THE 27th ANNUAL SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC AWARDS - GENERAL RULES 2020
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THE 27th ANNUAL SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC AWARDS
GENERAL RULES
2020
RiSA Unit 1 l 152 Bram Fischer Drive l Randburg 2196
T +27 (11) 886 1342 l F +27 (11) 886 4169 www.samusicawards.co.za
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
A The sequence of Key Events in the Awards process
B How to enter
2. GENERAL RULES
A Eligibility for Entry
B Prizes
C Broadcast and Exploitation rights
D Entry Fees
E General
3. CATEGORIES RULES AND REGULATIONS
3.1 TOP 5 CATEGORIES
A Album of the Year
B Duo or Group of the Year
C Female Artist of the Year
D Male Artist of the Year
E Newcomer of the Year
3.2 ALBUM GENRE SUPER CATEGORIES
A Best Rock Album
B Best Pop Album
C Beste Pop Album
D Best Adult Contemporary Album
E Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album
F Best African Adult Contemporary Album
G Best Alternative Album
H Best R&B / Soul Album
I Best Hip Hop Album
J Best Kwaito Album
K Best Amapiano Album
L Best Gqom Album
M Best Dance Album
N Best Traditional Faith Music Album
2RiSA Unit 1 l 152 Bram Fischer Drive l Randburg 2196
T +27 (11) 886 1342 l F +27 (11) 886 4169 www.samusicawards.co.za
O Best Contemporary Faith Music Album
P Best African Indigenous Faith Music Album
Q Best Traditional Album
3.2 ALBUM GENRE SUPER CATEGORIES (CONTINUED)
R Best Maskandi Album
S Best Jazz Album
T Best Classical/Instrumental Album
U Best Afro Pop Album
V Best Reggae Album
3.3 SPECIAL AWARDS
A Lifetime Achievement Award
B International Achievement Award
C Best Selling Awards
C1 Best Selling Artist
C2 Best Selling Live Audio Visual
D Rest Of Africa Award
E Most Streamed song of the year
3.4 TECHNICAL CATEGORIES
A Best Produced Music Video
B Best Produced Album of the Year
C Best Engineered Album of the Year
D Remix of the Year
E Best Live Audio-Visual Recording of the Year
F Best Collaboration
3.5 PUBLIC VOTE CATEGORY
Record of the Year
Music Video of the Year
3RiSA Unit 1 l 152 Bram Fischer Drive l Randburg 2196
T +27 (11) 886 1342 l F +27 (11) 886 4169 www.samusicawards.co.za
1. INTRODUCTION
The South African Music Awards (SAMAs) exist to recognize accomplishments in the South African recording
industry, by honoring and celebrating those groups and individuals who have excelled in the relevant entry or
qualifying period. The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) is the organizer and host of the SAMAs.
A. THE SEQUENCE OF KEY EVENTS IN THE AWARDS PROCESS
1) The 27th Annual South African Music Awards (“SAMA27”) will open for entry on 26th November 2020, and
close on 31 January 2021. An official announcement will be made prior to the opening date through direct
communication to the members of the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA), as well as public
announcements through various media platforms including the SAMA and RiSA websites.
2) Record companies and individual artists are required to submit entries in accordance with the published
rules of the South African Music Awards (SAMA Rules).
3) The entries received are then screened for compliance with the SAMA Rules in order to ensure that they
are eligible and that they were submitted into the correct award categories. Vetting Committee members
overseen by designated SAMA officials, carry out this screening process, known as vetting.
4) No artistic or technical judgments are made during vetting, and all ineligible entries that do not comply with
the SAMA Rules are disqualified subject to the RiSA office informing the relevant entrants and providing
them with reasons. Entries that are found to be in the incorrect categories do not get disqualified but the
Vetting Committee may move them to more appropriate places in consultation with the entrants, who shall
have the final say on the location of their entries.
5) A panel of judges adjudicates all SAMA categories with the exception of the Public Vote, Lifetime
Achievement, International Achievement and Best Selling awards. Generally, there is a different judging
panel for each category and its composition gets reviewed annually. Members of the Steering Committees
select the judges and members of the Supervisory Committee confirm them, taking into account their level
of expertise in the relevant category, and their general knowledge of the music industry.
6) After the vetting process has concluded, all eligible SAMA entries are forwarded to the judges who
adjudicate using the SAMA electronic judging system, in accordance with defined guidelines and by
applying the assessment criteria for each category. The SAMA electronic judging system configured with
a weighting criterion for each category, which is not visible to the judges. The weighting criterion is pre-
determined by the members of various Steering Committees and it contributes to the final ranking of the
judges’ choices in each category.
7) In the interest of uniformity, independent auditors collate the results returned by judges into auditable sets.
The auditors then calculate the results on which the list of five nominees per category is based and they
ensure that the choices of the judges have been arrived at in accordance with all the relevant rules of each
category.
8) Once the nominees for all categories have been collated, they are announced at RiSA’s discretion.
9) Finally, the winners are announced at the Awards Ceremony.
4RiSA Unit 1 l 152 Bram Fischer Drive l Randburg 2196
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B. HOW TO ENTER
RiSA provides entrants with forms that must be completed and submitted online. On completion of the online
entries, the following assets are required to have reached the RiSA office by no later than the published closing
date of the competition, failing which the entry is disqualified:
1) If an entry is by a member of RiSA, the proof of payment of the prescribed RiSA levies up to the date
of entry and RiSA membership fee.
2) The proof of payment of the entry fees for each category entered.
3) The prescribed number of copies of the entered album, single or DVD, in the specified format.
4) A declaration of all licensed recordings on any album entered, in particular for the Best Dance, Best
Hip Hop and Best Kwaito album genre categories.
5) In the Best Collaboration category, written approval by a collaborating artist who is not signed to the
entrant,
6) In the Best Remix category, the original recording must be submitted and the original repertoire owner
must authorize the entry in writing
7) The prescribed publicity materials of groups or individuals entered into the SAMAs.
A help desk with designated SAMA officials will be made available at the RiSA offices for those who are unable to enter
online.
2. GENERAL RULES
A. ELIGIBILITY FOR ENTRY
1. Entries are open to RiSA members and non-RiSA members alike. Entries are open in respect of any
qualifying groups or individuals being a person who:
1.1 except for the Rest Of Africa Award category, is a South African citizen or someone who has
been granted a permanent resident status in South Africa for a minimum period of six (6)
months prior to the date of entry; and:
1.2 is a South African entity and owns or controls the master recording relating to the entry in
question.
1.3 being in a duo or group formation, not less than fifty percent (50%) of the members of the
duo/group must comply with the citizenship or permanent residency criteria set out in Clause
2, above.
2. RiSA reserves the right to request documented/written proof that all groups or individuals qualify as set
out in 2A1 above. The documents which may be requested include, amongst others, the following
documents issued by the Department of Home Affairs:
2.1 South African identity document.
2.2 Permanent Residence Permit.
3. Unless the category states otherwise, the entries of collaborations between qualifying South African
groups or individuals and their international counterparts are allowed; provided that the participation of
the South African groups or individuals is given a star or equal billing.
4. The entry period for the 27th Annual SA Music Awards is as follows:
4.1 All recordings (singles and albums) submitted for the 27th Annual SA Music Awards must
have been commercially released (in other words first made available for purchase) in South
Africa during the period 01 February 2020 to 31 January 2021 (“the entry period”).
5RiSA Unit 1 l 152 Bram Fischer Drive l Randburg 2196
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4.2 All music videos submitted for the 27th Annual SA Music Awards in the category "Best
Produced Music Video must have been shown by a television broadcaster or published on
any digital platform during the period 01 February 2020 to 31 January 2021 (“the entry period”).
4.3 All songs short-listed for the 27th Annual SA Music Awards in the Record of the Year
category will be adjudicated based on cumulative airplay over the period 01 March 2020 to the
31 March 2021 (“a once off 13 months the qualifying period”). The method employed by the
independent auditors in determining the shortlist will take into consideration the number of
plays (“spins”) achieved during the qualifying period. A single tracking source, (e.g.
Radiomonitor), will be used in determining the shortlist for Record of the Year for SAMA27.
4.4 All music videos short-listed for the 27th Annual SA Music Awards in the Music Video of the
year category will be adjudicated based the most played music videos sourced from RiSA Audio
Visual Licensing NPC over the period 01 March 2020 to the 31 March 2021 (“a once off 13
months the qualifying period”).
5. Unless otherwise stated, awards are presented for album entries. An album is defined as a commercially
available release in any currently known format, subject to the following:
5.1 it must contain not less than four (4) tracks of previously unreleased recorded performances
(Remixes are excluded). The following are excluded from this requirement:
5.1.1 Category 3.3(A) – Lifetime Achievement Award
5.1.2 Category 3.3(B) – International Achievement Award
5.1.3 Category 3.3(C2) – Best Selling Live Audio Visual
5.1.4 Category 3.3(D) – Best Collaboration
5.1.5 Category 3.4A) – Music Video of the Year
5.1.6 Category 3.4(D) – Remix of the Year
5.1.7 Category 3.4 (E) – Best Live Audio-Visual Recording
5.1.8 Category 3.5 – Record Of the Year
5.2 50% of the album must feature different and previously unreleased sound recordings by the
artist or group entered (in other words, no re-released albums or “best of” or “greatest hits”
compilations and the like).
6. Album combinations by different artists packaged together as a single catalogue/release may be
individually submitted into the genre category that is most reflective of the majority of each recording as
if they were separate albums, as long as they satisfy the provisions of Clause 4 and Clause 5 above.
Please note that such submissions will be treated as separate entries, with each requiring entry fees.
7. Album combinations by an artist where there is more than one-disc comprising of distinctly different
genres are entitled to be entered in each relevant genre category as if they are all separate albums as
long as they satisfy the provisions of the SAMA Rules. Please note that such submissions will be
treated separate as entries, with each requiring entry fees. PS: For the purpose of this rule, one
disc represents an album
8. Entries in album genre categories must be comprised of a predominance of 70% of tracks pertinent
to the genre being entered into.
6RiSA Unit 1 l 152 Bram Fischer Drive l Randburg 2196
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9. Each category except categories 3.3(A), 3.3(B), 3.3(C) and 3.5 is made up of exactly five (5)
nominees. Should less than five (5) entries be received, then the category concerned will be abandoned
in that particular SAMA year.
10. Entrants may only submit an album into one album genre category. Further submission of albums
already entered into genre categories are only permitted in the Best Selling Artist, Best Produced Album
and Best Engineered Album categories, which are genre neutral.
11. No entry will be considered if the entrant has failed to settle any outstanding fees owing to RiSA.
B. PHYSICAL PRODUCTS (CDs / DVDs / BLU-RAY etc.)
Recordings submitted for entry that were manufactured prior to 01 February 2020, but only commercially
released during the entry period will qualify for entry ON CONDITION that written proof of release details for the
entry period is submitted together with the fully completed entry form. RiSA shall be entitled to request and be
provided with further proof, at its discretion.
C. PRIZES
1. Cash prizes and statuettes are awarded only to the winning groups or individuals except where the
category states otherwise, as the case may be.
2. Groups or individuals who are nominated in any category are expected to attend the awards ceremony
and those who fail to attend the awards ceremony will not be eligible to receive the cash element of
their award. Exceptions to this rule will be considered provided that an application is made by the
nominee, giving written notice of their inability to attend, with an accompanying motivation to be received
by RiSA within fourteen (14) days of the nominees being announced. The application may be sent to:
info@samusicawards.co.za and/or support@samusicawards.co.za.
3. Should the application for absence be successful, the nominee may be required to record an audio-
visual message for each category they are nominated in. The recorded message may be used for
broadcast or other publicity purposes, and a copy thereof must be delivered to RiSA by no later than
11 May 2021.
4. The cash prizes awarded to the winners for the 27th Annual SA Music Awards are as follows:
TOP 5 CATEGORIES (excluding “Album of the Year‟) = R 15 000.00
ALBUM OF THE YEAR = R 25 000.00
GENRE CATEGORIES = R 10 000.00
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD = R 20 000.00
INTERNATIONAL ACHIVEMENT = R 20 000.00
TECHNICAL AWARDS = R 10 000.00
BEST SELLING AWARDS = R 10 000.00
PUBLIC VOTE CATEGORIES = R20 000.00
MOST STREAMED SONG OF THE YEAR = R10 000
7RiSA Unit 1 l 152 Bram Fischer Drive l Randburg 2196
T +27 (11) 886 1342 l F +27 (11) 886 4169 www.samusicawards.co.za
Cash prizes will be paid to the winning artist(s), producer(s), engineer(s) or director(s).
Cash prizes will not be paid earlier than 30 days after the date of the Main Award Ceremony.
Cash prizes need to be collected or claimed by no later than One (1) Year after the live broadcast event.
D. BROADCAST AND EXPLOITATION RIGHTS
1. In order to produce the awards event, each entrant and every group or individual nominated as a finalist
(“the nominee”) in any category warrants to RiSA the following:
1.1 The right to use each nominee's or winner’s photograph, name, likenesses, image, biographical
details and the recorded performance at each event of the awards; for the marketing, advertising,
filming, broadcast, digital streaming and/or other forms of digital exploitation (including social
media) and commercial exploitation of the awards, including the release of a commercially
available audiovisual product.
1.2 The right to use the sound recordings or any part thereof embodied in the album or single entered
in the awards; for the purposes of the marketing, advertising, filming, broadcast, digital streaming
and/or other digital forms of exploitation (including social media) and for the commercial
exploitation of the awards.
1.3 The right to a maximum of one song and an accompanying video per sound recording submitted
for the competition, for possible inclusion onto a commercial release in any format, to be
manufactured and/or distributed for sale through any means.
2. It is therefore a condition of entry that all entrants, group or individual agree that by entering/being entered
into the SAMAs, they grant RiSA the rights set out above and any other rights ancillary thereto.
E. ENTRY FEES
All entry fees exclude VAT and they will not be refunded to the entrants, in the event of any disqualification.
Entry fees that have not been paid in full and/or have not been cleared in RiSA’s bank account on or before
03 February 2021 will result in the relevant entries being disqualified.
1. RiSA Members:
1.1 Subject to the provisions of paragraph 1.2 here below, the entry fee for the 27th Annual SA
Music Awards for an individual or entity who has been accepted as a RiSA member before 20
January 2021, is R750.00 (Seven Hundred and Fifty) only excluding VAT per entry for all
categories that are open for entry, except for the following categories, where the fee applicable
to RiSA members is:
1.1.1 Categories 3.5(B) – “BEST PRODUCED ALBUM” and 3.5(C) – “BEST
ENGINEERED ALBUM” will be charged at R750.00 (Seven Hundred and Fifty
Rand only) excluding VAT per entry name of the producer/engineer.
1.2 Any member of RiSA who submits entries for the 27th Annual SA Music Awards will be required
to produce proof of payment in full of the prescribed RiSA levies - in respect of ALL the units
manufactured up to the date of each entry. The failure by a RiSA member to furnish the proof
of payment in full will automatically result in the requirement to pay for entries at the rates
applicable to non-members of RiSA, as set out here below.
1.3 If a member joins RiSA after the audio or audiovisual products entered for the 27th Annual SA
Music Awards had been manufactured (in the case of physical products), or created (in the
case of digital products), then the applicable levies will be retrospectively adjusted to any such
entries and must be paid in full to RiSA.
8RiSA Unit 1 l 152 Bram Fischer Drive l Randburg 2196
T +27 (11) 886 1342 l F +27 (11) 886 4169 www.samusicawards.co.za
1.4 Individuals and entities applying for RiSA membership after 20 January 2021 will not qualify
for the entry fees reserved for members, but will be charged at the rates applicable to non-
members of RiSA.
2. Non-Members of RiSA:
2.1 The entry fee for non-members of RiSA is R4 000.00 (Four Thousand Rand only) excluding
VAT per entry.
2.2 Categories 3.5(B) – “BEST PRODUCED ALBUM” and 3.5(C) – “BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM”
will be charged at R4 000 (Four Thousand Rand only) excluding VAT per entry name of
producer/engineer.
F. GENERAL
1. All entrants, nominees and winners hereby waive any claim of whatsoever nature, which they may have
against the sponsors and/or RiSA arising out of or in connection with their participation in this
competition.
2. RiSA shall not be liable to any participant for any reason whatsoever, whether in contract or delict or
otherwise arising out of, or in connection with the 27th Annual SA Music Awards. The entrant hereby
fully and effectually indemnifies the sponsors, RiSA, and their successors, assigns, licensees and each
of their officers, directors, employees and agents and hold them harmless from and against any and all
claims, liabilities, judgments, losses, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable legal
expenses) directly or indirectly due to any breach of these rules by the entrant. This indemnity shall
survive the completion of the Awards.
3. By submitting a fully completed entry for the 27th Annual SA Music Awards the entrant agrees to abide
by the SAMA Rules as stated in this document.
4. All decisions with respect to the acceptance of any entry and the eligibility of entries are made by RiSA
and shall be final and binding upon all entrants. In the event of any dispute, RiSA's decision shall be
binding on the entrant, nominee or winner; and no correspondence will be entered into.
5. All materials submitted become the property of RiSA and will not be returned to the entrant. RiSA shall
not be responsible for late, lost, damaged, misdirected, stolen or misappropriated entries.
6. RiSA may, without the entrant's, nominee’s or winner’s further consent, use their name, likeness,
biographical details and photographs owned or controlled by the entrant ("contribution materials")
without charge in exploiting, advertising and publicizing the competition in all media and formats
throughout the universe.
7. The entrant hereby represents, warrants and undertakes to RiSA that the entrant is entitled to enter the
competition and has full power and authority to grant rights herein expressed to be granted.
8. The entrant shall not, without the prior written consent of RiSA (except as required by law) at any time
hereafter, either personally or by means of press or publicity or advertising agents or agencies, divulge
or disclose any information of any nature or kind relating to the development or production of the
competition to any person, relating to any matter arising hereunder or to the general affairs of RiSA,
coming within the entrant's knowledge by reason of this competition or otherwise howsoever.
9. Notwithstanding and irrespective of any advertisement or announcement which may have been or may
hereafter be published, RiSA shall not be liable to the entrant for, or in respect of, any loss of publicity,
advertisement, reputation or the like due to the entrant's non-appearance in the competition and/or
RiSA's failure to produce, advertise, promote or exploit the competition and nothing contained herein
shall be construed so as to impose upon RiSA any obligation to make use of the services of the entrant,
or to permit the entrant to play any part in the making of the competition, or to produce, advertise,
promote (or to continue the production, advertising, promotion or exploitation) of the competition.
9RiSA Unit 1 l 152 Bram Fischer Drive l Randburg 2196
T +27 (11) 886 1342 l F +27 (11) 886 4169 www.samusicawards.co.za
10. Once submitted, only the entrant may withdraw an entry. The request to withdraw an entry must be
made in writing and received by RiSA no later than 7 days after the closing date of the entry period. No
fees will be refunded in the event of a withdrawal, and the materials submitted will not be returned.
11. RiSA reserves the right to withdraw a nomination or an award from any entrant, nominee or winner who
in RiSA's sole discretion, has brought the South African Music Awards into disrepute.
12. RiSA reserves the right to modify these Rules at any time in its sole discretion and all interpretations
of these Rules, and the decisions of the RiSA Board relating to the Rules and any voting process, are
final.
3. CATEGORY RULES AND REGULATIONS
3.1 TOP 5 CATEGORIES
These categories are not open for entry.
Further details regarding these categories are available in the Top 5 document, available on www.samusicawards.co.za.
A. ALBUM OF THE YEAR
The award will go to the artist whose entry is an album that in the opinion of the judges is by its excellence,
regardless of its genre, better than any other album entered in the 27th Annual SA Music Awards.
B. DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
The award will go the duo or group recording collectively as an artist whose entry is an album that in the opinion
of the judges is by its excellence, regardless of its genre, better than any other album by a duo or group entered
into the 27th Annual SA Music Awards.
C. FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
The award will go to the solo female recording artist whose entry is an album that in the opinion of the judges
is by its excellence, regardless of its genre, better than any other album by a solo female artist entered into the
27th Annual SA Music Awards.
D. MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
The award will go to the solo male recording artist whose entry is an album that in the opinion of the judges is
by its excellence, regardless of its genre, better than any other album by a solo male artist entered into the 27th
Annual SA Music Awards.
E. NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
The award will go to the artist or group whose entry is the debut album by that artist, and where such a debut
album in the opinion of the judges is by its excellence, regardless of its genre, better than any other debut album
entered by a Newcomer in the 27th Annual SA Music Awards. In the case of a debut album from a group, the
prominent member/s of that group must not have previously earned artist royalties from full album sales. In the
case of an artist, the artist must not have been a prominent member of a group.
3.2 ALBUM GENRE CATEGORIES
In any category where there are less than five entries, that category will be abandoned in that particular SAMA
year. All entries into album genre categories must be album releases.
A. BEST ROCK ALBUM
This category is for artists who perform Rock music.
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B. BEST POP ALBUM
This category is for artists who perform Pop music.
C. BESTE POP ALBUM
This category is for artists who perform Pop music, with a predominant use of the Afrikaans language in the
lyrics.
D. BEST ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
This category is for artists who perform music in the Adult Contemporary genre.
E. BESTE KONTEMPORÊRE MUSIEK ALBUM
This category is for artists who perform music in the Adult Contemporary genre with a predominant use of the
Afrikaans language in the lyrics.
F. BEST AFRICAN ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
This category is for artists who perform music in the Adult Contemporary genre with a predominant use of any
indigenous African language in the lyrics.
G. BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM
This category is for artists who perform music that is generally considered to be alternative to the mainstream
music genres. There are no language exclusions for this category.
H. BEST R&B / SOUL
This category is for artists who perform R&B and/or Soul music. There are no language exclusions for this
category.
I. BEST HIP HOP ALBUM
This category is for artists who produce, and/or perform music forms identifiable to the Hip-Hop subculture;
including Rap, Trap and all other subgenres. All entered albums should meet the vocal performance quota of
70% of the tracks on them. Licensed tracks that are not produced and/or performed by the artist entered should
not form more than 30% of the album. A declaration indicating the licensed tracks on the album should be
submitted when entering. Entrants should note that judges will only consider the tracks performed and/or
produced by the artists in question when adjudicating the album.
J. BEST KWAITO ALBUM
This category is for artists who produce and/or perform music that can be broadly defined as Kwaito. Licensed
tracks that are not produced and/or performed by the artist entered should not form more than 30% of the album.
A declaration indicating the licensed tracks on the album should be submitted when entering. Entrants should
note that judges will only consider the tracks performed and/or produced by the artists in question when
adjudicating the album.
11RiSA Unit 1 l 152 Bram Fischer Drive l Randburg 2196
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K. BEST AMAPIANO ALBUM
This category is for artists who produce and/or perform music that can be broadly defined as Amapiano.
Licensed tracks that are not produced and/or performed by the artist entered should not form more than 30%
of the album. A declaration indicating the licensed tracks on the album should be submitted when entering.
Entrants should note that judges will only consider the tracks performed and/or produced by the artists in
question when adjudicating the album.
L. BEST GQOM ALBUM
This category is for artists who produce and/or perform music that can be broadly defined as Gqom. Licensed
tracks that are not produced and/or performed by the artist entered should not form more than 30% of the album.
A declaration indicating the licensed tracks on the album should be submitted when entering. Entrants should
note that judges will only consider the tracks performed and/or produced by the artists in question when
adjudicating the album.
M. BEST DANCE ALBUM
This category is for artists who perform and/or produce Dance music where the artist in question performs
and/or composes and/or produces the songs of the albums. Albums entered into this category that contain
licensed tracks not performed and/or produced by the artist will be considered on the basis that such licensed
tracks do not form more than 30% of the repertoire on the album. A declaration indicating the licensed tracks
on the album should be submitted when entering. Subgenres that qualify to be considered in this category are
Afro Electronic, Electronic Dance Music, House Music, etc. Entrants should note that judges will only consider
the tracks performed and/or composed and/or produced by the artists in question when adjudicating the album.
N. BEST TRADITIONAL FAITH MUSIC ALBUM
This category is for artists/groups who perform traditional faith-based music.
O. BEST CONTEMPORARY FAITH MUSIC ALBUM
This category is for artists who perform contemporary faith based.
P. BEST AFRICAN INDIGENOUS FAITH ALBUM
This category is for artists who perform music that is mainly dominated by vocal rendition, which may be
accompanied by clap and tap, feet stomping and other genre-specific percussive sounds such as woodblocks,
cowbells, traditional wind instruments (icilongo) and traditional drums (isigubhu).
Q BEST TRADITIONAL MUSIC ALBUM
This category is for artists who perform traditional/roots music and may include folk music from the various
language groups of South Africa.
R BEST MASKANDI ALBUM
This category is for artists who perform either a contemporary or traditional versions of Maskandi music.
S BEST JAZZ ALBUM
This category is for artists who perform Jazz, a music type that is characterized by improvisation, melody,
swings, syncopation, variety of harmonic idioms with instrumental techniques, polyphonic ensemble and usually
a regular or forceful rhythm, not excluding smooth articulation with strong emphasis on notes and cords.
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T. BEST CLASSICAL/INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM
This category is for artists who perform Classical and instrumental music.
U. BEST AFRO POP ALBUM
This category is for artists who perform Pop music, with a predominant use of any indigenous African language
in the lyrics.
V. BEST REGGAE ALBUM
This category is for artists who perform Reggae music, including its derivative forms such as Dancehall, Ragga,
Dub, etc.
3.3 SPECIAL AWARDS
A. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
This category is not open for entry. RiSA members are requested to submit nominees for consideration,
with the accompaniment of a motivational letter. The RiSA Board decides on the recipients using a set
criterion that includes but is not limited to the duration spent as either a recording artist or producer, and
the contributions made towards the development, upliftment and advancement of the South African music
industry. Non RiSA members will be subjected to an entry fee to submit their nominations
B. INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
This category is not open for entry. RiSA members are requested to submit nominees for consideration,
with the accompaniment of a motivational letter. The RiSA Board decides on the recipients using a set
criterion that includes but is not limited to a release of recordings, a touring schedule, music industry
recognition by way of award decorations and a prolific media profile, all happening within a specified
qualifying period and taking place in territories abroad. Non RiSA members will be subjected to an entry
fee to submit their nominations.
C. BEST SELLING AWARDS
The awards in this category will be presented for selling the most number of units in Southern Africa (“SADC
countries”) during the sales period, as defined below. It is not open to entrants or artists who are, or whose
work is owned/controlled by any sponsors of the 27th Annual SA Music Awards, nor for entrants who are
music retailers/wholesalers; or digital or mobile music retailers/wholesalers/distributors.
The sales period for the 27th Annual SA MUSIC AWARDS will be from 1st January 2020 to 31st December
2020 irrespective of the year of first release and/or first publication of the release in any format. Entries
will open on 01 March 2021 and they close on 09 April 2021.
Entry forms must be completed and signed by the Managing Director and the Financial Director of the
entrant, and they must specify net unit sales during the sales period excluding:
a) Sales generated prior to or after the defined sales period.
b) Deletion sales.
c) Promotional, marketing and free samples.
d) All units still in the trade on a “Sale or Return” or “Sale or Exchange” basis at the end of the
defined sales period.
e) Digital premium sales or their equivalent.
f) Units purchased by the entrant or its affiliates (this does not include sales to artists in respect
of which invoices can be produced for units sold at the same PPD as what is available to
retailers).
13RiSA Unit 1 l 152 Bram Fischer Drive l Randburg 2196
T +27 (11) 886 1342 l F +27 (11) 886 4169 www.samusicawards.co.za
For physical carriers a full reconciliation of all units sold and returned should be detailed on the entry form
and free stock in lieu of discount may be included.
Two awards will be issued: one to the artist and the other to the entrant (provided that the entrant is a
record company and not the winning artist).
An album release is not a requirement to qualify for these categories.
C1 BEST SELLING ARTIST
This award will go to the artist who has sold the most units during the defined sales period, excluding the
DVD format. The winner will be determined by their combined sales of all recognized formats (excluding
DVD) for a specific/individual release (regardless if it is a single or album), using the RiSA album equivalent
metric.
C2 BEST SELLING LIVE AUDIO VISUAL OF THE YEAR
This award will go the AUDIO VISUAL that has sold the most units
D. REST OF AFRICA AWARD
South Africans excluded. This category is open for entry to artists from across the African continent who
perform any music genre.
E. Most streamed song of the year
This category is not open for entry. The award will go the artist with the most streamed song during the
SAMA period i.e. 01 February 2020– 31 March 2021 (a once off 13 month period). A digital streaming
tracking company will be commissioned to provide data for this category
3.4 TECHNICAL CATEGORIES
A. BEST PRODUCED MUSIC VIDEO
This category is for the entry of music video singles. Two awards will be issued: one to the Producer and the
other to the Director of the music video. The cash price will be split equally.
B. BEST PRODUCED ALBUM
This category is for the entry of producers who made creative contributions to an eligible album by an artist who
qualifies for entry into the SAMAs. In the case of an album with contributions from more than one producer, the
award goes to each and every producer entered into the category, but the cash prize will be split amongst the
producers based on each producer's contribution to the album.
C. BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM
This category is for the entry of recording, mixing and mastering engineers who were involved in an eligible
album by an artist who qualifies for entry into the SAMAs. In the case of an album with contributions from more
than one engineer, the award goes to each and every engineer entered into the category, but the cash prize will
be split amongst the engineers based on each engineer's contribution to the album.
14RiSA Unit 1 l 152 Bram Fischer Drive l Randburg 2196
T +27 (11) 886 1342 l F +27 (11) 886 4169 www.samusicawards.co.za
D. REMIX OF THE YEAR
An album release is not a requirement to qualify for this category, which is for a single track. The category is
open for the entry of a commercially available single track by a South African artist, which has been remixed by
a South African remixer and commercially released during the period 01 February 2020 to 31 January 2021.
The original repertoire owner, who must authorize the entry in writing, must approve the remix. Both the original
recording and the remix must be submitted for adjudication purposes. International remixers may collaborate
with South African remixers provided that the international remixer receives equal or lesser billing.
Two awards will be issued: one to the Remixer(s) and the other to the performing artist on the original recording.
The prize money gets split proportionally amongst the remixers,
E. BEST LIVE AUDIO VISUAL RECORDING
A LIVE AUDIO-VISUAL RECORDING is defined as a commercially available digital versatile disc/audiovisual
recording containing no less than 30 minutes of previously unreleased audiovisual recording of a live
performance. This category is for entry by an entrant who has made an audio-visual recording of a live music
performance of the work of single/multiple artists under the unifying banner of a particular concert or show.
o Two awards will be issued: one to the artist/group/band (irrespective of the number of artists /groups/bands
involved) and the other to the producer of the audiovisual recording.
o The prize money gets split equally amongst the award recipients.
F. BEST COLLABORATION
An album release is not a requirement to qualify for this category, which is for a single track. The award will go
to an artist(s) / group(s) for the entry of a commercially available single track, made in collaboration with other
artist(s) /group(s). An international artist(s) /group(s) may be part of this collaboration provided that:
1. The creative contribution of the South African artist(s) / group(s)/ producer(s) is considered by the judges,
in their complete discretion, to constitute a substantial qualitative part of the overall recorded performance.
2. The South African artist(s) / group(s) must have received star or billing from the time that the track was first
made commercially available.
Approval must be granted in writing at entry by the collaborating artists(s) should they not be signed to the
entrant (record company). Each participating artist/group will receive a statuette and the prize money will be
split equally amongst each participating artist/group.
3.5 PUBLIC VOTE CATEGORY
A. RECORD OF THE YEAR
This category is not open for entry
The winner will be determined by public vote.
Further details will be announced at the Nominees Launch or at RiSA’s discretion.
One award will be issued to the artist.
B. MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
This category is not open for entry
The winner will be determined by public vote.
Further details will be announced at the Nominees Launch or at RiSA’s discretion.
One award will be issued to the artist.
15RiSA Unit 1 l 152 Bram Fischer Drive l Randburg 2196
T +27 (11) 886 1342 l F +27 (11) 886 4169 www.samusicawards.co.za
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