THE South African Music Awards (SAMAs) have become the embodiment of the phrase “the more things change, the more they stay the same”.
The 30th annual of the SAMAs were held this past weekend at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, South Africa.
It was a splendid affair involving celebs, fashion, song, dance, glitz and glamour.
The traditional characteristics of the much loved awards show were all brought back successfully in a spectacular full circle, as the night saw a return of multiple music genres echoing from the past.
From the original red carpet (at some point in time the SAMAs had a yellow carpet when MTN was the headline sponsor) at the foyer to the metallic tree shapes gong (which at some point became half glass).
Music legends, who took to the stage, included 1990s kwaito legend Arthur Mafokate and Chomee, who had the stage on fire with their hits from the early 2000s like Sika Lekhekhe. They also performed Queen’s My Zuz’uyajola.
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Not to be left out, pioneer hip-hop group Squatter Camp also took the audience down memory lane as they performed as the whole ensemble, being led by Slikour.
Former MetroFM presenter Penny Lebyane told NewsDay Life & Style that she was impressed by the #SAMA30.
“We have gone back in time and at the same time have embraced the new wave. The theme is less noise, more music and that’s what’s happening here. I am pleased, you can see my accessories are all musical instruments on my fingers,” Lebyane said.
Recording Industry of South Africa publicist Lesley Mofokeng said it was all about music.
“The SAMAs are mainly an event for the music industry and that’s where we have put our focus on, going back to our roots,” Mofokeng said.
Bucie also sang her heart out, leaving the audience in awe, while Motswako rapper Khuli Chana was not to be out done as he also easily got the crowd on its feet and rapping along.
In that same nostalgic spirit where the current closely mirrored the past, new school musicians also got to shine.
South Africa’s Nasty C, who is known as the Coolest Kid in Africa did what he is well known for on stage and later won an award for his collaboration with the late Kiernan “AKA” Forbes in the track Lemons to Lemonade.
Similarly, eMtee performed Roll Up, the hit song that catapulted him to stardom a few years ago.
Ghetto Ruff founder Lance Sterr, who is credited for discovering more than half the musicians in the 2000s in South Africa from Iko Mash, Brenda Fassie, Brickz, Mgarimbe, Ntando Bangani, Fly Chicks, Jozi, Ishmael Morabe, Bongani Fassie to Mercy Phakela, among many others, spoke to NewsDay Life & Style about the people he missed.
“You know, it would have been nice to have some of the people performing here one more time. Some are late, others quit music, some migrated and others just did silly things and now they are in jail. It would have been great to have Mapaputsi here, Mandoza, Brenda Fassie you know?”
The SAMA30, indeed, lived up to their theme as they had a record-breaking 66 acts from different musicians all taking over from each other in an intriguing succession without a single glitch during the live show which was broadcast on SABC1.
The main sponsor was Motsepe Foundation, a leaf that other sectors may borrow on how to truly empower the arts industry.
Lifetime Achievement Awards went to Sipho Makhabane and Ringo Madlingozi and were presented by Rebecca Malope and Arts minister Gayton McKenzie.