SAMRO’s new music awards initiative is taking the world by storm, celebrating South African music that truly goes beyond borders to make waves on the international stage. To add to the excitement SAMRO has now released the official categories.
Taking place on 28 June 2013, these awards celebrate local music that has enjoyed success and recognition in countries outside of our borders. The organisers have now announced the final list of categories in which SAMRO members may submit their entries, and there are a number of interesting surprises on the list.
Wawela is a Zulu word meaning “Go Beyond” and by all accounts the SAMRO has taken the word to heart to create something new for the South African music industry. The categories reflect the uniqueness of the event, with many of the awards looking beyond just commercial success in rewarding musicians for their international achievements. A host of categories offer musicians the opportunity to receive recognition for their music which has been showcased in many different ways internationally.
The categories have been divided into three broad groups namely; Standard Awards, Special Awards, andStatistical Awards.
Standard Awards are those categories in which SAMRO members may submit their works for consideration.Special Awards are those categories that are determined solely by the nomination of the judging panel. TheStatistical Award category is judged using SAMRO’s statistical data regarding each work’s performance therefore no submission is necessary in this category.
Perhaps most encouraging is the fact that many of the awards are not judged merely on commercial success, with many categories taking into account the artistic merit of each musical work and how each work complements the medium in which it is featured. For example, in the category, Best Sound Track in a Feature Film or Theatric Documentary, judges will be scrutinising how well the music enhances the visual content and the emotional impact achieved by the music in relation to the visuals. While the Best song or composition in a television commercial category will be judged on the music’s ability to enhance the visual content and complement the tone and feel of the commercial.
This means there are many opportunities for music to shine, regardless of the level of exposure it received abroad. Here are all the categories of the inaugural Wawela Music Awards, brought to you by SAMRO.
Standard Awards
Best sound track in a Feature Film or Theatric Documentary
Best song or composition in a television production
Best song or composition in a television commercial
Best song or composition in a radio commercial
Best creative album of the year
International hit song of the Year (outside SA)
Songwriter of the Year
Best South African Duo/Group
Best Female Artist & composer/co-composer
Best Male Artist & composer/co-composer
Special Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award
Breaking through the Borders / Frontier Award
Publisher of the Year
Prolific Catalogue of Works Award
Statistical Awards
SAMRO Award for Broadcast and Live Performances
WAWELA Award for Best Selling song via Digital & Online
There is no fee to enter, but only SAMRO members may participate in the inaugural Wawela Music Awards. Members can find out more by visiting www.wawelamusicawards.co.za. There is an online submission feature that allows members to enter categories, upload their music and enter quickly and easily using their SAMRO account numbers. Entries close on 02 April 2013.
For more information please call 011 712 – 8505 or email:info@wawela.co.za
For media related Queries please call 011 788 7632/31 or email: vanessa@jtcomms.co.za
