The Southern African Music Rights Organisation NPO (SAMRO) has announced the list of nominees for the 2016 Wawela Music Awards (WMA), including winners for the Special Awards: Lifetime Achievement Award, Prolific Catalogue of Works and Breaking Through The Borders.
Over the years, the Wawelas have taken pride by being the only awards in the country that put a spotlight and recognise music composers, lyricists, song writers and music publishers.
Now in their 4th year, the awards are known for their in-depth appreciation of music composition and songwriting, including music created for television and film to songs for commercials. With the amount of entries received for this year’s awards, there is no doubt that the 2016 ceremony will surpass the standard set by last year’s edition.
This year’s awards sees industry darlings such as acapella group The Soil, afro-soul singer Maleh, house duo Black Motion, Jazz singer/songwriter Lindiwe Maxolo and R&B artist Naima Kay also nominated for an opportunity to be crowned the winners.
Leading the nominations : Benjamin William Jephtan with three nominations for Best Male Artist and Composer/Co-composer, Songwriter of the Year and Best Song or Composition in Television Production. He is followed by Maleh, Alun Richards, Nick Sakellarides, Adam Howard and The Soil who are all nominated in two categories.
It is important to also note that the 2016 nominees were selected through an extensive, audited process adjudicated by individuals drawn from different sectors of the South African music industry.
Like previous years, this year’s Special Awards recipients are a good testament that the awards are growing from leaps and bounds. Recipients for the 2016 Special Awards are music legend, Abigail Kubekawho takes the Lifetime Achievement Award, while veteran producer, Gabie Le Rouxis honoured with the Prolific Catalogue of Works Award and international renowned musician OliverMtukudziis awarded the Breaking through the Borders award.
Wawela Music Awards winners are set to be announced during a glitz ceremony to take place on Friday,07 October 2016.
Below is the full list of nominees and Special Awards winners.
Best Soundtrack In A Feature Film Or Theatric Documentary
Alun Richards
NikSakellarides
Benjamin Willem
Best song or composition in a television production
Orangotang Music
Joe Niemand
Benjamin Willem
Best song or composition in a television commercial
The Soil
Alun Richards
Adam Howard
Best song or composition in a radio commercial
NikSakellarides
Louis Enslin
Adam Howard
Best Creative Album of the year
Maleh
Wouter Kellerman
Jack Parsow
Songwriter of the year
Benjamin WillemJephta
Tebogo
LindiweMaxolo
Best South African Duo or Group
Beatenberg
The Soil
Black Motion
Best Male Artist and Composer/Co Composer
Benjamin William
Zola
Fabian Sing
Best Female Artist and Composer
LindiweMaxolo
Maleh
Naima Kay
SPECIAL AWARDS
Lifetime Achievement Award
AbigailKubeka
Prolific Catalogue of Works
Gabie Le Roux
Breaking Through The Borders
Oliver Mtukudzi
