When the list of this year’s nominees for the South African Hip Hop Awards was released yesterday, one big name was missing: KO. Given the incredible amount of work KO has put in this year and having had one of the biggest songs of the year, ‘CaraCara’, it’s clearly understandable why fans got flustered and were quick to voice their ire on why the rapper received not even a single nod.
But as is turns out, KO wasn’t snubbed. His manager, Thabiso Khati, requested that his and other Cashtime artists’ nominations be withdrawn. The awards organisers were quick to clear the air, tweeting, “Please note that Cashtime artists were initially nominated but had to be removed from the list as per their management’s request. Thanks.” Yep, we’re just as confused.
Another confusion is how Yugen Blakrok and Maraza are considered Newcomers, or why there is no consistency in the number of nominations per category. Or why Tumi is not in the Best Lyricist category. But we’re not gonna hate like some people in the industry. You had to submit entries and perhaps some just didn’t. There is no reason to criticize an entity that has done everything to promote hip hop, underground as well as commercial. Organiser Osmic Menoe, is doing what NO OTHER other organisations are currently doing in terms of physical accolades for hip hop. There is a vetting committee, a judging panel as well as public voting. No matter the outcome, let’s go out and support this event in December and stop the hate. Accolades are not everything, but supporting the hip hop nation is.
This year AKA takes the lead with a total of eleven nominations for several categories including Album of the Year, Producer of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Collaboration and Most Valuable Artist, while his nemesis Cassper trails behind with six nods.
It’s all set for the 17th December at the Lyric Theatre in Gold Reef City.
Checkout the full nominations below…
Album of the Year
- Kwesta – Dakar
- Duncan- Street Government
- AKA- Levels
- Da L.E.S – Mandela Money
- Cassper Nyovest- Tsholofelo
Producer of the Year
- AKA
- Kay Masta
- Tweezy
- Ganja Beats
- Psyfo
Hustler of the Year
- Ifani
- Cassper Nyovest
- Monde Dube
- DJ Naves
Best International Brand
- Sprite
- Miller
- Castle Lite
- Red Bull
- Hunter’s Extreme
Best Local Brand
- Butan
- Head Honcho
- GALXBOY
- Bambata
Song of the Year
- Cassper Nyovest – Doc Shebeleza
- Da L.E.S – Fire
- AKA – Congratulate
- Riky Rick ft. DJ Dimplez, Kid X, Kwesta, Maggz, GingerBreadman, Nadia Nakai and Okmalumkoolkat -Amantombazane Remix
- Duncan – Tsiki Tsiki
- AKA ft. K.O – Run Jozi
- DJ Dimplez ft. Dreamteam and Anatii – Yaya
Best Dance Crew
- Supreme I Crew
- Freeze Frame
- Ace Crew
- Vintage
- Creed Crew
Honorary Award
- Emile X
Best Collaboration
- Riky Rick ft. DJ Dimplez, Kid X, Kwesta, Maggz, GingerBreadman, Nadia Nakai and Okmalumkoolkat -Amantombazane Remix
- Khuli Chana ft. Da L.E.S & Magesh – Hape Le Hape Pt 2.1
- L-Tido ft. Ice Prince – Fresh and Clean
- DJ Capital ft. Kid X and Psyfo – Imma Tell Her
- AKA ft. K.O – Run Jozi
- Major League DJz ft. Riky Rick, Cassper Nyovest and Siya Shezi – The Bizness
- Psyfo ft. Ifani – Umtu Wam’
- DJ Dimplez ft. Dreamteam and Anatii – Yaya
DJ of the Year
- DJ Speedsta
- DJ Naves
- DJ Dimplez
- DJ Switch
- Major League DJz
- DJ Capital
Best Newcomer (Freshman)
- Yugen Blakrok
- Duncan
- Blayze
- Maraza
- Solo
Mixtape of the Year
- DJ Switch – The Switch Up
- Lwansta – Normal
- Fratpack – Famlove
- Gigi Lamayne – Colour of Reign
- E-Jay – The Best of E-Jay
Most Valuable Artist
- AKA
- Cassper Nyovest
- DJ Dimplez
- Reason
- Khuli Chana
Video of the Year
- AKA – Congratulate
- Cassper Nyovest – Doc Shebeleza
- L-Tido ft. Ice Prince – Fresh and Clean
- Kwesta – Keep Walking
- Riky Rick – Nafukwa
- Khuli Chana ft Hash One, Kt and Towdee Mac – Wannabeez
Best Graffiti Artist
- Mars
- Sure
- Riot
- Link1
- Bias
Best Male
- AKA
- Da L.E.S
- Cassper Nyovest
- Kwesta
- Duncan
Best Female
- Yugen Blakrok
- Gigi Lamayne
- Missy RBK
- MegaMafia
- Chazz Le Hippie
Lyricist of the Year
- Duncan
- Mo’Molemi
- Yugen Blakrok
- Kwesta
- Solo
- AKA
Promoter of the Year
- Head Honcho
- Maftown Heights
- Authentic Sundays
- HomeComing Picnic
- Good Sundae
- Pop Bottles
- WeHeartBeat
- Scrambles 4 Money
- 4Play Fest
Best Hip Hop Radio Show
- The Mixtape – Alex FM
- The Stir Up – 5FM
- Rap Activity Jam – Metro FM
- Number Number – Ukhozi FM
- The Ready D Show – Good Hope FM
- Hip Hop Music Sessions – Gagasi FM
- 16 Bars Reloaded – UJFM
Milestone Award
- Khuli Chana
Best Digital Sales
- Da L.E.S – Dice
- AKA ft. K.O – Run Jozi
- Duncan – Tsiki Tsiki
- Riky Rick ft. DJ Dimplez, Kid X, Kwesta, Maggz, GingerBreadman, Nadia Nakai and Okmalumkoolkat -Amantombazane Remix
- DJ Dimplez ft. Dreamteam and Anatii – Yaya
- Zakwe – Usenzani
- AKA – Levels
- Duncan – Street Government
- Cassper Nyovest – Tsholofelo
- Da L.E.S – Mandela Money
- Kwesta – Dakar
