle \u2014 Zawadi Yamungu<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Best African Indigenous Faith Album<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Difela \u2014 De Bruin Gospel Projects<\/li>\n<li>Monghali Mesia \u2014 Amadodana Ase Wesile<\/li>\n<li>Ngiya Bonga Baba \u2014 The New Believers in God Gospel Singers<\/li>\n<li>The Journey Continues \u2014 Abanqobi<\/li>\n<li>U Ta Hlamula \u2014 Zion Iskhalanga Academy<\/li>\n<li>Amaciko \u2014 Lwah Ndlunkulu<\/li>\n<li>Inkanyezi 2.0 (Live) \u2014 Sjava<\/li>\n<li>Out The Box \u2014 Nomfundo Moh<\/li>\n<li>Touch is a Move (Good Morning) \u2014 Samthing Soweto<\/li>\n<li>From The Hill \u2014 Charles Webster<\/li>\n<li>Handsome Luke &amp; The Heartbreakers \u2014 Mars Baby<\/li>\n<li>Listen Properly \u2014 Bombshelter Beast<\/li>\n<li>Throwing Stones \u2014 Archi<\/li>\n<li>Bab\u2019Motha \u2014 Kabza De Small<\/li>\n<li>Mthuthuzeli \u2014 De Mthuda<\/li>\n<li>N\u2019wana Wa Mutsonga \u2014 Kelvin Momo<\/li>\n<li>Thato Ya Modimo \u2014 Kelvin Momo<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Best Classical Instrumental Album<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>First Light \u2014 Marius Small-Smith<\/li>\n<li>Let the Children Play \u2014 John Lundun<\/li>\n<li>Light the Whole Sky \u2014 University of Pretoria Camerata<\/li>\n<li>Orchestrations \u2014 Guy Buttery<\/li>\n<li>Radio Gogo Worldwide \u2014 uBeyond<\/li>\n<li>Abantwana Bakho \u2014 DJ Maphorisa &amp; XDuppy, Kabza de Small feat Thatohatsi, Young Stunna &amp; Nkosazana Daughter<\/li>\n<li>Dlala Ka Yona \u2014 DJ Maphorisa &amp; XDuppy Enny Man Da Guitar, Focalistic, Ricky Lenyora, Uncool MC, Mellow &amp; Sleazy<\/li>\n<li>Shela \u2014 Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle, Mano<\/li>\n<li>Thandaza \u2014 Sam Deep, Thatohatsi<\/li>\n<li>Tobetsa 3.0 \u2014 Myztro, Leehleza, Shaunmusiq, Ftears<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Best Contemporary Faith Music Album<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Passover \u2014 Nqubeko Mbatha<\/li>\n<li>Testify (Live at 012 Central, Pretoria 2024) \u2014 Mmuso Worship<\/li>\n<li>The 37th Psalm (Live at Emperors Palace) \u2014 Ncebakazi Msomi<\/li>\n<li>The GAP \u2014 Brenden Praise<\/li>\n<li>The Ground We\u2019re On \u2014 Hle<\/li>\n<li>Amazwi Okubonga \u2014 MaWhoo<\/li>\n<li>Indigo Child II: Love &amp; Frequency \u2014 Da Capo<\/li>\n<li>The Most Wanted \u2014 JAZZWRLD, Thukuthela<\/li>\n<li>Bab\u2019Motha \u2014 Kabza De Small (Engineered by Thato &amp; Kabza De Small)<\/li>\n<li>Free \u2014 Nasty C (Engineered by Mike Manitshana)<\/li>\n<li>Ntu Futurism \u2014 L8 Antique (Engineered by Matthew)<\/li>\n<li>Orchestrations \u2014 Guy Buttery (Engineered by Guy Buttery &amp; Fuzzy)<\/li>\n<li>Touch is a Move (Good Morning) \u2014 Samthing Soweto (Engineered by Ross Dorkin)<\/li>\n<li>Dark or Durban 3 \u2014 Funky Qla<\/li>\n<li>Izinsimbi zaMakoya \u2014 DJ Tira<\/li>\n<li>New Wave \u2014 Blacks Jnr, Dankie Boi, GoldMax<\/li>\n<li>Puku Puku \u2014 Dladla Mshunqisi, Beast RSA<\/li>\n<li>Southside Mixtape \u2014 DJ Lag<\/li>\n<li>Boss Zonke Forever \u2014 Riky Rick<\/li>\n<li>The Secret Frequency \u2014 MashBeatz<\/li>\n<li>Ingoma Busuku \u2014 Paras \u201cSibalukhulu\u201d Dlamini<\/li>\n<li>Intlambululo: Ukuhlambulula \u2014 Mandisi Dyantyis<\/li>\n<li>Intlungu. Intlupheko. Imbilini \u2014 Temba Ncetani<\/li>\n<li>Ithemba Elitsha (A New Hope) \u2014 Lumanyano Mzi<\/li>\n<li>The Y-Factor Project \u2014 Billy Monama<\/li>\n<li>Amalandi Amathathu \u2014 Saliwa<\/li>\n<li>Khotha La (A Tribute To Mjikjelwa) \u2014 Ntencane<\/li>\n<li>Ngabe Ngiloyiwe \u2014 Smiramira<\/li>\n<li>Ng\u2019funa intozami \u2014 Mzukulu<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t Cry Because It\u2019s Over \u2014 Will Linley<\/li>\n<li>Last Call for Departure \u2014 Matt Gardiner<\/li>\n<li>Less Trouble \u2014 Shekhinah<\/li>\n<li>not the same. \u2014 Anica Kiana<\/li>\n<li>Ingoma Busuku \u2014 Paras \u201cSibalukhulu\u201d Dlamini (Produced by Nduduzo Makhathini)<\/li>\n<li>Less Trouble \u2014 Shekhinah (Produced by Shekhinah, Rudolph Willemse, imnotgoofy, Mzizi, Gregory Abrahams, Iam6teen, Brendon-Lee Earl Johnson, Master A Flat)<\/li>\n<li>Sacred Cycle \u2014 Mauritz Lotz (Produced by Mauritz Lotz)<\/li>\n<li>Therapy: The Other Side \u2014 Langa Mavuso (Produced by Darren Blackansee, Simphiwe Mashinini, Ndumiso Manana, Ndabo Zulu, Christer Kobedi, Civil Motha, Unako Chabeli, Langa Mavuso, Jabulani Nkabinde, Lindelani Lee, Seragi Thantsha, Mnqobi Bayanda Nxumalo, Zooci, Jonathan Takyi Mensah, Onkabetse John Hlongwane)<\/li>\n<li>Zinza \u2014 Banda Banda (Produced by Banda Banda)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Best-produced Music Video<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Abantwana Bakho \u2014 DJ Maphorisa &amp; XDuppy, Kabza De Small feat Thatohatsi, Young Stunna &amp; Nkosazana Daughter (Produced by Nyiko; Directed by Nyiko)<\/li>\n<li>Leftie (Dlala Ngcobo) \u2014 Nasty C &amp; Blxckie (Produced by Nasty C, Ayanda Ngcobo; Directed by Lordnelle)<\/li>\n<li>Partii \u2014 Kamo Mphela, Aymos, QUE DJ &amp; Jay Music feat SpacePose (Produced by Kamo Mphela; Directed by Lindo_Langa)<\/li>\n<li>Shela (feat. Mano) \u2014 Single \u2014 Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle, Mano (Produced by Nyiko; Directed by Nyiko)<\/li>\n<li>Wayside Lover \u2014 Msaki, Jesse Clegg &amp; Sjava (Produced by Nombuso Ngcobo; Directed by Marty Bleazard)<\/li>\n<li>Island 22 \u2014 Gemma Fassie<\/li>\n<li>It\u2019s Complicated \u2014 Maxine Ceasar<\/li>\n<li>Resurfaced \u2014 Lucille Slade<\/li>\n<li>Therapy: The Other Side \u2014 Langa Mavuso<\/li>\n<li>You, Me &amp; The 90\u2019s \u2014 lordkez<\/li>\n<li>Foreign Exchange \u2014 Ras Canly<\/li>\n<li>Forward We Continue \u2014 Don Dada<\/li>\n<li>Rasta Man Step \u2014 Layahn King<\/li>\n<li>Victorious \u2014 Red I Scorch<\/li>\n<li>Back From the Dead \u2014 We Kill Cowboys<\/li>\n<li>Die Ruimte \u2014 Francois van Coke<\/li>\n<li>Onkruid \u2014 Karel Bester &amp; Die Kraaines Band<\/li>\n<li>Scatterling Empire \u2014 Acid Magus<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Best Traditional Faith Music Album<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Back To The Altar \u2014 Ntethe<\/li>\n<li>Praise &amp; Worship In The Wilderness, Pt. 1 \u2014 Bucy Radebe<\/li>\n<li>Sound of Gratitude (Live at Urban Brew Dome) \u2014 Zaza<\/li>\n<li>The Watchmans Camp \u2014 Sindi Ntombela<\/li>\n<li>Worship in Newness \u2014 Puleng March<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Best Traditional Music Album<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Born For This \u2014 MetroBeatz RSA<\/li>\n<li>I Khant Do Dhis Enimo \u2014 King Monada<\/li>\n<li>Pleasure in 20 Years \u2014 Pleasure Tsa Manyalo<\/li>\n<li>Sesi Ka Rose \u2014 Makhadzi Entertainment<\/li>\n<li>Thath\u2019owakho \u2014 Soul Brothers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Beste Pop Album [Afrikaans]<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Dis Presies Wat Liefde Doen \u2014 Juan Boucher<\/li>\n<li>Troumateriaal \u2014 Brendan Peyper<\/li>\n<li>Aweh (Remix) \u2014 lordkez feat. Cassper Nyovest<\/li>\n<li>Eningi (Remix) \u2014 Kabza De Small, feat. Njelic, Mthunzi, Mkeyz, GL_Ceejay, Simmy<\/li>\n<li>Mabebuza \u2014 Mdu aka TRP Remix \u2014 Maline Aura, Drega, Mdu aka TRP<\/li>\n<li>Midnight (Black Motion Remix) \u2014 340ml, Black Motion<\/li>\n<li>Re-Amathambo (Remix) \u2014 Nduduzo Makhathini, Anna Widauer, Fka Mash<\/li>\n<li>After Midnight \u2014 Gyakie (Ghana)<\/li>\n<li>Iron Boy \u2014 Black Sherif (Ghana)<\/li>\n<li>Olamid\u00e9 \u2014 Olamide (Nigeria)<\/li>\n<li>REAL, Vol. 1 \u2014 Wizkid, Asake (Nigeria)<\/li>\n<li>This One Is Personal \u2014 Tiwa Savage (Nigeria).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>South African Music Awards (Samas) nominee Kabza de Small is already turning heads ahead of the big night, leading the race with four nominations. The DJ and producer\u2019s work is showing up across multiple categories, from Amapiano to collaborations, as the industry gathers to unveil this year\u2019s shortlists. The nods include recognition for his album [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2310,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Kabza de Small Leads SA Music Awards With Four Noms","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Kabza de Small dominates the South African Music Awards race with four nominations, including Bab\u2019Motha, as Samas shortlists revea","mma_seo_breadcrumb_text":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_url":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_hide_ui":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_labels":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2311","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-celebrities"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Kabza de Small Leads SA Music Awards With Four Noms<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Kabza de Small 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