The post Nominees for Best Hip Hop Album At The 2025 SAMAs Announced appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
Nominees for Best Hip Hop Album At The 2025 SAMAs Announced. The South African Music Awards (SAMAs) continue to celebrate the vibrant and evolving landscape of the country’s music scene. On August 28, 2025, the nominees for the 31st annual SAMAs were unveiled in a virtual event, showcasing a diverse array of talent across genres.
Among the highlights is the Best Hip Hop Album category, which features five standout projects from some of SA’s most innovative rappers. These nominees reflect the genre’s growth, blending trap, introspection, street narratives, and even touches of amapiano and R&B. The winners will be announced in November during an evolved hybrid ceremony.
This year’s lineup includes Blxckie with See U Soon Deluxe, Tony Dayimane with Red October: Induction, Loatinover Pounds with Pray 4 Pitori, Sizwe Alakine with Audio 2D; Dear Darkie, and 25K with Loyal To The Plug: The Life & Times of Don Kilograms. Each album brings a unique flavour to SA hip hop, drawing from personal stories, cultural roots, and sonic experimentation. Let’s dive into the nominees and what makes their projects contenders for the crown.
Blxckie – See U Soon Deluxe
Somnyama, better known as Blxckie, has been a rising force in SA hip hop since his breakout in 2020. Hailing from Durban, he’s known for his melodic trap style and effortless flow. See U Soon Deluxe, released in November 2024 as an expanded version of his major label debut, clocks in at 13 tracks and 35 minutes, showcasing his ambidexterity between hip hop and R&B. The album features mild influences of amapiano and dancehall, with standout additions like the electrifying “South” produced by Take A Daytrip and “Burnt n…” highlighting his versatility.
Tony Dayimane – Red October: Induction
Emerging from the Durban scene, Tony Dayimane is a storyteller at heart, often weaving themes of family, resilience, and personal growth into his lyrics. His 2024 album Red October: Induction is described as a lyrical memoir, exploring the complexities of fame, love, and loyalty through immersive tracks. Released in October 2024, the project has been hailed for its compelling narrative, with reviews noting its highs and lows in unpacking Dayimane’s life experiences. As one of the fresher voices in the game, this nomination positions him as a rising star, with the album’s introspective vibe resonating strongly in SA’s hip hop community.
Loatinover Pounds – Pray 4 Pitori
Pretoria-based rapper Loatinover Pounds brings a raw, church-inspired energy to his debut album Pray 4 Pitori, released in September 2024. The project is a homage to his hometown (Pitori being slang for Pretoria), featuring collaborations with heavyweights like Thato Saul and 25K. Clocking in as one of the year’s best, it’s praised for its high-quality production and musicality.
Loatinover Pounds has explained the title as a prayer for his city, with careful selection of features to elevate the narrative. Fans have called it a classic, surpassing many 2024 releases and topping charts like Apple Music. This nomination highlights the album’s cultural impact and Loatinover’s meticulous craftsmanship. ‘
Sizwe Alakine – Audio 2D; Dear Darkie
Sizwe Alakine, the alter ego of rapper Reason (formerly of Motif Records), infuses amapiano with classic hip hop on his 2024 release Audio 2D; Dear Darkie. The 14-track, 47-minute album samples kwaito elements and old-school Mzansi rap, creating a “quintessential kasi rap” experience within the amapiano space. Features include Umthakathi Kush, Ntombela, and Strickly BK, with production from SPeeKa, 808x, and others blending boom bap and amapiano.
Released in September 2024, it’s been lauded as exactly what hip hop needed, offering an auditory treat that revives nostalgic sounds while pushing boundaries. Alakine’s nomination reflects his evolution and the album’s role in bridging genres in SA music.
25K – Loyal To The Plug: The Life & Times of Don Kilograms
Pretoria rapper 25K delivers a sophomore triumph with Loyal To The Plug: The Life & Times of Don Kilograms, released in October 2024 and curated by producer Zoocci Coke Dope. The album blurs introspection and street lore, tackling themes of hustling, love, loyalty, and personal growth across tracks like “I Was Broke” and “Something Special.”
Reviews call it one of 2024’s most anticipated projects, encouraging listeners to recognise their potential through 25K’s life lessons. With its narrative depth and sonic polish, this nomination cements 25K’s status as a storyteller in SA hip hop.
As the SAMAs approach their November climax, the Best Hip Hop Album category promises fierce competition. These nominees not only represent the pulse of SA hip hop but also its future, blending tradition with innovation. Who will take home the trophy? The buzz is building, and fans are eagerly awaiting the results.
The post Nominees for Best Hip Hop Album At The 2025 SAMAs Announced appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
The post Nominees for Best Hip Hop Album At The 2025 SAMAs Announced appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
Nominees for Best Hip Hop Album At The 2025 SAMAs Announced. The South African Music Awards (SAMAs) continue to celebrate the vibrant and evolving landscape of the country’s music scene. On August 28, 2025, the nominees for the 31st annual SAMAs were unveiled in a virtual event, showcasing a diverse array of talent across genres. …
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