The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) has released the full list of nominees for the 31st South African Music Awards (SAMA31), with several high-profile artists receiving multiple nominations across key categories.

The main ceremony will be held in November 2025 in a hybrid format, combining a live event with a global broadcast. The winners of the Top Five categories – including Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Artist of the Year – will be revealed in September.

Below is the full list of nominees:
Best Adult Contemporary Album

uKhisimusi - An African Christmas – Just 6
Seven – Melanie Scholtz
Room For Everyone – Tony Drake
Nonyezi – Nue Sam Nosipho Khuzwayo
Look At You Now – The Morning After

Best African Adult Contemporary Album

UMI – Zamajobe
Sankofa – Thandiswa Mazwai
Nomthandazo – Zoe Modiga
Isibusiso Sami – Ndu Shezi
Indumiso YabeNguni – Mthuthu

Best Afro Pop Album

Twenty Four – Nomfundo Moh
Malik – Malik
Isibuko (Deluxe) – Sjava
Inkanyezi (Live) – Sjava
Collaborations With Friends – Dalom Kids

Best Alternative Album

Unyazi – Yoav & Jabulile Majola
Perspective: Black – Zādok
Hindsight 2020 – Francis Soal
Emlotheni – Th&o
Berge – Spoegwolf

Best Amapiano Album

Your Piano Is Not My Piano – Vigro Deep
Sewe – Kelvin Momo
Ntsako – Kelvin Momo
Midnight in Sunnyside – 3 Mellow & Sleazy
Inja Ye Game – Zee Nxumalo

Best Classical/Instrumental Album

In the morning – John Lundun
By Alle Skone Dinge – Chris Vale, Eugene Joubert & Franco Prinsloo, Marlize Hattingh
Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper – Derek Gripper
A Season in Paradise – Vox Chamber Choir & Franco Prinsloo
Awake for 22 Hours – Orecchiette

Best Collaboration

Waze Wamuhle – Kelvin Momo
Takala – Black Motion
Ematshwaleni – Kususa
Stay With Me – Matt Davies
Amalanga – Mas Musiq, Lawd Weezy & DJ Maphorisa ft TO Starquality, Chley & Kabza De Small

Best Dance Album

The Cradle Of Art – Black Motion
FINALLY FAMOUS TOO – Dlala Thukzin
Cr4zy!!.. – MÖRDA
Dreaming – Shimza
Caiiro – Caiiro

Best Engineered Album

The Cradle Of Art – Black Motion
Sankofa – Thandiswa Mazwai
Isibuko (Deluxe) – Sjava
Reawakening – Keenan Meyer
Feathers & Stone – Jeremy Loops

Best Gqom Album

Tronics Land 3 – Mr Thela SIMPHIWE LEONARD SIHAWU
The Rebellion – DJ Lag
Play At Your Own Risk – Goldmax
NANDE 3.0 – DJ Sandiso
Next Level – Lelowhatsgood

Best Hip Hop Album

See U Soon Delux – Blxckie
Red October: Induction Tony Dayimane
Pray 4 Pitori Loatinover Pounds
Audio 2D; Dear Darkie – Sizwe Alakine
Loyal To The Plug: The Life & Times of Don Kilograms – 25K

Best Jazz Album

uNomkhubulwane – NDUDUZO MAKHATHINI
Terra Solus – Nick Ford
Ndilapha – Nomfundo Xaluva
Hope Dies – Last
Apho Kungenje – Ncesh Nonxishi

Best Maskandi Album

Ngathi Nguye – Umafikizolo
iPolotiki – Phuzekhemisi
Angidlali Nezingane – Khuzani
Alingeni – Ntencane
Amathambo Kagogo – Imithente

Best Produced Album

UMI Zamajobe – Zamajobe
The Cradle Of Art – Black Motion
Sankofa – Thandiswa Mazwai
Reprise on 2nd Avenue – Qü
iLadi – Linda Sikhakhane

Best Produced Music Video

Umbuzo – Soa Mattrix
Gucci (official music video) ft. MaWhoo – Mthandeni SK
Tshwala Bam (Remix) – TitoM and Yuppe
South – Blxckie
Shekhinah ft Moliy – Risk Shekhinah

Best R&B/Soul Album

Too Many Promises – Mikhalé Jones
Stone Cold Heart – Elaine Ndivhuwo
On Air – Filah Lah Lah
It’s Clear To See – Clxrity
Heartbreak Hotel (deluxe) – The Big Hash

Best Reggae Album

Mekwei – Dread Lloyd
The Rise – Anela Jahmena
Flaws in Frame – Dimahr
After All – LUWE DA LION
Area Code – Botanist

Best Rock Album

VIR MEKAAR – Bloumoord
These Blues Might Get You Too – MaxX & Love
The World We Know – Prime Circle
OLD WOUNDS – The Man Motels
Look At You Now – The Morning After

Best Traditional Faith Music Album

Uyinqaba Yam (Jehovah Nissi) – Betusile
The Journey (Part 1) Tebs – David Tebogo
The Full Circle Revival – Malusi Mbokazi
Rofhiwa Dzina – Rofhiwa Manyaga
According to Grace, A One Man Show – Ayanda Ntanzi

Best Traditional Music Album

moleele – Keitumetse Mangate Production
Mmakgodu – MmaAusi
Miracle Child (Deluxe) – Makhadzi Entertainment
Kwanomthandazo – Sabu Jiyana
Bakokota (EP) – Pleasure Tsa Manyalo

Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album

Vaalsand – Pietman Geldenhuys
Niemandsland – Ampie
Eindbestemming – Spoegwolf
Land & Sand – Neil Sandilands
Geraamtes – Majo

Remix of the Year

Tshwala Bam – TitoM
Skuta Baba Woodblock DJs Sicelo Belly Nkomo
Mngani – Jnr SA
Iza Mawala – Tycoon
Hlala – Mpho.Wav

Rest of Africa Award (SOUTH AFRICANS EXCLUDED)

The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr
The Party & After Party – Bensoul
Morayo – Wizkid
Born In The Wild – Tems
adedamola – Fireboy DML

Best African Indigenous Faith Album

Re Kgoeletsa Magodimong – Wacha Mkhukhu Wachumlilo
Morena Re Ya Leboga – JTG Gospel Choir
Busa Jeso – House Of Mercy
Ikutana – Barongoa Ba Morena
Nkapese Ka Maatla – Di Bruin Gospel Projects

Best Contemporary Faith Music Album

Heavenly Psalms – Level 2 (Live at Goshen City Church 2023) SbuNoah
Lindiwe – Nontokozo Mkhize
Living Word – Mmangaliso
Crosspower Experience 4 – Jabu Hlongwane
The Glory – Takie Ndou