The Annual South African Music Awards (SAMA) journey has officially begun with entries opening from 1 November 2016 until 31 January 2017 – that’s a once off three-month submission period. The awards are classified as the premier annual music awards event in South Africa honouring and recognizing accomplishments in the South African recording industry, and to celebrate the diversity infused in the different music genres.
Produced and hosted under the auspices of The Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA), the awards showcases the country’s finest musical talent and awards the previous year’s star performers at a gala event that is broadcast live on TV. The 23rd edition of the SAMA takes place in 2017. Three more popular categories have been added for SAMA23 i.e. the Best African Indigenous Gospel album (Clap & Tap/Zion Music), Best Africa Artist album and Best AfroPop album.
For further information of what comprises all categories represented in the SAMA, please visit the SAMA website on www.samusicwards.co.za.
The SAMA entries are open to all artists who have released an album between the 1st December 2015 and 31st January 2017. The album must be commercially available in order to qualify for entry. All recording artists and recording labels whose artists qualify are encouraged to submit their entries during this period.
As the only music awards event that recognises and awards the different music genres in South Africa, being in line to be considered for the coveted prized statuette is a monumental achievement (let alone winning it) for any South African artist, group, producer or engineer.
HOW TO ENTER
Entry forms must be completed and submitted online at www.samusicawards.co.za and must be accompanied by:
The prescribed number of copies of the entered album or DVD;
Any other material required for the particular category (see check list on entry form); and
The entry fee for each category.
Proof of payment of the prescribed RiSA levies in respect of all the units manufactured up to the date of entry of the entered album or Live Audio Visual Recording/DVD, if the entry was released by a member of RiSA.
All of the above must reach RiSA by no later than the published closing date of the competition, being 31st January 2017.
For those who are unable to enter online, there will be a help desk at the RiSA/SAMA offices at Unit 2, 152 Bram Fischer Drive, Randburg.
ELIGIBILITY FOR ENTRY
Entries are open to RiSA members and non-RiSA members alike. Entries are open in respect of any
qualifying recording artist, director, producer or engineer, being a person who: Is a South African citizen or has been a permanent resident in South Africa, for a minimum of six (6) months on the date of entry.
ALBUM GENRE CATEGORIES
In any category where there are less than three nominees, those nominees will not be eligible for an award but will receive a nominee certificate. Reggae is currently bundled under Best RnB/Soul/Reggae Category, for lack of entries.
GENERAL
All recordings submitted for the 23rd Annual SA Music Awards must have been commercially released (in other words first made available for purchase) in South Africa during the period 1st December 2015 to 2017 (“the entry period”). All music videos submitted for the 23rd Annual SA Music Awards in the category “Best Music Video of the Year” must have been flighted by a television broadcaster in South Africa during the period 1st December 2015 to 31st January 2017.
Unless otherwise stated, awards are presented for album releases. An album is defined as a commercially available compact disc/vinyl or a commercially available digital only release.
Entries are submitted by record companies/individual artists, in accordance with the published South African Music Awards Rules.
DOWNLOAD COMPLETE RULES AND REGULATION HERE or HERE
For more information on how to enter the SAMA’s, please visit: www.samusicawards.co.za or visit www.risa.org.za , or call RiSA at 011 886 1342.