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Which music creators have truly put South African music on the global stage? At an event held in Johannesburg today, SAMRO announced the long-awaited list of nominees for the inaugural WAWELA Music Awards.

Wawela is a Zulu word meaning “go beyond” – a fitting description for the talented nominees in these prestigious awards. Never before have so many South African composers, songwriters and performers made their mark as music ambassadors around the world, across a number of media formats.

“We’re proud to pay homage to the success of those who have put South African music on the map and to the legends of local music that have paved the way through their extraordinary lifetime achievements,” said SAMRO Deputy CEO, Sipho Dlamini.

The much-anticipated WAWELA Music Awards ceremony, which takes place on 28 June 2013, is set to be an exciting and glamorous evening, with many musical stars in the South African firmament as well as major industry players in attendance.

“These awards, the first of their kind in the country, are an important event on the musical calendar,” said Dlamini, adding: “On the night of 28 June, we’ll be gathering to give South Africa’s songwriting trailblazers the recognition that is due to them.”

Today marked the announcement of the nominees in the Standard Awards section in the WAWELA Music Awards, which were open to SAMRO members. Composers were selected across a range of genres, styles and categories.

“These pioneers of our music industry will be celebrated and recognised for their achievements that go beyond just commercial success,” affirmed SAMRO General Manager: Marketing, Tiyani Maluleke.

A number of Special Awards will also be handed out on the night, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Breaking through the Borders Award, and awards for Publisher of the Year and Prolific Catalogue of Works.

Go beyond, with the Wawela Music Awards: Internationally embraced, locally awarded!

The WAWELA Standard Award nominees are:

Best soundtrack in a feature film or theatric documentary:
Daniel Baron nominated for Wrongfully Detained
Philip Miller nominated for Leaving Father
Sven Larsen nominated for Afro Slow

Best song or composition in a television production:
Alan Lazar nominated for Scandal
Gregory Reveret nominated for Loxion Kulca Roots
James Barnard nominated for Limpopo

Best song or composition in a television commercial:
David Waugh nominated for the Toyota commercial
James Barnard nominated for the Sunlight Liquid commercial
Louis Enslin nominated for the Outsurance commercial

Best song or composition in a radio commercial:
James Barnard nominated for the White Star commercial
Claude Gombard nominated for the Coke Malawi commercial
Rene Veldsman nominated for the Shoprite commercial

Best creative album of the year:
Coenie De Villiers nominated for Hart van Glas
Black Porcelain nominated for Invincible Summer
LIRA nominated for Return to Love

Songwriter of the year:
Wendy Oldfield
Joshua Kempen
LIRA

Best South African duo/group:
Lonehill Estate
Tumi and the Volume
The Soil

Best female artist & composer/co-composer:
LIRA
Nothende
Black Porcelain

Best male artist & composer/co-composer:
Daniel Baron
Johnstone Mnyandu
Claude Gombard

He was the rubber-up in 2009′s season of X Factor and Olly Murs has since created a ton of incredible music. The star has just released Dear Darlin’, the third single off his latest album Right Place Right Time. The track is full of passion and feeling and really has the power to give you goosebumps all the time. His voice is also so incredibly unique. One of his best songs ever!

Favourite Lyric: Dear Darlin’ please excuse my writing, I can’t stop my hands from shaking because I’m cold and alone tonight.

Buy on iTunes here

Feel free to comment, vote, share or tweet @OnTheRadioSA

Last week was one of the busiest weeks ever in the South African music industry! Not only did the 19th SAMA’s take place, but rock legends Bon Jovi and teen idol Justin Bieber made their way to perform two incredible sold out concerts!

It all started with rock legends Bon Jovi. Their visit to South Africa was heavily overshadowed by all the Bieber excitement but that was just fine by them – their show was sold out anyway.

Of course, a much older crowd attended their show and boy what a fantastic show it was! Although the show was in support of their new album What About Now, the boys knew Jozi wanted to hear some classics as well. So what do they do? Play a THREE HOUR show of course!!

Filled with new bangers mixed with classics such as You Give Love A Bad Name, Bed of Roses and Livin’ On A Prayer. I must be honest, I didn’t enjoy their new album at all but even I was singing at the top of my lungs!

Jon and the boys interacted with the crowd and dazzled thousands of ladies with that bright white smile that everyone came out of the show feeling uplifted. Which proves just how much power music has.

Opening acts Elvis Blue and Daniel Baron rocked the stage as well! Elvis is just pure class but I do think Daniel was a bit nervous and it showed in his performance.

All in all, it was a fantastic evening!

Then there was Justin Bieber…

Justin is just world class. Period. Justin’s show opened with a 10 minute countdown – which was one of the most exciting countdown’s I have ever sat through in my whole life. The show started with an energetic performance of All Around The World, and although most of the song was blocked out by screaming fans, it gave me goosebumps!

As expected, there were thousands of screaming kids which made it so incredibly difficult to hear what Justin said sometimes. His setlist was average though. There I said it.

He performed most of the tracks on his Believe album which are ballads. The middle of the show just became stagnant, which I honestly didn’t think would happen.

My absolute highlights were the medly of Eenie Meenie, One Time and Somebody To Love, Out Of Town Girl and the incredible beauty And A Beat! Rapper Nicki Minaj recorded a little segment which made the whole show for me!

The one and a half hour show on Mothers Day saw Justin serenade his mom as she was his One Less Lonely Girl on the show which was SO cute!

Opening acts LCNVL and ChainoSky were phenomenal and were the most perfect fit for the show. Chiano rocked the stage and the twins played some of their new stuff as well. LCNVL did play too many instrumental tracks though and although they were jamming hard on stage, they just looked awkward.

Overall it was one of the best weekends of my life. Nothing can beat seeing your favourite artists live! Now, the countdown to Rihanna starts! Thanks again to Big Concerts!

Say hello to local musician Michael Lowman – you’re going to be hearing a lot more of him in the next few months or so. Signed by EMI last year, Michael has been working hard on his upcoming debut album and has just released his debut single Your Lovin’ Ain’t Right. The track is really groovy and has elements of swing, rock and pop in the track. Michael’s voice is something unique in the local scene and it has definitely caught our attention. We look forward to seeing what else he has in store.

Favourite Lyric: I know I get crazy for you baby but I know too much.

The track is expected on iTunes soon.

Feel free to comment, vote, share or tweet @OnTheRadioSA

Millions of viewers tuned into SABC 1 and witnessed the glitz, glam and the pizazz at the 19th Annual MTN South African Music Awards as Toya Delazy and Khuli Chana dominated the evening taking home 3 awards each at the Sun City Superbowl on Saturday, 11 May 2013.

For Toya Delazy who had kicked off the evening with a high octane performance alongside rapper Reason, the awards for Newcomer of the Year and Best Pop Album serve as confirmation of her newly found status in the industry after a breakout year in 2012 with her debut hit album, Due Drop Deluxe. Jax Panix scooped the Best Producer award the previous night for his work on Toya’s album

The outrageously talented Khuli Chana finally had his moment to shine in the spotlight as all the years of hard work finally paid off for the former Motswako protégé as he took home the coveted Best Male Artist, Best Rap Album and Album of the Year awards.

Multi award winning Afro-fusion group Freshlyground scooped what must be fast becoming a familiar statuette for Duo or Group of the Year, further cementing their place as music royalty in South Africa.

The fiercely contested Female Artist of the Year award saw songbird Kelly Khumalo beat off stiff competition from a very talented field.

The almost three hour long show witnessed some unique and iconic collaborations from amongst others Zonke and Kabomo, ChianoSky with DJ Zinhle ft. Busiswa, Bobby van Jaarsveld with Oskido ft. Candy, Zozo & Sangere Superbeat, Desmond & The Tutus with Kabelo, Professor, Sfiso and Khaya ft. Proverb, Donald, Lira and crowd pleasers DJ Vetkuk & Mahoota ft. Dr Malinga & Manqoba amongst others.

The guest presenters on stage to hand over the awards were some of the leading names in the entertainment industry: Rapulana Seiphemo, Tsholo Monedi, Gareth Cliff, Zahara, Loyiso Bala, Tailor, Pearl Thusi, Tumi Morake, Theo Kgosinkwe, Nhlanhla Nciza, Zolisa Xaluva, Glen Lewis, Penny Lebyane, Tumi Morake, Greg Carlin and Thami Mngqolo.

An emotional tribute to artists and other industry players that have passed on during the last year was movingly performed by Bongeziwe Mabandla, Nina Schumann, Steve Dyer, Herbie Tsoaeli and CH2 over a visual montage of these fallen icons.

The Album of the Year medley was one of the major highlights of the star studded night as Khuli Chana, Kelly Khumalo, Maleh, Ntokozo Mbambo and The Muffinz took to the stage and left the over 5 000 strong crowd in rapturous applause.

It was then left to the popular Menzi Ngubane and Sophie Ndaba to close off the night and present the coveted Album of the Year to an utterly surprised Khuli Chana.

The full list of categories and winners for the 19th Annual MTN South African Music Awards are:

Album of the Year

Khuli Chana – Lost in Time

Duo or Group of the Year

Freshlyground – Take Me to the Dance

Female Artist of the Year

Kelly Khumalo – The Past, The Present, The Future

Male Artist of the Year

Khuli Chana – Lost in Time

Newcomer of the Year

Toya Delazy – Due Drop Deluxe

Best Rock Album

Zebra & Giraffe – The Wisest Ones

Best Pop Album

Toya Delazy Due – Drop Deluxe

Best Adult Contemporary Album

Elvis Blue – Journey

Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album

Theuns Jordaan – Roeper

Best African Adult Album

Maleh – Step Child

Best Alternative Album

iScream & The Chocolate Stix – The Paradox

Best R&B/Soul/Reggae Album

Khaya – For You

Best Rap Album

Khuli Chana – Lost in Time

Best Kwaito Album

Professor – The Orientation

Best Dance Album

Black Coffee – Africa Rising

Best Traditional Faith Music Album

Various – Spirit of Praise Vol.4

Best Contemporary Faith Music Album

Ntokozo Mbambo – Filled

Best Traditional Album

Soul Brothers Isiphithiphithi

Best Maskandi Album

Ichwane Lebhaca- Inkunzi Yomthakathi

Best Jazz Album

Herbie Tsoaeli – African Time

Best Classic & Instrumental Album

CH2 – CH2 Guitar Duo Live with the University of Pretoria Symphony Orchestra

Best Live DVD

The Captured Tour Concert Film – Lira

Best Collaboration

Riot Feat. Zahara – Thetha Nami

Best Music Video of the Year

Claudio Pavan for Honey Spiders by The Parlotones

Best Producer

Jax Panik for Due Drop Deluxe by Toya Delazy

Best Engineer

Mark Beling for Strong by BlackByrd

Remix of the Year

DJ Kent for Thinking about You Ft. Zonke DJ Kent Remix (Theo Kgosinkwe)

Best Selling DVD

Vol. 16 Live at Carnival City – Joyous Celebration

Best Selling Album

Roeper – Theuns Jordaan

Best Selling Tru-Tone

Follow Me – DJ Cleo ft. Teddy Bears

Best Selling Ring-Back-Tone

Loliwe – Zahara

Best Selling Full-Track Download

You’re The Voice Shout/J23 – Artists for a safer South Africa

SAMPRA AWARD

Heavenly Sent – Mi Casa

If there’s one local artist that is changing the game, its AKA. He had the smash hit single Jealousy last year and has now teamed up with rapper DA L.E.S. for his new single Kontrol. The track is a dirty fun party track and has some of AKA’s most exceptional rhymes to date. The track serves as the lead single off AKA’s upcoming studio album due out later this year. AKA and Les make a great team and their chemistry shines in this track! A smash!

Favourite Lyric: I got a fist full of Madiba’s in my hand

Buy on iTunes here

Feel free to comment, vote, share or tweet @OnTheRadioSA

Jenny from the Block is back! Singer Jennifer Lopez has just premiered Live It Up – the debut single off her upcoming 10th studio album. The singer once again teamed up with Pitbull and RedOne for this club banger. The track is fun yet sexy and JLo gives you verses and choruses that make you want to do nothing but dance and I love the fizzy drink, pop references throughout the track! The single has smash written all over it and from the soung of it, I can’t wait for this new era!

Favourite Lyric: You push me harder, and I do the same

Buy on iTunes here

Feel free to comment, vote, share or tweet @OnTheRadioSA

British boy band The Wanted have finally released their highly anticipated new single Walks Like Rihanna. While I’m a huge fan of The Wanted, this single disappoints. Sure, the verses are rather catchy but a track from The Wanted used to have depth and this is just too generic for my liking. Sigh… We hope the second single makes up for this one! The video is cute though..

Favourite Lyric: It’s not the way she smiles with her little laugh, it’s not the way she looks in a photograph

Pre-Order on iTunes here

Feel free to comment, vote, share or tweet @OnTheRadioSA

Khaya Mthethwa has done incredibly well since he went on to win Idols last year. His new single Lil Means A Lot features Idols host Proverb and is one damn sexy song. The track is full of soul and the olden R&B vibes are evident throughout the track. His vocals are superb on the track and it really is one of his strongest so far.

Favourite Lyric: If you don’t know the reason why I hug you evening it’s cause a little means a lot

Buy on iTunes here

Feel free to comment, vote, share or tweet @OnTheRadioSA

One album that has really impressed me this year is OneRepublic’s Native and the boys have just announced that my favourite track will serve as the 3rd single. Counting Stars is a great little upbeat track which sounds a lot like something Mumford & Sons would release. The lyrics are what makes this track so great – powerful and really makes you think. This deserves to sit at number one for weeks!

Favourite Lyric: Everything that kills me makes me feel alive

Buy on iTunes here

Feel free to comment, vote, share or tweet @OnTheRadioSA