The impetus for this change has come from the more than 1500 members of the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA) - the collective body that oversees the MTN SAMAs. It's also a reflection of global and domestic appetite for music, which is increasingly leaving behind sub-genres in the pursuit of a focus on musical excellence.
In line with international trends that have seen the Grammy Awards, for example, trim down by close to 30 categories, MTN SAMA 18 is set to have around 15 genre categories covering rock, adult contemporary, pop, dance, traditional, jazz, and urban, among others. All qualifying records that fall under these genres will now be adjudicated alongside each other, by judges drawn from the MTN SAMA's academy of independent industry experts.
The reconfiguration of the MTN SAMA 18 categories is part of an ongoing process of refining the MTN South African Music Awards.
"Every year RISA and its members undertake an intensive review of the categories and the awards show as part of an ongoing commitment to take the MTN SAMAs forward in the best possible way," said the newly appointed MTN SAMA CEO, Randall Abrahams.
Abrahams said that the changes are also intended to reflect the MTN SAMAs unique standing within the domestic music industry.
"There are several other awards events that focus on specific music genres, among them the Metro Awards and the SATMAs. What distinguishes the MTN SAMAs is that it is a celebration of the rich variety of home-grown music we find in this country, and the new category structure is a way of rewarding the best of the best within that."
Abrahams is also confident that MTN SAMA 18's newly revised categories will enhance the live television element to become a world-class music show to be reckoned with, with increased time available for the unique performances by nominees that the event is known for. Together with rewarding excellence in the genres, more musical performances at MTN SAMA 18 will help fulfil the MTN SAMA mandate, which is to provide publicity for South African recording artists and their music.
A full list of categories and rules for entry will be available on the MTN SAMA website. Entries open on 1 November and close on 30 November 2011.
For more information, go to www.samusicawards.co.za.
