The South African Music Awards (SAMA31) celebrates the nation’s finest musical talent over a two-day event, honoring artists across a wide range of categories and showcasing inspiring performances. Congratulations to The Orchard distributed labels and artists on receiving 17 nominations!
Among the standout nominees is Black Motion, the renowned electronic music duo celebrated for fusing house beats with traditional African rhythms and multilingual vocals. No stranger to the SAMA spotlight with past wins for Ya Badimo (2016) and The Healers: The Last Chapter (2020), Black Motion returns with five nominations. Their critically acclaimed album, The Cradle of Art, is recognized in the categories of Best Produced Album, Best Engineered Album, Best Dance Album, and Best Collaboration. The duo, nominated for Duo/Group of the Year, is signed to Next Music.
Next Music celebrates eight additional nominations for artists across its roster, including MaxX & Love, Majo, The Man Motels, Dalom Kids, Tony Drake, and Mthuthu, covering categories such as Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album, Best Rock Album, Best Afro Pop Album, Best Adult Contemporary Album, and Best African Adult Contemporary Album.
The SAMA31 awards ceremony will take place in November 2025. Explore the recognized artists distributed by The Orchard below:
Best Maskandi Album
- Ntencane – Alingeni (Archrose)
Best Traditional Faith Music Album
- Bethusile – Uyinqaba Yam (Jehova Nissi) (Tox Media)
Best Hip Hop Album
- Sizwe Alakine – Audio 2D: Dear Darkie (Felicida Afrika Group Pty Ltd)
Best African Adult Contemporary Album
- Mthuthu – Indumiso YabeNguni (Next Music)
- Zoe Modiga – Nomthandazo (Bandabanda Agency Pty Ltd)
Best Adult Contemporary Album
- Just 6 – uKhisimusi – An African Christmas (Next Music)
- Tony Drake – Room For Everyone (Next Music)
Best Afro Pop Album
- Dalom Kids – Collaborations With Friends (Next Music)
Best Collaboration
- Black Motion – Takala (Song) (Next Music)
Best Dance Album
- Black Motion – The Cradle Of Art (Next Music)
Best Engineered Album
- Black Motion – The Cradle Of Art (Next Music)
Best Produced Album
- Black Motion – The Cradle Of Art (Next Music)
Best Rock Album
- MaxX & Love – These Blues Might Get You Too (Next Music)
- The Man Motels – OLD WOUNDS (Next Music)
Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album
- Majo – Geraamtes (Next Music)
Duo/Group of Year
- MaxX & Love (Next Music)
- Black Motion (Next Music)
