The South African Music Awards 2025 (SAMA31) have officially unveiled their nominations, spotlighting the best in South African music across genres such as amapiano, afro pop, hip hop, jazz, gospel, rock, and traditional music. Scheduled for November 2025, the awards will recognize both established stars and rising voices, while also celebrating African artists through the Rest of Africa Award.
The Rest of Africa Award brings continental powerhouses into the mix, including Wizkid, Tems, Ayra Starr, and Fireboy DML.
These nominations emphasize the diversity and global influence of South African music, while also aligning the SAMAs as a continental benchmark for excellence.
Full List of SAMA 2025 Nominees
Best Adult Contemporary Album
- Just 6 – uKhisimusi – An African Christmas
- Melanie Scholtz – Seven
- Tony Drake – Room For Everyone
- Nue Sam – Nonyezi
- The Morning After – Look At You Now
Best African Adult Contemporary Album
- Zamajobe – UMI
- Thandiswa Mazwai – Sankofa
- Zoe Modiga – Nomthandazo
- Ndu Shezi – Isibusiso Sami
- Mthuthu – Indumiso YabeNguni
Best Afro Pop Album
- Nomfundo Moh – Twenty Four
- Malik – Malik
- Sjava – Isibuko (Deluxe)
- Sjava – Inkanyezi (Live)
- Dalom Kids – Collaborations With Friends
Best Alternative Album
- Yoav & Jabulile Majola – Unyazi
- Zādok – Perspective: Black
- Francis Soal – Hindsight 2020
- Th&o – Emlotheni
- Spoegwolf – Berge
Best Amapiano Album
- Vigro Deep – Your Piano Is Not My Piano
- Kelvin Momo – Sewe
- Kelvin Momo – Ntsako
- Mellow & Sleazy – Midnight in Sunnyside
- Zee Nxumalo – Inja Ye Game
Best Classical/Instrumental Album
- John Lundun – In the Morning
- Chris Vale, Eugene Joubert, Franco Prinsloo, MarlizeHattingh – By Alle Skone Dinge
- Derek Gripper – Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper
- Vox Chamber Choir & Franco Prinsloo – A Season in Paradise
- Orecchiette – Awake for 22 Hours
Best Collaboration
- Kelvin Momo – Waze Wamuhle
- Black Motion – Takala
- Kususa – Ematshwaleni
- Matt Davies – Stay With Me
- Mas Musiq, Lawd Weezy & DJ Maphorisa ft TO Starquality, Chley & Kabza De Small – Amalanga
Best Dance Album
- Black Motion – The Cradle Of Art
- Dlala Thukzin – FINALLY FAMOUS TOO
- MÖRDA – Cr4zy!!..
- Shimza – Dreaming
- Caiiro – Caiiro
Best Engineered Album
- Black Motion – The Cradle Of Art
- Thandiswa Mazwai – Sankofa
- Sjava – Isibuko (Deluxe)
- Keenan Meyer – Reawakening
- Jeremy Loops – Feathers & Stone
Best Gqom Album
- Mr Thela – Tronics Land 3
- DJ Lag – The Rebellion
- Goldmax – Play At Your Own Risk
- DJ Sandiso – NANDE 3.0
- Lelowhatsgood – Next Level
Best Hip Hop Album
- Blxckie – See U Soon Delux
- Tony Dayimane – Red October: Induction
- Loatinover Pounds – Pray 4 Pitori
- Sizwe Alakine – Audio 2D; Dear Darkie
- 25K – Loyal To The Plug: The Life & Times of Don Kilograms
Best Jazz Album
- Nduduzo Makhathini – uNomkhubulwane
- Nick Ford – Terra Solus
- Nomfundo Xaluva – Ndilapha
- Last – Hope Dies Last
- Ncesh Nonxishi – Apho Kungenje
Best Maskandi Album
- Umafikizolo – Ngathi Nguye
- Phuzekhemisi – iPolotiki
- Khuzani – Angidlali Nezingane
- Ntencane – Alingeni
- Imithente – Amathambo Kagogo
Best Produced Album
- Zamajobe – UMI
- Black Motion – The Cradle Of Art
- Thandiswa Mazwai – Sankofa
- Qü – Reprise on 2nd Avenue
- Linda Sikhakhane – iLadi
Best Produced Music Video
- Soa Mattrix – Umbuzo
- MaWhoo & Mthandeni SK – Gucci
- TitoM & Yuppe – Tshwala Bam (Remix)
- Blxckie – South
- Shekhinah ft Moliy – Risk
Best R&B/Soul Album
- Mikhalé Jones – Too Many Promises
- Elaine – Stone Cold Heart
- Filah Lah Lah – On Air
- Clxrity – It’s Clear To See
- The Big Hash – Heartbreak Hotel (Deluxe)
Best Reggae Album
- Dread Lloyd – Mekwei
- Anela Jahmena – The Rise
- Dimahr – Flaws in Frame
- LUWE DA LION – After All
- Botanist – Area Code
Best Rock Album
- Bloumoord – VIR MEKAAR
- MaxX & Love – These Blues Might Get You Too
- Prime Circle – The World We Know
- The Man Motels – Old Wounds
- The Morning After – Look At You Now
Best Traditional Faith Music Album
- Betusile – Uyinqaba Yam (Jehovah Nissi)
- David Tebogo – The Journey (Part 1)
- Malusi Mbokazi – The Full Circle Revival
- Rofhiwa Manyaga – Rofhiwa Dzina
- Ayanda Ntanzi – According to Grace, A One Man Show
Best Traditional Music Album
- Keitumetse Mangate Production – moleele
- MmaAusi – Mmakgodu
- Makhadzi Entertainment – Miracle Child (Deluxe)
- Sabu Jiyana – Kwanomthandazo
- Pleasure Tsa Manyalo – Bakokota (EP)
Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album
- Pietman Geldenhuys – Vaalsand
- Ampie – Niemandsland
- Spoegwolf – Eindbestemming
- Neil Sandilands – Land & Sand
- Majo – Geraamtes
Remix of the Year
- TitoM – Tshwala Bam
- Woodblock DJs – Skuta Baba
- Jnr SA – Mngani
- Tycoon – Iza Mawala
- Mpho.Wav – Hlala
Rest of Africa Award
- Ayra Starr – The Year I Turned 21
- Bensoul – The Party & After Party
- Wizkid – Morayo
- Tems – Born In The Wild
- Fireboy DML – Adedamola
Best African Indigenous Faith Album
- Wacha Mkhukhu Wachumlilo – Re Kgoeletsa Magodimong
- JTG Gospel Choir – Morena Re Ya Leboga
- House Of Mercy – Busa Jeso
- Barongoa Ba Morena – Ikutana
- Di Bruin Gospel Projects – Nkapese Ka Maatla
Best Contemporary Faith Music Album
- SbuNoah – Heavenly Psalms – Level 2 (Live at Goshen City Church 2023)
- Nontokozo Mkhize – Lindiwe
- Mmangaliso – Living Word
- Jabu Hlongwane – Crosspower Experience 4
- Takie Ndou – The Glory