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For immediate release: 13 April 2007
Diversity and excellence honoured at 13th Annual MTN SA Music Awards Gala Dinner
Sun City: In a fitting start to what is now known as the ?SAMA weekend? the opening ceremony of the 13th Annual MTN SA Music Awards honoured diversity and excellence in the South African recording industry when 23 awards were handed out.
The crème de la crème of the recording industry turned out to witness some of the country’s finest artists and technical experts take home SAMAs at a prestigious ceremony that was followed by a gala dinner at Sun City’s Amphitheatre. .
Previous Best Newcomer winner and multiple nominee (along with Siphokazi and Vusi Mahlasela), Simphiwe Dana, announced her intention to dominate this year’s awards by taking home Best Jazz Vocal Album for ‘The One Love Movement On Bantu Biko Street?
One of the country’s most gifted musicians, Paul Hanmer, earned a SAMA for Best Instrumental Album for ‘Accused No. 1 Nelson Mandela?while ‘Getting To Heaven Alive’’ earned multi-nominee Bheki Khoza the Best Instrumental Jazz Album SAMA.
Best producer was awarded to Moreira Chonguica and Mark Fransman for ‘The Moreira Project - The Journey Vol 1? and veteran South African music industry talent, Lloyd Ross, was named Best Engineer for his work on Vusi Mahlasela’s ‘Naledi Ya Tsela? which has earned a leading five nominations at the 13th Annual MTN SA Music Awards.
The explosion in recorded Afrikaans music was recognised by organisers when additional categories were added for this year’s event ?and at Friday’s ceremony Steve Hofmeyr’s ‘Laaities & Ladies?took home the SAMA for Best Kiddies Album: Afrikaans, and Klipwerf’s ‘Hantam Kwela?was awarded the Best Afrikaans Traditional Music Album SAMA. Chris Chameleon’s ?de Hemel?was named Best Adult Contemporary Album: Afrikaans while Best Rock Album: Afrikaans was awarded to Fokofpolisiekar’s ‘Swanesong?
The brand new category, Best Alternative Music Album saw Cape Town’s Lark earn the award for ‘Razbliuto?and it was Claire Phillips and her album ‘Say My Name?who took home the SAMA for Best R&B/Soul Album. Industry stalwart, Johnny Clegg, proved his dynamism when ‘One Life?was named Best Adult Contemporary Album: English while newcomer and multi-nominee, Siphokazi, proved she is a talent to be reckoned with when ‘Ubuntu Bam?was named Best Adult Contemporary Album: African. And, in another new category, Best Country Music Album, it was Fredi Nest’s ‘Hey DJ?that earned the accolade.
The astonishing growth in South Africa’s DVD market was also recognised by organisers at the 13th Annual MTN SA Music Awards, with the addition of several new categories here ?and Friday night’s event saw Best Live DVD awarded to Grammy Award winners, Soweto Gospel Choir for ‘Blessed Live In Concert?while Best Compilation DVD went to Mafikizolo’s ‘The Hits?
Gospel music remains a powerful force on the South African recorded music scene ?as the expanded and revised categories at this year’s event showcased. On the night it was Redeemed whose ‘Live In Soweto?triumphed in the Best Urban Gospel category while MIC’s Snapshot was awarded the SAMA for Best Pop/Rock Gospel Album for ‘Snapshot? Best African Traditional Gospel Album went to Jabu and Sipho’s ‘Send Your Fire?and Thulani Manana’s ‘Impi Kasathane?triumphed in the category, Traditional African Acapella Gospel.
In a night that saw the full spread of South African music celebrated, it was fitting that two of the country’s strongest traditional music genres were awarded ?Best Tsonga Music (XoTsnga) Album was given to MD Shirinda’s Gama Ra Nsele?while Best Mbhaqanga Album went to Bhekumuzi Luthuli’s ‘Inkinga Ngu R7?
With all eyes shifting to the Sun City Superbowl tomorrow night (April 14th) when the 13th Annual MTN SA Music Awards enters its final stretch, there is no doubt who is the winner of the moment ?South African music in all its glory
For further information, please contact:
Naima Mclean
Dreamcatcher
011 234 8650/ 079 517 9374
Dream5@dreammultimedia.co.za
Or
Lerato Maunatlala
011 234 8650/082 6475621
Dream4@dreammultimedia.co.za
ISSUED BY: SA MUSICAWARDS c/o RISA
150 Hendrik Verwoerd Drive (entrance on Republic Rd)
Randburg 2194
Tel +27 - 11 - 886 1342
Fax+27 - 11 - 886 2098
info@samusicawards.co.za
www.samusicawards.co.za
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