AIRCO congratulates all the nominees of the 14th MTN SAMA Awards. AIRCO members – most of whom are independent record company owners - call on the public, the artists and the media that support them to spare a thought for the generally silent but hard working record labels, that have put their best efforts into making sure their artists reach their ultimate potential with releases that are worthy of awards and acclaim such as this one.

Noteworthy of this year’s SAMA Awards nominations is the number of independent record companies and labels with artists spanning every category!

Their dominance is a source of pride for AIRCO.

We congratulate AIRCO Members Bula Music , African Cream Music , AKA Records , Melt Music Phase Two and Sting Music for their Artists' nominations, and wish them every success on the night. The MTN SAMA Awards are also to be congratulated for their role in acknowledging local product and building a prestigious award ceremony that celebrates excellence in South African music.

AIRCO wishes the Awards and all nominees every success with this, the 14th annual MTN SAMA Awards event.

The following nominees represent the independent music industry:

Best Male Solo Artist

• Black Coffee - 'Have Another One' [Kalawa Jazmee]
• Chris Chameleon - 'Ek Vir Jou' [Rhythm Records]
• Mccoy Mrubata - 'Brasskap Session Vol 1' [Sheer Sounds]

Best Female Solo Artist

• Karen Zoid - 'Postmodern World' [Just Music cc]
• Kb - 'My Rhythm' [Mathemo]
• Zonke - 'Life, love N Music' [Kalawa Jazmee]

Best Duo / Group

• Freshlyground - 'Macheri' [3 Ground Records/Instinct Africain]
• Ladysmith Black Mambazo - 'Ilembe' [GRC]
• Seether - 'Finding Beauty In Negative Spaces' [Musketeer Records]
• Soul Brothers - 'Amacala' [GRC]

Best Newcomer

• Tumi - 'No Guarantee' [J2 Records ]

Album of the Year

• Dj Cleo - 'Eskhaleni Phase 4' [Ghetto Ruff]
• Freshlyground - 'Macheri' [3 Ground Records/Instinct Africain]
• Zonke - 'Life, Love N Music' [Kalawa Jazmee]

Best Traditional / African Adult Contemporary DVD

• Benjamin Dube - 'In His Presence' [Spirit Music]
• Keke - 'Living Testimony' [Spirit Music]

Best Global Chart DVD

• Alan Ladd - 'County Live' [Fantasia Music Distribution]
• Chris Chameleon - 'Fight Of An Extraordinary Alien' [Rhythm Records]
• Harris Tweed - 'Live Under The Pillows' [Just Music cc]
• Johnny Clegg - 'Live At The Nelson Mandela Theatre' [Sting Music]

• Gerrie Pretorius - 'Ek Sing Vir Jou Bles' [Fantasia Music Distribution]
• Jan Blohm - 'Jan Blohm Live At The Performer' [Hathor Records]
• Retief Burger - 'Luidkeels Hersien' [Merchant Music]
• Snotkop - 'Snotkop Live' [Next Music ]
• Valiant Swart And Ollie Viljoen - 'Vuur En Vlam: Die Ateljee-sessies In Beeld' [Rhythm Records]

Best Music Video

• Freshlyground - 'Pot Belly' [3 Ground Records/Instinct Africain]
• Koldproduk - 'Hush' [Uproot Records ]

Extra Information for Finalists in Above Category:

• Mark Hofmeyr & Gwydion Beynon FOR Pot Belly BY Freshlyground
• Mic Mann FOR Hush BY Koldproduk
• Lara Hollis FOR Ixesha BY Lira
• Lourens Van Rensburg FOR I Want You Feat. Obita BY Loyiso Dan Roberts FOR River Jordan BY Vusi Mahlasela.

Best Producer

• Freshlyground - 'Macheri' [3 Ground Records/Instinct Africain]
• Jeff Maluleka - 'A Twist of Jeff' [Sheer Sounds]
• Wessel Van Rensburg - 'Happy@empty' [Grasland Records]

Extra Information for Finalists in Above Category:

• Joe Arthur & Victor Masondo FOR MaCheri BY Freshlyground
• Musa Manzini / Lawrence Matshiza FOR A Twist OF Jeff BY Jeff Maluleka
• Jimmy Dludlu FOR Portrait BY Jimmy Dludlu
• Crighton Goodwill FOR Blow Your Mind BY Loyiso Wessel Van Rensburg FOR Happy@Empty BY Wessel Van Rensburg.

Best Engineer

• Freshlyground - 'Macheri' [3 Ground Records/Instinct Africain]
• Niemand - 'This Is War' [No Man’s Land Music]
• Schalk Joubert - 'Kayamandi' [Lee Thorp Ent.]

Extra Information for Finalists in Above Category

• David Langemann FOR MaCheri BY Freshlyground
• Crighton Goodwill FOR Blow Your Mind BY Loyiso
• Marius Brouwer FOR This Is War BY Niemand
• Jurgen Von Wechmar FOR Kayamandi BY Schalk Joubert Johan Van Schalkwyk FOR Waarmaker BY Steve Hofmeyr.

Best Afrikaans Traditional Music Album

• Hennie De Bruyn En Die Kitaarkerels - 'Kitaar Skoffeltyd' [Fantasia Music Distribution]
• Mooiplaas Boere Orkes - 'Jan Botes Se Eie Komposisies' [GRC]
• Radio Kalahari Orkes - 'Die Nagloper' [Terraplane Music]
• Valiant Swart And Ollie Viljoen - 'Vur En Vlam' [Rhythm Records]

Best Tsonga Music

• Fanie Rhingani - 'Xirhandwa' [Xiavelo Business Solution]
• M.J. Hlungwani - 'Mafundhani' [GRC]

Best Mgxobanyawo Album

• Abafana Baka Molo - 'Induku' [GRC]
• Oguluva - 'Umuntu' [GRC]
• Soul Brothers - 'Amacala' [GRC]
• Themba Ngwenya - 'Impendulo' [GRC]
• Thokozani Langa - 'Phuma Kimi' [Bula Music]

Best Maskandi Album

• Imithente - 'Bambezakho' [GRC]
• Izingane Zoma - 'Amazwi Kashaka' [GRC]
• Phuzekhemisi - 'Sesihlangene' [GRC]
• Umgqumeni - 'I Juke Box' [GRC]

Best Traditional A Capella Album

• Joe Mafela - 'The Fort E No. 4' [GRC]
• Ladysmith Black Mambazo - 'Ilembe' [GRC]

Best Instrumental Album

• Kellerman - 'Colour' [Mastermax Productions]
• Pops Mohammed - 'Pops Mohammed Presents Healing Sounds From Mother Africa' [African Cream Music cc]
• Spha Bembe - 'Spha Bembe Presents The African Groove Experience' [African Cream Music cc]
• Tony Cox - 'Blue Athem' [Sheer Sounds]
• Trio Hemanay - '' [Trio Hemanay]

Best Contemporary Jazz

• Julian Bahula - 'Live Again' [GRC]
• Schalk Joubert - 'Kayamandi' [Lee Thorp Ent.]

Best Traditional Jazz

• Carlo Mombelli & The Prisoners Of Strange - 'I Stared Into My Head' [Instinct Africaine Records]
• Dan Wilson Mark Huggett Project - 'Max Roach Park' [Musketeer Records]
• Johnny Fourie - 'Once Upon A Time' [MELT Music Phase Two]
• Mccoy Mrubata - 'Brasskap Session Vol 1' [Sheer Sounds]
• Wessel Van Rensburg - 'Happy@Empty' [Grasland Records]

Best Adult Contemporary Album: English

• Flat Stanley - 'Between 2wo Worlds' [Just Music cc]
• Freshlyground - 'Macheri' [3 Ground Records/Instinct Africain]
• Karen Zoid - 'Postmodern World' [Just Music cc]
• Melanie Louw - 'Unspoken Truth' [Adventure Music]

Best Adult Contemporary Album: Afrikaans

• Andre G Nel - 'Wegkruip Tussen Lyne' [Tenore Recordings cc]
• Chris Chameleon - 'Ek Vir Jou' [Rhythm Records]
• Mathys Roets - 'Fluister' [MVA Productions]

Best Adult Contemporary Album: African

• Jeff Maluleke - 'A Twist Of Jeff' [Sheer Sounds]
• Palesa - 'Phantasy' [Bokone Music]
• Phinda Mtya - 'Yithi Paha' [Sheer Sounds]

Best Urban Gospel

• Andile Ka Majola - 'Chapter 3 Live In Durban' [Elinda Productions]
• Benjamin Dube - 'In His Presence' [Spirit Music]
• Intokozo - 'Repentance' [Outrageous Records ]
• Marion - 'Your Love Is Like' [Sarepta Music Distribution]
• Pascaline Mabushe - 'Running Back To You' [Merchant Music]

Best African Contemporary Gospel

• Hlengiwe Mhlaba - 'Blessings' [Izibusiso ]
• Keke & Tshepiso - 'Konyana' [Spirit Music]
• Keke - 'Living Testimony' [Spirit Music]

Best African Traditional Gospel

• Lundi - 'Impilo' [Bula Music]
• Lusanda Spiritual Group - 'Ndiphakathi' [GRC]

Best Traditional African A Capella Gospel

• Barorisi Ba Morena - 'Manyeloi' [GRC]
• Vuma Zion - 'Adam' [187 Records]
• Masibuyele Ku Jehova - 'Indaba Ye-vangeli' [Bula Music]
• Thulani Manana - 'Siyohlangana Egalile' [ ]

Best Pop/Rock Gospel

• Hanli Slabbert - 'Draw Me' [Merchant Music]
• Pieter McKarthy - 'Show Me Your Glory' [Sarepta Music Distribution]
• Reason - '' [Spirit Music]

Best Afrikaans Gospel

• Cornel Driessen - 'Lewendig' [Merchant Music]
• Jannie Du Toit - 'Diepverlange' [Maranatha Record cc]
• Juanita Du Plessis - 'Vlieg Hoog' [Fantasia Music Distribution]
• Retief Burger - 'Luidkeels Hersien' [Merchant Music]
• Rina Hugo - 'Die Nuwe Jerusalem' [Maranatha Record cc]

Best Kiddies Album: Afrikaans

• Graeme Sacks & Erika Strydom - 'Goggatjie Se Tradisionele Afrikaanse Kinderliedjies' [AKA Records]
• Lienka - 'Inafrikaans Se Kinderliedjies' [Mastermax Productions]
• Lize Beekman - 'Lize Beekman Lullabies' [Lize Beekman]

Best Country Music

• Alan Ladd - 'Sing Country' [Fantasia Music Distribution]
• Cheree - 'Country Girl' [Fantasia Music Distribution]
• Die Campbells - 'Klein Bietjie Liefde' [Select Music]
• Fredi Nest - 'Kom Kry Vir Jou' [Select Music]
• Ray Dylan - 'Hier Binne (Klop 'n Boerehart)' [Select Music]

Best Rock Album: English

• Niemand - 'This Is War' [No Man’s Land Music]
• Seether - 'Finding Beauty In Negative Spaces' [Musketeer Records]
• Taxi Violence - 'Untie Yourself' [Taxi Violence]
• The Parlotones - 'A World Next Door To Yours' [Sovereign Entertainment]

Best Rock Album: Afrikaans

• Andries Botha - 'Blou Planeet' [Vonk]
• Foto Na Dans - 'Intervensie' [Rhythm Records]
• Kobus! - 'Swaar Metaal' [Rhythm Records]
• Mel Botes - 'Ek Like Jou Ma' [Select Music]
• Van Coke Kartel - 'Van Coke Kartel' [Rhythm Records]

Best Alernative Music Album

• Insek - 'Maaiers' [Sheer Sounds]
• Mabi Thobejane & Thabang Thabane - 'Tm Africa' [MELT Music Phase Two]
• New Academics - 'City of Strange' [Sheer Sounds]
• Somerfaan - 'Kyk Of Sy Kyk' [Roar Agencies]
• Underbelly - 'For A Cynical Science' [Sheer Sounds]

Best Pop Album: English

• Jacques - 'The Colour Red' [RPM Division of Gallo]
• Wafeeq - 'Hit N Go' [David Gresham Record Company]

Best Pop Album: Afrikaans

• Anton Botha - 'Jakaranda' [Fantasia Music Distribution]
• Juanita Du Plessis - 'Volmaakte Kring' [Fantasia Music Distribution]
• Nicholis Louw - 'Hier Naby Jou' [Select Music]
• Shine 4 - 'So Elektries' [Select Music]

Best African Pop Album

• Jaziel Brothers - 'The Beginning' [Sheer Sounds]
• Martin Phike - '' [Faith Records ex Groove Luv]
• Speedy - 'Going Live' [999 Music]

Best Urban Pop Album

• Kb - 'My Rhythm' [Mathemo]
• Mina Nawe - 'Stronger' [Sheer Sounds]
• Mxo - 'Mxfunk' [Mlok Entertainment]
• Ntsiki Mazwai - 'Mamiya' [GRC]

Best Sokkie Dans Album

• Kurt Darren - 'Voorwarts Mars' [Select Music]
• Rudi Claase - 'Jambo' [Fantasia Music Distribution]

Best Urban Dance Album

• Black Coffee - 'Have Another One' [Kalawa Jazmee]
• Dj Cleo - 'Eskhaleni Phase 4' [Ghetto Ruff]
• Dj Ski And Big Dawg - 'Dj Ski vs Big Dawg Chapter 1' [Big Dawg Productions ]
• Kentphonik - '' [Soul Candi Records]

Best R&B / Neo-Soul Album

• Seed - 'Germinating' [GRC]
• Tumi - 'No Guarantee' [J2 Records]

Best Rap Album

• Jub Jub - 'My Shine' [Bonzo Music]
• Prokid - 'Dankie San' [TS Records]
• Slikour - 'Ventilation Mixtape Volume 2' [Buttabing Entertainment]

Best Kwaito Album

• Brickz - 'Estokfeleni' [Ghetto Ruff]
• Howza - 'Cut To The Chase' [Faith Records ex Groove Luv]
• Tzozo En Professor - 'Togetherness' [GRC]

Best Comedy Album: Afrikaans

• Andries Vermeulen - 'Jy Vry Lekker' [Fantasia Music Distribution]
• Thys Bosveldklong - 'Op Veiling' [Fantasia Music Distribution]
• Zak Van Niekerk - 'Ramkat' [Fantasia Music Distribution]
• Wicus Van Der Merwe - 'Vat Hom Pappie' [Select Music]