Gqom, Amapiano get Sama recognition 11 January 2021 - 07:38 Image: Gallo Images / Oupa Bopape Kwaito, Amapiano and Gqom will for the first time compete as standalone categories at the South African Music Awards (Samas) after years of being consolidated. Sowetan has confirmed that three new categories will be introduced for the 27th annual installment of SA’s longest-running and prestigious music awards. Last year musicians in these genres competed under the umbrella Best Kwaito Album category, with DJ Tira’s Ikhenani winning the category. The year before the combined category was Best Kwaito/Gqom/Amapiano and Spikiri scooped it. “In our extensive consultations with the industry as we planned for SAMA27, it became abundantly clear that the general feeling was to separate these categories,” said Samas spokesperson Lesley Mofokeng yesterday.