Time flies so quickly. Are we really only 2 weeks away from one of the most prestigious awards ceremony on our entertainment calendar? Yes, that's right. We're talking about the SAMA’s - and they're happening on the 28th of April 2014. It's real outchea guys.

Excitement is already running high as people debate who will snatch the coveted Album of the Year award. If we were betting people we’d be tempted to put R200 on Mafikizolo winning this one, as they did at the Metro F.M Awards. But we're not betting people, and we know that these awards are unpredictable (And that R200 can go a long way when it's time to put fuel in your tank!) However, one category that has been gnawing at our brains since the nomination announcement is the Best Kwaito Album category.

Now, you might wonder why Kwaito?  Look, there's no doubting that kwaito is one of the hottest genres of music to ever come out of South Africa. However, within the last few years Kwaito has taken quite a hit as people's attention has shifted to local house and hip hop, whose genres may be doing well but have a lot to thank kwaito music for.  The only acts that have truly revitalized the Kwaito legacy are the likes of Big Nuz, Professor and L'vovo. By no means are we saying that the genre is dead but; it sure has been in need of some resuscitation. For instance, take a look at the Best Kwaito Album category which comprises of: 

Alaska – The Revival

Big Nuz – Made in Africa

Character – Self-Control

Mandoza – Sgontsontso

Tzozo - Amabills

No disrespect to the nominees but the only name that holds weight in this category in terms of album popularity is Big Nuz whose album Made in Africa is undeniably excellent. There was a time when a Mandoza album dropped and the result would be that everyone, even non-Kwaito fans, knew about it. An Alaska single would take over the radio airwaves for weeks! The only reason that most of us know the track Zwimbiri is because of Big Brother housemate, Loko who nagged Biggie to play the song more than twice during the Saturday night party zones. 

Another reason why the health of Kwaito as a leading genre concerns us is that when the ZAlebs team attended the nomination announcement we were puzzled at how many people were expressed shock at the names they were hearing. In fact, we'll even admit that we were one of the culprits who were completely unaware that Character had an album out. (Oops!)

Maybe we should actually blame the marketing teams of these artists and not necessarily the artists per-se. Or maybe Kwaito has become a genre that's been engulfed by dance music. After all nowa days we'd rather Ytjukutja instead of throw our Zola 7's in the air.