Nominees for this year’s South Sudan Music Awards (SSMAs) were announced on Thursday, March 18, 2021.
The South Sudan Music Awards are presented annually since 2019 with the aim of celebrating South Sudanese singers, dancers, DJs, producers and comedians from both home and abroad.
Moses Yasin, SSMA brand ambassador, said: “I want to ensure our transparency in every aspect of the process, and I urge members of the public to use their votes with full confidence. This will be virtually held due to the COVID-19 pandemic,”
The SSMA seeks to foster the development of the South Sudan music industry by recognizing and rewarding musicians who excel in the South Sudanese music genres: Reggae, Hip Hop, Afro Pop, R&B, Dance-hall and Traditional.
Those awards are organized as part of group efforts to make the cultural heritage and natural resources in South Sudan more visible and preserved.
The ‘South Sudan Music Awards’ was developed after realizing that one of the major challenges facing the country’s music industry was to promote and elevate the music industry to regional and international levels.
Here is the complete list of South Sudan Music Awards nominees.
Best African Act of the Year
- Honey Franko
- Joy Mbaraza
- Beati Toni
- Baby Boy
- Ak Jay
Most Styled Artist of the Year
- Genesis Angel
- Trey David
- Silva Xtra
- Chamdena
- Mr Lengs
Hit Song of the Year
- ‘Facebook’ – Navi Lx
- ‘South Sudan Diva’ – Lul Simon
- ‘Salam Ja’ – John Bagara
- ‘Salam Ja’ – Chris Mun
DJ of the Year
- Selector T
- DJ Sango
- DJ Yankee
- DJ Simple Max
- DJ Muzrim
International Act of the Year
- Amac Don
- Ejay Shotdown Boy
- Yaba Angelosi
- Dynamq
- Emmanuel Jal
Song of the Year
- ‘Rabuna bi Ainu’ – Wrong T
- ‘Never Give Up’ – WJ the King
- ‘Gurus ta Belede’ – Silver Xtra
- ‘Aragan’ – Dynamq
- ‘Beled Taki’ – Viper Kaka
Gospel Song of the Year
- ‘Receive Fire’ – Alter Servant
- ‘Ana bi Arfa’ – Lady Amina
- ‘He Cares’ – Denaya Denis
- ‘Promise Keeper’ – Naami Joan
- ‘Jere le Rabuna’ – Jungle Preacher
Gospel Artist of the Year
- Jungle Preacher
- Lady Amina
- Samuel Maboto Motivated
- Star Eagles
- Dominic Living Wawa
Music Album/EP of the Year
- Yanas Revealed – Yanas
- The Tales of the Travelling Poet – Ade
- Angba Namo – Mbaraza
- Control – Beati Toni
- Binia Juba – Isaka Number one
Reggae Artist of the Year
- Isaka Number one
- Tvavy de Tablet
- Case Blanco
- Saab J Strategy
- Crazy Fox
Dancehall Artist of the Year
- Hizu
- Kilomijok
- Chamdena
- Macco Bwoy
- AK Swaggah
- Rocky Jay
Hip Hop Artist of the Year
- J Yang
- Lushy K
- Young Boy
- Lil Been
- 6ix Foot
- Black Queen
Comedian of the Year
- Daniel 400KG
- Wokil Jescommando
- AK Dans
- Ziko
- Feel Free
- VIP
Breakthrough Artist of the Year
- King Shabbi
- Wanda Star
- Rap Jay
- Rammy Millz
- Black Queen
- Jazz Band
Collabo of the Year
- ‘Taran Lord G’ – ft. J Yang
- ‘Never Replace You’ – Domi Dunia ft. Chris Mun
- ‘Massage Ugly Facile’ – Tonic Y4 and Hani Breva
- ‘Ado Wanna Loose’ – You by Senior Muoch ft. Fille
- ‘Ayayaa Maboto – Motivated ft. Levixone
- ‘My Daily Crush’ – Black Queen ft. Navy Boy
Producer of the Year
- Producer Bobi
- Linus the Genius
- Producer Lolly
- Slaughter the Panga
- Ronny Riddimz
- Producer Shako
Afrobeats Artist of the Year
- 50 De Born Talented
- Yung Blad
- Fanan Ngala
- DJ Scent
- Chris Mun
- AK Jay
Male Vocalist of the Year
- Domi Dunia
- Lul Simon
- YMO
- Single Dee
- Chris Mun
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Khelper Kandice
- Yanas
- Naomi Joan
- Hani Breva
- Minaa Hockelyy
- Tvavy de Tablet
Video Director of the Year
- Director Kpesa
- Director Obeezy
- Dir Aleon Ali
- Bebe Pix
- Director Ebo
Music Group/Duo of the Year
- Producer Bobi
- Mbogi Genje
- Panda Nation
- The Sparta
- Hardlife Avenue Stars
New Artist of the Year
- Bro Winner
- Helyaana Gagga
- Minaa Hockelyy
- Jazz Band
- Twise Busy
- Viking Sizza
Stage Performer of the Year
- Rebecca Trey
- Yanas
- YMO
- Crazy Fix
- Rocky Jay
- Lady Kala
Fans Favorite Artist of the Year
- Cocosan
- Yanas
- Lul Simon
- Hardlife Avenue Stars
- Single Dee
- YMO
RnB Artist of the Year
- Tvavy de Tablet
- Single Dee
- YMO
- Johny Bee
- Domi Dunia
- Lul Simon
Music Promoter of the Year
- King Mary
- Promoter Willy
- Promoter K2
- Promoter HBK
- Promoter Mbakstar
Female Artist of the Year
- Yanas
- Lady Kola
- Juna De Star
- Queen Zee
Male Artist of the Year
- Wrong T
- WJ De King
- Crazy Fox
- Silver Xtra
- Hardlife Avenue Stars
Video of the Year (Foreign Directed)
- ‘Boom Back’ – Lady Kola
- ‘Bem Bem’ – Kawaja Revolution
- ‘Binia’ v Silver Xtra
- ‘Yic Thiek Du’ – Alijoma
- ‘Nice Body’ – Chamdena
Video of the Year (Locally Directed)
- ‘Jambala’ – BBG Fraternity
- ‘Lockdown’ – Neetah Baibe
- ‘Boy Lover’ – Juna De Star
- ‘Kpete Viper’ – Kaka
- ‘Midu’ – Tony Y4 and Ugly Facile ft. Meenimen
- ‘Arusu’ – Hardlife Avenue Stars
Artists Manager of the Year
- El Kimz
- MC Okwandit
- Manager Dinato
- Alek Agom
- Shamsh Musa
- King Mary
Dance Group of the Year
- SSD Dancers
- White Moon Dancers
- Boom Dancers
- South Friends Dancers
- Heaven Stars Dancers
- New South Dancers
Afro Dancehall Artist of the Year
- Chris Moon
- One Pound
- Viper Koko
- MT7 Degree
- Nicky J
Overall Artist of the Year
- Hardlife Avenue Stars
- Crazy Fox
- Tutu Baibe
- DJ Scent
- WJ the King
- Yanas
Lyricist of the Year
- Young Boy
- Lushy K
- 6ix Foot
The voting is currently underway via the official site of the SSMA.
