On Saturday 2 May the 15th Annual MTN South African Music Awards ignited Mzanzi music’s biggest night at the Sun City Super Bowl. It was an all-out celebration of everything amazing about SA music, a coming together of musical styles, celebrity guests and enthusiastic fans. This year the show was all about the reveal, and the vibrant set lent itself to exactly that: exposing almost five million South Africans our musical winners in true MTN SAMA style.

South Africa’s current king of comedy Trevor Noah made his debut as show host, injecting an offbeat sense of humour into proceedings as he took the audience on a side-splitting journey through the ins-and-outs of local music. It was a rollercoaster ride, guided with acute perception by a man who has the unique ability to view the world from a different angle, with a wit and charm that had the audience shrieking in delight.

And as with every year, one of the most anticipated highlights of the show was the performances. Mzansi’s musicians came together to reveal their shared love of a good groove, and this was evident from the evening’s opening number: a power-packed tribute to the late Miriam Makeba performed by GoldFish, Bhekumuzi Luthuli and Zamajobe.

It set the tone, and from there on it was all about combining talents. Da L.E.S took on Slikour in an all-out hip hop showdown, Nicholis Louw and Joyous Celebration raised spirits in an uplifting collaboration, Lifetime Achievers Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Anton Goosen showed why they are such respected legends when they performed together, and Siphokazi revealed a new side to herself when she shared the stage with Theo Kgosinkwe.

In addition there were unique, electrifying performances from Prime Circle, Big Nuz (along with teen violin sensation Incha) and the Rhythmic Elements. This was a night that showed South African music at its best: original, incredible, inspiring.

And then there were the winners, the deserving musicians who now have a SAMA (or two or more) on their mantelpieces. They are:

BEST AFRICAN TRADITIONAL GOSPEL ALBUM
Rebecca Malope: Ujehova Ungu' Madida

BEST CONTEMPORARY JAZZ ALBUM
The Moreira Project: Volume 2 Citizen Of The World

BEST MASKANDI ALBUM
Imithente: Simqonda Ngqo

BEST MUSIC VIDEO
Claudio Pavin and Arri Reschke: Overexposed by The Parlotones

BEST SOKKIE DANS ALBUM
Kurt Darren: Uit Die Diepte Van My Hart

BEST URBAN DANCE ALBUM
Dj Kent: Mixing Business With Pleasure: Reloaded

BEST POP ALBUM : ENGLISH
Jamali: 3rd Base

BEST URBAN POP ALBUM
Gang Of Instrumentals: Round 3

BEST POP ALBUM : AFRIKAANS
Eden: Knieë Lam

BEST POP ALBUM : AFRICAN
Theo Kgosinkwe: I Am

BEST ROCK ALBUM : ENGLISH
Zebra & Giraffe: Collected Memories

BEST RAP ALBUM
Teargas: Wafa Wafa

BEST KWAITO ALBUM
Bricks: Stop Nonsense

BEST SELLING ALBUM
Leonie May: 'Vergeet My Nie'

MTN BEST SELLING MOBILE MUSIC DOWNLOAD
DJ Cleo: Hands Up

BEST NEWCOMER
Andile Mseleku: Essence Of Joy

BEST DUO/GROUP
Soweto Gospel Choir: Live At The Nelson Mandela Theatre

BEST FEMALE ARTIST
Lira: Soul In Mind

BEST MALE ARTIST
Abdullah Ibrahim: Senzo

MTN RECORD OF THE YEAR
Rhythmic Elements: 2 By 2

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Lira: Soul In Mind

SAMA Yellow Carpet