2007 SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS

The cream of the South African music industry gathered at the Sun City Superbowl on Saturday, 14 April for the 13th annual MTN South African Music Awards.

Recognising musical excellence across genres and the various facets of musical production, engineering and video production, a SAMA is one of the highest accolades a local musician can earn. Aside from the annual awards, three lifetime achievement awards were also handed out on the evening to globally renowned composer and pianist, Abdullah Ibrahim, legendary Mbaqanga group Soul Brothers, and recording industry stalwart Boet Pretorius.

Johnny Clegg walked away with a SAMA for Best Adult Contemporary Album: English, whilst Danny K won Best Pop Album: English for This Is My Time. Cassette walked away with the SAMA for Best Rock Album: English with Lark’s acclaimed Razbliuto winning the Best Alternative Music Album category.

Winners is the Afrikaans genre included Klipwerf Orkes (Best Traditional Afrikaans Music Album), Chris Chameleon (Best Adult Contemporary Album: Afrikaans), Steve Hofmeyr (Best Kiddies Album: Afrikaans), Fredi Nest (Best Country Album), Fokofpolisiekar (Best Rock Album: Afrikaans), Kurt Darren (Best Dance Album: Afrikaans) and Eden (Best Pop Album: Afrikaans).

SAMA host Kabelo won the Best Kwaito Album category, whilst The Soweto Gospel Choir continued their winning streak by picking up the award for Best Live DVD. Other winners in the major categories included Vusi Mahlasela, who won Best Male Artist for Naledi Ya Tsela, with Lloyd Ross winning Best Engineer for the same album.

Siphokazi scooped the Best Newcomer award as well as Best Adult Contemporary Album: African for Ubuntu Bam. DJ Sbu walked away with the coveted, viewer-voted Song of The Year award for the phenomenal Remember When It Rained.

The night however belonged to Simphiwe Dana, who received no less than four SAMA’s for her album One Love Movement on Bantu Biko Street. The album won in the categories Best Vocal Jazz Album, Best Contemporary Jazz Album, Best Female Artist and Album of the Year. Hot on her heels was Mafikizolo, who walked away with three SAMA’s for Best Duo/Group, Best Pop Album: African (both for Six Mabone) and Best Compilation DVD (for The Hits).