After Samas Ifani sets his sights on gold
XHOSA rapper Ifani won best rap album at the 20th annual South African Music Awards (Samas) on Monday which made up for his lack of success at the Metro FM Awards earlier this month.
Ifani was among some big name winners from the province at this year’s awards held at Sun City in the North West Province.
Other Eastern Cape winners included Zahara for female artist of the year and best selling album for Phendula.
Port Elizabeth singer Zonke walked home with the best African adult album and best live DVD for her album Give and Take Live.
Alice-born singer Nakhane Toure walked home with the best alternative album for Brave Confusion.
“Side sayifumana (We finally got it),” Ifani said.
He said he still could not believe that his album, I believes in me: (1st quadrant) had won the best rap album at the Samas.
“It’s overwhelming, every time I think about it I just don’t know what to do or say. Even when I got the award I was shocked,” he said.
Just recently Ifani was nominated for four awards at the Metro FM Awards but came back empty-handed.
“Last time I performed right after the hip hop album category was mentioned and I didn't win but I still went ahead and performed, giving my all,” he said adding that he tried not to focus on the awards on Monday while getting ready for his performance.
“I kept my mind neutral.”
The best rap album category was one of the awards not announced live but 20 minutes before broadcast.
“I was like is this real? Are we rehearsing or what? I was confused; they caught me off guard. I don’t even remember what I said when they gave me my award,” he said.
Ifani said the award not only confirmed that the music industry had embraced him but he was now one of the best.
“I have joined the top class now, I have been upgraded to business class,” he joked.
He had also been nominated for the best newcomer category, which eventually went to KwaZulu-Natal artist Naima K.
Ifani said he would focus this year on getting his debut album known across the country.
“I try to push the bar. Only one rap album has gone platinum and five went gold and now it is important that my album gets to gold.”
Ifani said his follow-up album would be released next year.
“I believe it is a great album and now I have proof – the Samas confirm that. I hope people will buy it until we can get to gold,” he said. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
Top award for Xhosa rapper
XHOSA rapper Ifani won best rap album at the 20th annual South African Music Awards (Samas) on Monday which made up for his lack of success at the Metro FM Awards earlier this month.
Ifani was among some big name winners from the province at this year’s awards held at Sun City in the North West Province.
Other Eastern Cape winners included Zahara for female artist of the year and best selling album for Phendula.
Port Elizabeth singer Zonke walked home with the best African adult album and best live DVD for her album Give and Take Live.
Alice-born singer Nakhane Toure walked home with the best alternative album for Brave Confusion.
“Side sayifumana (We finally got it),” Ifani said.
He said he still could not believe that his album, I believes in me: (1st quadrant) had won the best rap album at the Samas.
“It’s overwhelming, every time I think about it I just don’t know what to do or say. Even when I got the award I was shocked,” he said.
Just recently Ifani was nominated for four awards at the Metro FM Awards but came back empty-handed.
“Last time I performed right after the hip hop album category was mentioned and I didn't win but I still went ahead and performed, giving my all,” he said adding that he tried not to focus on the awards on Monday while getting ready for his performance.
“I kept my mind neutral.”
The best rap album category was one of the awards not announced live but 20 minutes before broadcast.
“I was like is this real? Are we rehearsing or what? I was confused; they caught me off guard. I don’t even remember what I said when they gave me my award,” he said.
Ifani said the award not only confirmed that the music industry had embraced him but he was now one of the best.
“I have joined the top class now, I have been upgraded to business class,” he joked.
He had also been nominated for the best newcomer category, which eventually went to KwaZulu-Natal artist Naima K.
Ifani said he would focus this year on getting his debut album known across the country.
“I try to push the bar. Only one rap album has gone platinum and five went gold and now it is important that my album gets to gold.”
Ifani said his follow-up album would be released next year.
“I believe it is a great album and now I have proof – the Samas confirm that. I hope people will buy it until we can get to gold,” he said. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
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