Popular East London DJ Mobi Dixon received his first South African Music Award (Sama) nomination this week.
The nominees for this year’s awards were announced on Thursday in Soweto.
The City Rains hit-maker has been nominated for the best dance album alongside Black Coffee, Mi Casa, DJ Merlon, Junior Taurus and Lady Zamar.
He has also been nominated twice in the best remix of the year category for My Sugar and Never Let Me Go. Others nominated in the category are DJ Sliqe, AKA and The Fraternity.
Mobi Dixon, whose real name is Mabi Ntuli, said he was honoured and humbled by the nominations. “As an artist I’ve always dreamed of such things. For the first time I feel like I am an established artist and it feels great,” he said.
Ntuli received his big break in the industry when his song City Rains took over the South African music charts. Since then, his music has been featured on all major stations in between touring the country.
Ntuli also received his first Metro FM Award nomination for best dance album Tribal Soul. Although he did not win, Ntuli said it was always rewarding for artists to get such recognition.
“Being a Sama nominee is a milestone for me. I am not just an East London DJ but I am a national artist now,” he said.
After his album release last year, Ntuli also took his music to the United Kingdom. “My music is receiving airplay internationally as well.”
Ntuli said he was currently working on his next album. “I can’t say much about this album but I am looking to collaborate with a number of people.”
Other Eastern Cape musicians who received the nomination nod were Nathi Mankayi, Zahara, Black Coffee, Zonke and Emtee. Award-winning rapper, Emtee and Port-Elizabeth-born soul singer Zonke, were among the leading artists with four nominations each.
Emtee, Black Coffee and Mankayi were all nominated in the album of the year and best male artist of the year categories.
Emtee and Mankayi were also nominated for the best newcomer award.
Eastern Cape Audio Visual Centre’s Nduduzo Makhathini’s album Listening to the Ground has been nominated for the best jazz album.
Zonke and Zahara were both nominated in the best female artist of the year, best R&B/Soul/Reggae artist and best produced album categories. Zonke’s Work of Heart album also got the best engineered album nomination.
The Samas take place at the Durban International Convention Centre on June 4, and will be broadcast live on SABC 1.
Sama nod has DJ in a spin
The nominees for this year’s awards were announced on Thursday in Soweto.
The City Rains hit-maker has been nominated for the best dance album alongside Black Coffee, Mi Casa, DJ Merlon, Junior Taurus and Lady Zamar.
He has also been nominated twice in the best remix of the year category for My Sugar and Never Let Me Go. Others nominated in the category are DJ Sliqe, AKA and The Fraternity.
Mobi Dixon, whose real name is Mabi Ntuli, said he was honoured and humbled by the nominations. “As an artist I’ve always dreamed of such things. For the first time I feel like I am an established artist and it feels great,” he said.
Ntuli received his big break in the industry when his song City Rains took over the South African music charts. Since then, his music has been featured on all major stations in between touring the country.
Ntuli also received his first Metro FM Award nomination for best dance album Tribal Soul. Although he did not win, Ntuli said it was always rewarding for artists to get such recognition.
“Being a Sama nominee is a milestone for me. I am not just an East London DJ but I am a national artist now,” he said.
After his album release last year, Ntuli also took his music to the United Kingdom. “My music is receiving airplay internationally as well.”
Ntuli said he was currently working on his next album. “I can’t say much about this album but I am looking to collaborate with a number of people.”
Other Eastern Cape musicians who received the nomination nod were Nathi Mankayi, Zahara, Black Coffee, Zonke and Emtee. Award-winning rapper, Emtee and Port-Elizabeth-born soul singer Zonke, were among the leading artists with four nominations each.
Emtee, Black Coffee and Mankayi were all nominated in the album of the year and best male artist of the year categories.
Emtee and Mankayi were also nominated for the best newcomer award.
Eastern Cape Audio Visual Centre’s Nduduzo Makhathini’s album Listening to the Ground has been nominated for the best jazz album.
Zonke and Zahara were both nominated in the best female artist of the year, best R&B/Soul/Reggae artist and best produced album categories. Zonke’s Work of Heart album also got the best engineered album nomination.
The Samas take place at the Durban International Convention Centre on June 4, and will be broadcast live on SABC 1.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos