23rd South African Music Awards

The 23rd Annual South African Music Awards was held on May 27, 2017, at Sun City Resort and were hosted by Tumi Morake and Somizi Mhlongo. The nominees were announced on April 20, 2017. Nasty C lead the nominations with 6, followed by Kwesta 5.

Winners and nominees
Below is the list of nominees and winners for the popular music categories. Winner's are highlighted in bold.

Special Awards

 * International Achievement Award – Black Coffee

Lifetime Achievement Award (Brought to you by Telkom)

 * Nana Coyote (posthumous award)
 * Bhekumuzi Luthuli (posthumous award)
 * Roger Lucey

Best Selling Album and Music Downloads of the Year

 * Nathi Buyelekhaya

Best Selling DVD

 * Joyous Celebration (Volume 19: Back to the Cross) - Joyous Celebration

Best Selling Overall Music Download

 * Sfiso Ncwane (Bayede Baba)

Best Selling Music Download (Ring-back Tone)

 * Sfiso Ncwane (Bayede Baba)

Best Selling Full-track Music Download

 * Thabani makhanya

Sampra Award
Highest Radio Airplay of the Year – DBN Nyts "Shumaya"

Record of the year

 * AKA - One Time
 * Amanda Black - Amazulu
 * Babes Wodumo - Wololo ft Mampintsha
 * Black Coffee - Your Eyes ft Shekhinah
 * DJ Clock - Wolves feat Prom Knights
 * Kwesta - Ngud' feat Cassper Nyovest
 * Locnville - Cold Shoulder (Official)
 * Matthew Mole - Run (Official Video)
 * Miss Pru DJ - Ameni Ft Emtee, Fifi Cooper, A-Reece, Sjava, B3nchMarQ & Saudi
 * Nasty C - Hell Naw (Official Video)