EMI Music South Africa has delivered an astonishing performance ahead of the 19th Annual MTN South African Music Awards (MTN SAMA 19) with an incredible 26 nominations from 14 artists across 16 categories. Sultry songstress ChianoSky who enjoyed an incredible year in 2012 following the release of her debut album “Hungry” has been nominated in 5 categories; including Female Artist of the Year, Best Pop Album, Record of the Year, Best Engineer and Best Producer with Crighton Goodwill.
Dynamic trio, BlackByrd consolidated their position in the industry by garnering no less than 4 nominations. The Cape based group were nominated for the prestigious Duo or Group of the year, Best Adult Contemporary Album, Best Engineer and Best Producer with Mark Beling. Prime Circle, who are widely considered to be rock royalty in the industry came out with 3 nominations following their much awaited fifth album, “Evidence” in late 2012; Best Rock Album, Best Music Video of the Year and Best Producer with Theo Crous.
Golden girl of South African music Zahara returns with 3 nominations after reaching dizzying heights at last year’s awards; she is nominated in the Best Live DVD for “The Beginning LIVE” and Best Collaboration for the timeless hit “Hold on (Bambelela) featuring Leroy Bell and the Soweto Gospel Choir and Record of the Year. The irrepressible PRO clinched a nomination in the hotly contested Best Rap Album category for his 2012 offering, “Continua”.
Gangs of Ballet who quickly shot up on most people’s lists for talented rock bands clinched a nomination in the Best Music Video of the Year category with Salomon Ligthelm for their incredible song “Hello Sweet World”. Riot stepped away from Gang of Instrumentals to release his solo album in 2012 and his much loved collaboration with Zahara for “Thetha Nami” received a nomination in the Best Collaboration category and also for Record of the Year.
Eastern Cape native Ntombethongo who enjoyed a very successful year in 2012 following the release of his album “Thokozile” was nominated in the Best Maskandi Album. The evergreen and irrepressible Dr Thomas Chauke – Na Shinyori Sisters were nominated in the Best Traditional Album for their offering “Shimatsatsha No.31”. The incredibly talented duo CH2 who have grown in leaps and bounds over the past year are nominated in the Best Classical and Instrumental Album category for their “CH2 Guitar Duo Live with the UP Symphony Orchestra” offering. Last but certainly not least, the popular and eagerly anticipated Best Traditional Faith Music Album category is dominated by 3 EMI artists, namely Rebecca, Winnie Mashaba and Hlengiwe Mhlaba. The Record of the Year (RoY) category is also dominated by EMI artists, with four (4) nominations for:
ChianoSky – Walking Away,
Riot – Thetha Nami,
Zahara – Umthwalo
HHP – Bosso
Their fans will get the chance to vote for them at a later stage when the voting details are announced.
