Who Do You Think Is Taking The Trophy?

The South African Music Awards are fast approaching. Pretty soon our timelines will be full of predictions and arguments of everyone defending their fave's right to win! 

Before we start getting into the predictions, let's refresh our memories. Here is the full list of #SAMA25 nominees: 

The category is a very close call!
- Anatii for his hit album, IYEZA
- Sjava's fan favourite album, Umqhele
- Black Coffee comes home with Music is King
- Nakhane gained international attention for You Will Not Die
- And Thokozani Langa's Iyabuza Induna

- Busiswa could win twice in a row with Summer Life
- Kelly Khumalo's major comeback, Unleashed
- Lebo Sekgobela's Umusa
- Sho Madjozi travelled the world with Limpopo Champions League
- And the iconic Zonke's L.O.V.E

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- Tshwane Gospel Choir for The Next Revival
- Spirit of Praise for Spirit of Praise Vol.7
- Ofeleba for Hi & Low
- Encore for Segarona
- Black Motion for Moya Wa Taola

- Black Coffee for Music is King
- Black Motion for Moya Wa Taola
- Sjava for Umqhele
- Vusi Nova for Manyan-nyan
- Zonke for L.O.V.E

- Mlindo The Vocalist for Emakhaya
- Paxton for This is me
- Sho Madjozi for Limpopo Champions League
- Simmy for Tugela Fairy
- Sun-El Musician for Africa to the World

Best Jazz Album
- Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane for Closer to Home
- Thandi Ntuli for Exiled
- Bokani Dyer Trio for Neo Native
- Tune Recreation Committee for Afrika Grooves with the Tune Recreation Committee
- Mandisi Dyantyis for Somandla

- Jarrad Ricketts for Break the Rules
- Paxton for This is me
- Majozi for Majozi
- Tresor for Nostalgia
- Tholwana for 2.0.1.5

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Best Live Audio Visual Recording
- Neyi Zimu for Another Level of Worship
- Krone Various Artists for Krone 5
- Jabu Hlongwane for Crosspower Experience 3
- Cassper Nyovest for Fill up Orlando Stadium
- Spirit of Praise Vol 7 fro  Spirit of Praise 7

Best Maskandi Album
- Thokozani Langa for Iyabuza Induna
- Ofeleba for Hi & Low
- Sgwebo Sentambo for Yekani Umona
- Mbuzeni for Ungishiyelani
- Ichwane Lebhaca for Imali Yesoso

Rest of Africa Artist
- Diamond Platnumz for A Boy From Tandale
- Kommanda Obbs for Kommanda Obbs
- Mr Eazi for Lagos to London
- Nixon for Who We Are
- The late Oliver Mtukudzi for Hany'ga

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- Kelly Khumalo again for Unleashed
- Mlindo The Vocalist for Emakhaya
- Simmy for Tugela Fairy
- Another one for Sjava for Umqhele
- Vusi Nova for  Manyan-Nyan

The brand new category brings the genre's stars to the forefront!
- Black Dillinger for Mavara is King
- The Meditators for Explosion
- Ras Vuyo - Diversion
- Botanist for Game Changer
- Bongo Riot for Next Levels           

Best Hip Hop Album
- AKA for Touch my Blood
- Emtee for DIY2
- Jabba X gets a tribute and #FGTBB
- Kid X for Thank Da King
- Nasty C's globally respected Strings and Bling

- Tshwane Gospel Choir for The Next Revival
- Khaya Mthethwa for All About Jesus
- Neyi Zimu for Another Level of Worship
- Ntokozo Mbambo for Moments in Time
- We Will Worship for Seasons Volume 1

Best Dance Album
- DJ Fistaz  for Mixwell Summer
- Sun-El Musician for Africa To The World
- Mobi Dixon for 10 Steps Forward
- Black Coffee for Music is King
- Black Motion for Moya Wa Taola

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Best African Adult Contemporary Album
- Anatii for IYEZA
- Encore for Segarona
- Nathi for Iphupha Labantu
- Ntokozo Mbambo & Nqubeko Mbatha for  The Anniversary Project
- Tabia for The Journey

Best R&B/Soul Album
- Kabomo for  All Things Red
- Mlu for  A Day For The Universe
- Lady X for Love.Life.Complicated
- Zonke for L.O.V.E
- Nicksoul for Therapy

Best Kwaito/Gqom/Amapiano
Another first for the SAMAs this year 
- Busiswa for Summer Life
- Distruction Boyz for It Was All A Dream
- DJ Maphorisa for Gqom Wave Vol.2
- Sho Madjozi for Limpopo Champions League
- Spikiri for King Don Father

- DJ Capital for Skebe Dep Dep ft. Kwesta, Kid X, Reason, Youngsta CPT and Stogie T

- Prince Kaybee for Club Controller

- SPHEctacula and DJ Naves for Bhampa  

- Zakes Bantwini for Bang Bang Bang  

- Zakwe for Sebentin ft. Refiloe Maele Phoolo, Jabulani Tsambo; Lesego Moiloa; Senzo Mfundo Vilakazi; Ncazelo Mtolo

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- Sun-El Musician gets a double nomination here with - Sonini ft. Simphiwe Nhlangulela and Ntaba Ezikude ft. Simphiwe Nhlangulela

- Dj Sumbody for Monate Mpolaye ft. Cassper Nyovest, Thebe and Vettis

- Black Coffee for Drive  ft. David Guetta and Delilah Montagu

- Black Coffee forWish you were here ft. Asanda Lusaseni-Mvana

- Bongeziwe Mabandla ft. Spoek Mathambo for Bawo Wam

- Jeremy Loops for Gold  

- Mafikizolo ft. Jah Prayzah  -  Mazuva Akanaka   

- Sho Madjozi  for her hit Huku 

- The Parlotones  for Beautiful Life

- AKA for Touch my Blood               

- Kholeka for Your Word - Alibuyi Lilambatha Izwi Lakho 

- The Vocalist - Emakhaya   

- Nasty C for String and Bling 

- Zonke for L.O.V.E 

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Main image credit: Huffington Post

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