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 standouts is the Best Hip Hop Album category, showcasing five remarkable projects from some of SA’s most creative rappers. These nominees symbolize the genre’s evolution, fusing trap, introspective themes, street tales, and even elements of amapiano and R&B. The winners will be revealed in November during a revamped hybrid ceremony.
This year’s selection features 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 contributes a distinctive flavor to the South African hip hop scene, drawing inspiration from personal narratives, cultural heritage, and experimental sounds. Let’s explore the nominees and the elements that elevate their projects to contender status.
Blxckie – See U Soon Deluxe
Known as Somnyama, Blxckie has emerged as a significant personality in SA hip hop since his rise in 2020. Originating from Durban, he’s recognized for his melodic trap sound and natural flow. Released in November 2024, See U Soon Deluxe is an enriched edition of his initial major label debut, consisting of 13 tracks spanning 35 minutes. It demonstrates his versatility between hip hop and R&B, with subtle influences from amapiano and dancehall. Standout tracks like the stimulating “South” produced by Take A Daytrip and “Burnt n…” highlight his adaptability.
Tony Dayimane – Red October: Induction
From the vibrant Durban music scene, Tony Dayimane possesses the heart of a storyteller, often incorporating themes of family, resilience, and self-discovery into his songwriting. His 2024 release, Red October: Induction, is characterized as a lyrical memoir, delving into the intricacies of fame, affection, and loyalty through engaging tracks. Released in October 2024, the album has received acclaim for its captivating narrative, with critics noting its emotional highs and lows as it depicts Dayimane’s life journey. As a fresh voice in the industry, this nomination places him in the spotlight, as the album’s reflective essence resonates well within the SA hip hop community.
Loatinover Pounds – Pray 4 Pitori
Loatinover Pounds, hailing from Pretoria, infuses an authentic, church-inspired vibe into his debut project Pray 4 Pitori, which launched in September 2024. This album pays tribute to his roots (with Pitori being slang for Pretoria) and includes collaborations with notable artists like Thato Saul and 25K. Recognized as one of the finest releases of the year, it has been celebrated for its superior production quality and musicality.
Loatinover Pounds clarified that the album title reflects a prayer for his city, thoughtfully selecting features to enhance the overarching story. Fans have hailed it as a classic, outshining many other 2024 releases and dominating charts such as Apple Music. This nomination signifies the album’s cultural significance and Loatinover’s artisanal dedication.
Sizwe Alakine – Audio 2D; Dear Darkie
Sizwe Alakine, the persona of rapper Reason (previously affiliated with Motif Records), merges amapiano with traditional hip hop on his 2024 album Audio 2D; Dear Darkie. This 14-track, 47-minute project incorporates kwaito sounds and classic Mzansi rap, crafting a “quintessential kasi rap” ambiance within the amapiano genre. With contributions from Umthakathi Kush, Ntombela, and Strickly BK, and production by SPeeKa, 808x, and others, the album blends boom bap with amapiano influences.
Released in September 2024, it has been praised as precisely what hip hop requires, offering a sensory delight that revives nostalgic elements while pushing creative limits. Alakine’s nomination highlights his growth and the album’s capacity to connect genres in SA’s music scene.
25K – Loyal To The Plug: The Life & Times of Don Kilograms
Pretoria’s 25K achieves a successful sophomore outing with Loyal To The Plug: The Life & Times of Don Kilograms, released in October 2024 and produced by Zoocci Coke Dope. This album merges reflective themes with street narratives, addressing issues of ambition, love, loyalty, and personal development across tracks like “I Was Broke” and “Something Special.”
Critiques have recognized it as one of 2024’s most highly anticipated efforts, prompting listeners to acknowledge their potential through 25K’s narratives. With its rich storytelling and polished sound, this nomination establishes 25K’s reputation as a significant storyteller in the South African hip hop arena.
As the SAMAs draw closer to their November culmination, the competition within the Best Hip Hop Album category is heating up. These nominees not only embody the essence of SA hip hop but also its promising future, merging tradition with innovation. Who will claim the esteemed award? The anticipation is building, and fans are keenly awaiting the results.
