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Amapiano sensation Kabza De Small emerged as the standout victor at the 29th South African Music Awards (SAMAs) during Saturday's event. The ceremony was hastily relocated to Sun International’s SunBet Arena in Pretoria due to the KwaZulu-Natal government's withdrawal from hosting. Despite the shift, De Small claimed multiple honors, including Best Duo/Group of the Year with DJ Maphorisa, Best Produced Album, Best Amapiano Album, and Best Kwaito Album. Yet, in line with a trend among South African musicians, De Small was absent from the ceremony, mirroring the absence of K.O, DJ Maphorisa, and Zakes Bantwini. Notably, Bantwini was represented by his wife, singer Nandi Madida. Gospel sensation Ntokozo Mbambo closely followed De Small, clinching three awards — Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Best Contemporary Faith Album. The late rapper AKA continued his posthumous winning streak by securing awards for Male Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Best Engineered Album. DJ BUHLE: Pioneering Female House DJ in Johannesburg's Music Scene
'King of Amapiano’ KABZA DE SMALL reigns supreme at SAMA29
At the balcony of The Living Room, an open-air rooftop music bar offering a view over the bustling streets of Maboneng, a vibrant district in central Johannesburg renowned for its venues, including the famed deep house spot, 115, the conversation shifts to another broadcasting gem of Johannesburg. YFM, it's emphasized, played a pivotal role in the surge of house music. Here, we encounter DJ Buhle, a Soweto-born artist. Hailing from South Africa’s largest township, housing around 1.3 million residents, she stands as one of the earliest female house DJs in the country, leading Bezulu Records. She speaks passionately about the influence of Gauteng’s trailblazers on her journey. She singles out Da Vinci and DJ Bubbles— particularly known for exploring tech, funk, and electro —as pivotal figures who inspired her deeply. “Before I started, many would say things like ‘female DJs play strawberry music.’ They meant something soft, sweet, akin to disco... I was determined not to fit that mold. Yet, gaining recognition as a female DJ, especially playing more intense tunes, was a challenge,” she recounts, reminiscing about her initial attraction to the deep 4/4 sounds around 2000. “House music was already dominant, but we lacked resources and networks for a long time.” “People like DJ Christos have achieved so much growth, making it easier for us to handle the business side, ensuring sustainability,” she elaborates. “There was a gap to bridge and an understanding to establish. Today, animosity has lessened, but township infrastructure remains a challenge. I mean, we've had rainfall for two days, and houses are flooding. It's frustrating. However, in terms of music, we've closed the gap; we've made our mark.”
sound press December 2023 |
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