Afro-pop duo Blaq Diamond flew high on the last night of the SAMA26 five night lockdown special

The duo's hit single Ibhanoyi came out tops to take the prestigious Record of the Year award. This is one of the two public voted awards where music fans make their voice heard by choosing from the top 20 songs shortlisted. Last night, rapper AKA won the Music Video of the Year award for Jika featuring Yanga Chief.

Dance music maestro Prince Kaybee made a clean sweep scoring major wins in the Album of the Year and Best Dance Album categories. He picked up the Male Artist of the Year earlier in the week to become one of the three most awarded artists of the 2020 edition of SAMA.

With three awards, Prince Kaybee is tied with jazz newcomer Ndabo Zulu (& Umgidi Ensemble) who won the Duo/Group of the Year tonight, having already won Newcomer of the Year and Best Jazz Album awards earlier in the week. Gospel legend, Bishop Benjamin Dube also walked away with three gongs for Best Live Audio Visual, Best Contemporary Faith Album and Lifetime Achievement Award.

Francois van Coke’s Dagdrome in Surburbia earned him the Best Rock Album award. Malumz on Decks claimed the Best Remix award for Shay’inumber. International Achievement honourees were Ndlovu Youth Choir.

True to the SAMA tradition, the performances were particularly spectacular with Kabza De Small and Sha Sha doing it for the Yanos as they set the place on fire with the Amapiano set of Koko and Tender Love performed with dancers in a dance studio.

Nasty C went to an empty warehouse-turned-club ripping the stage apart with dramatic lights, smoke, flames and explosions keeping him company as he debuted his newest singles That’s Hard and Palm Trees. Holly Rey, winner of last year’s Record of the Year, performed You on a rooftop soaking in the warm mellow tones of a Highveld sunset.

Taking viewers to the afterparty was an intoxicating mix of Amapiano club banger such as International by SAMA26 nominee Vigro Deep, while a montage of the highlights of the past five nights showing how South Africa partied in lockdown from the safety of their homes. 

The SAMA sprang a surprise twist with the appearance of Somizi Mhlongo dancing to Jerusalema, the song that has transformed into a global dance anthem by South African hitmaker Master KG featuring Nomcebo.

Hosts, actress Dineo Langa and comedian Donovan Goliath didn’t disappoint with the fashion. Langa dazzled in a red tiered and frilly ensemble by RethaOnline and Goliath sparkled in a sequined Palse suit.  

Presenters were TV host Jub Jub, TV and radio personality Smash Afrika, the Kings of the Weekend DJ Sphectacula and Naves and social media sensation Robot Boii.

The My Muze reaction crew of gospel legend Dr Rebecca Malope, comedian Skhumba Hlophe, radio personality DJ Ankletap, actor and comedian Tswyza and artist DJ Supta held court with entertaining results.

Nhlanhla Sibisi, RiSA CEO remarked: “It has been a great week of celebration and festivities. We at the SAMA are delighted that despite the Covid-19 restrictions of lockdown and social distancing, the show indeed has gone on. We extend our congratulations to all the musicians who received the prestigious SAMA, as well as the nominees and our honourees. Let’s stand by our artists and support their efforts. 

• SAMA26 was streamed on mymuze.com by Vodacom and broadcast on Mzansi Magic, DStv channel 161 from 3 to 7 August 2020 at 9.30pm. SAMA26 episodes are available on DStv Catch Up. 

#ForThaClub Winners

1. Best Rock Album:

- Dagdrome in Surburbia by Francois van Coke

2. Duo/Group of the Year:

- Ndabo Zulu & Umgidi Ensemble for Queen Nandi

3. Album of the Year:

- Re Mmino by Prince Kaybee

4. International Achievement Award

- Ndlovu Youth Choir

5. Best Remix

- Shay’inumber  by Malumz on Decks 

6. Best Dance Album: in Partnership with Yfm

- Re Mmino by Prince Kaybee

7. Record Of The Year:

- Ibhanoyi by Blaq Diamond

See the rest of SAMA26 winners below

#ForThaRoots Winners

1. Best Maskandi Album:

- Upopayi by Thokozani Langa 

2. Best Traditional Music Album: 

- Ungabanaki by Qadasi & Maqhinga 

3. Best Collaboration: 

- Say U Will by K.O featuring Nandi Madida 

4. Best Traditional Faith Music Album: 

- Calvary by Dumi Mkokstad 

5. Newcomer of the Year: 

- Ndabo Zulu & Umgidi Ensemble for Queen Nandi: The African Symphony

6. Best African Indigenous Faith Album: 

- Lona Ba Ratang Ho Phela by Amadodana Ase Wesile 

7. Best Jazz Album: 

- Queen Nandi: The African Symphony by Ndabo Zulu & Umgidi Ensemble 

8. Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album: 

- Sterker by Riana Nel 

9. Best of Africa Award: 

- A Good Time by Davido (Nigeria)  

#ForThaSoul Winners

1. Best  Afro Pop Album:

- Isphithiphithi by Samthing Soweto 

2. Best Reggae Album:

- True Stories by Bongo Riot Di Dancehall Wakanda 

3. Best African Adult Contemporary Album:

- Folklore-Chapter 1 by Pilani Bubu 

4. Best Adult Contemporary Album:

- Africa by Ndlovu Youth Choir 

5. Best R&B/Soul Album:

- My Heart To Your Soul by Lungisa Xhamela 

6. Best Alternative Music Album:

 - Cult Pop by Lo-Ghost 

7. Best Contemporary Faith Music Album:

- Glory In His Presence by Benjamin Dube 

8. Male Artist of the Year:

 - Prince Kaybee for Re Mmino  

#ForThaStreets Winners

1. Best Kwaito Album:

 - Ikhenani by DJ Tira 

2. Beste Pop Album:

 - #Partytjiedier by Kurt Darren 

3. Best Pop Album:

 - Ghost by Mathew Mole 

4. Best Hip Hop Album:

 - Becoming A Popstar by Yanga Chief  

5. Best Selling DVD:

 - Volume 23 Live at CTICC by Joyous Celebration 

6. Best Selling Artist: 

 - Mlindo the Vocalist for Emakhaya  

7. Lifetime Achievement Award:

 - Dan Tshanda

#ForThaCraft Winners

1. Best Produced Album:

Scorpion Kings by MFR Souls, DJ Maphorisa, Vigro Deep & Kabza De Small

2. Best Live Audio Visual Recording:

- Glory in His Presence by Benjamin Dube 

3. Best Engineered Album:

- Into Dust/Waltz for Jozi by Peter Auret 

4. Best Classical Album:

- Andaluza - Music of Spain III by James Grace

5. Female Artist of the Year:

- Ami Faku for Imali

6. Best Produced Music Video:

- Fetch Your Life by Ofentse Mwase

7. Music Video Of The Year:

- Jika by AKA featuring Yanga Chief

8. Lifetime Achievement Award 

- Benjamin Dube