The 30th South African Music Awards (Samas), held over the weekend, were meant to celebrate the success and talent of South African artists. However, the evening took an unexpected turn when the much-anticipated Record of the Year award went to Mthandeni SK, leaving fans and industry figures alike in disbelief. The real shocker? Tyla, whose hit single “Water” earned international acclaim and even a Grammy, was notably absent from the winners’ list.
Tyla’s omission sparked fierce debate across social media, with many voicing their frustration and questioning the integrity of the voting process. The star had a remarkable year, dominating the charts and gaining global recognition, and many fans felt that her achievements deserved local recognition on par with her international success.
Rapper Cassper Nyovest, never one to shy away from expressing his opinion, took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his surprise. “No ways. Tyla won a Grammy for ‘Water’, bro, but she don’t get the SAMA for Record of the Year at home? Haha, y’all are playing games,” he tweeted, expressing disbelief that a global hit didn’t secure the top spot at home. His comments resonated with a wide audience, who felt that local recognition should reflect international success.
However, not everyone agreed with Nyovest’s take. Some critics argued that the South African music scene should be measured by its own standards, not just in relation to global achievements. “She could have been cheated locally… that’s possible… HOWEVER… We cannot & should not benchmark American success to automatically mean South African success,” wrote one user, @GodPenuel. Others suggested that the local music scene had grown beyond simply mirroring global trends, and that awards should reflect the tastes and consumption patterns of South African audiences.
The debate took an unexpected turn when Mthandeni SK, who won Record of the Year for his collaboration with Lwah Ndlunkulu on “Paris,” responded to Cassper’s comments. On Facebook, he posted a pointed remark: “uCassper Nyovest yilabafan abasindwa zikhindi le ko Hip Hop uzovuka ngathi la Ku Maskandi ngizolishaya lelidada,” implying that Nyovest, a hip-hop artist, was stepping into the maskandi space for clout.
Nyovest, not one to back down from a confrontation, responded with a mix of humor and humility. He clarified that his comments were never aimed at Mthandeni SK personally, but rather at the fact that he believed Tyla’s international success should have earned her the local award. “Hey baba. Don’t be emotional, I never said anything about you. I just said Tyla had a bigger song, it won a Grammy and I felt like it deserved to win Record of the Year,” Nyovest wrote.
But then, in a twist that left many scratching their heads, Nyovest issued an unusual form of apology, suggesting a boxing match as a way to settle their differences. “I’m sorry you felt offended by my comments… I’m not the type to act hard, but I do like to box so if you wanna take it there, we can definitely go there. Nka go kwala matlho!!” he tweeted, signaling that he was open to settling their dispute in the ring.
The drama highlights a growing tension in the South African music industry, where local success and global recognition often clash. While Tyla’s snub may have been a catalyst for this debate, it’s clear that the conversation surrounding the SAMA awards and the value of international success will continue to simmer long after the dust settles.
