27th South African Music Awards

The 27th Annual South African Music Awards were the 27th edition of the South African Music Awards. The award show was broadcast live on SABC 1 on July 31, 2021 and was held virtually due to the effects of COVID-19 lockdowns.

The nominees were announced on 19 May 2021. Kabza De Small received the most nominations with six, ahead of Sun-El Musician with five nominations. The 27th annual SAMAs introduced new categories, introducing best amapiano, gqom and kwaito albums as their own categories.

On 17 July 2021, it was announced that television personalities Bontle Modiselle and Lawrence Maleka were to be the hosts of the ceremony.

Performers
The list of performers was announced on July 28.

Winners and nominees
Nominees are as listed below. Winners are in bold.

Artist Of The Year Top 5 1. Makhadzi 2. Ethyl Ether 3. Blaq Diamond 4. Reece Madlisa and Zuma 5. HLE

CAPASSO Most Streamed Song of The Year You're the One - Elaine

Best Adult Contemporary Album:

Winner: Ndlovu Youth Choir - Rise

Artist Of The Year Top 3 1. HLE 2. Makhadzi 3. Blaq Diamond

Best Jazz Album:

Winner: Modes of Communication: Letters from the Underworlds - Nduduzo Makhathini Best Produced Album:

Winner: Sjava - Umsebenzi (Delaydem, Ruff Nkosi, Webmoms, Zadok & Vuyo Manyike)

Music Video of the Year:
 * MFR Souls - Amanikiniki ft. Major League DJz, Kamo Mphela, Bontle Smith
 * Prince Kaybee - uWrongo ft. Black Motion, Shimza, Ami Faku
 * Sha Sha - Tender Love ft. DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small
 * Miss Pru - Price To Pay ft. Blaq Diamond, Malome Vector
 * Master KG - Jerusalema ft. Nomcebo Zikode
 * Ayanda Jiya - Lover 4 Life ft. Stogie T (Music Video)
 * Malome Vector - Dumelang ft. Blaq Diamond (Music Video)
 * Semi Tee - Gabadiya ft. Kammu Dee, Miano (Official Video)
 * Aubrey Qwana - Molo (Official Music Video) #REMASTEREDINHD
 * Nasty C - There They Go
 * Kwesta - Njandini
 * Elaine - You're the One (Official Music Video) REMASTERED
 * DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small - Lorch ft. Semi Tee, Miano, Kammu Dee
 * TNS, Skillz - Ayabonga ft. LeSoul (Official Music Video) HD
 * Sphectacula, DJ Naves - Okokoko ft. Thebe, Unathi (Video)
 * Nasty C - Eazy (Official Music Video) #REMASTEREDINHD
 * Focalistic - Ke Star ft. Vigro Deep (Official Video)
 * Rouge - One By One ft. AKA
 * Azana - Your Love (Official Music Video) REMASTERED
 * Shane Eagle - Paris ft. Nasty C (Music Video)

Winner:
 * Miss Pru - Price to Pay ft. Blaq Diamond, Malome Vector

Record of the Year:
 * Master KG - Jerusalema ft. Nomcebo Zikode
 * Elaine - You're the One
 * Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa - eMcimbini (Audio)
 * Nomcebo Zikode - Xola Moya Wam' ft. Master KG
 * Blaq Diamond - Love Letter (Official Audio) 2020
 * Aubrey Qwana - Molo (Official Audio) 2020 Lyrics On Screen
 * Sun-El Musician - Ubomi Abumanga ft. Msaki (Audio)
 * Prince Kaybee, Black Motion, Shimza, Ami Faku - uWrongo
 * Kelly Khumalo - Empini (Official Audio) 2020 Lyrics
 * MFR Souls - Amanikiniki ft. Major League DJz, Kamo Mphela, Bontle Smith
 * Sha Sha - Tender Love ft. DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small
 * Miss Pru - Price To Pay ft. Blaq Diamond, Malome Vector
 * TNS - Umona ft. Mpumi (Official Audio) 2019 Lyric Video
 * Matthew Mole - Keep It Together (Official Audio) 2020 Lyric
 * Simmy - Ngihamba Nawe ft. Sino Msolo (Official Audio) 2021
 * Blaq Diamond - SummerYoMuthi (Official Audio) 2020
 * MFR Souls - Love You Tonight ft. Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, Sha Sha
 * Jethro Tait - Sad
 * Shekhinah - Fixate ft. Bey T (Audio)
 * Azana - Your Love (Official Audio)

Winner:
 * Matthew Mole - Keep It Together (Official Audio) 2020 Lyric

Artist of the Year:

Winner:
 * Blaq Diamond

Special Awards
International Achievement Award


 * Master KG

Lifetime Achievement Award


 * Lebo M
 * Dr Lindelani Mkhize
 * PJ Powers

Best singer in intertainment industry
Sir trill

Best Selling Artist


 * Mlindo the Vocalist - Emakhaya

SAMRO HIGHEST AIRPLAY AWARD


 * Kgaugelo Moagi (Master KG) and Nomcebo Zikode – Jerusalema