As we celebrate Youth Day, we are turning the volume all the way up for the young musical innovators, the artists who are dictating the rhythm of the new school.
To truly understand their impact, we have to look at the evolution of the South African Music Awards categories. Over the decades, our categories have transformed, driven by trailblazers who encouraged the SAMA brand to expand, creating the perfect stage for today’s youth to redefine our sound.
In the Alternative category, artists like Bongeziwe Mabandla transformed the space into a globally fluid movement, paving the way for modern winners like Alice Phoebe Lou. Similarly, Pop juggernauts like Shekhinah and Brendan Peyper continue to build upon. Afro-Soul and R&B have evolved from Zahara’s monumental, record-setting standard to the deeply intimate storytelling of contemporary stars like Ami Faku.
Finally, the country’s Dance music scene has undergone a massive revolution; built on the legacy of Dance music titans like Black Motion, it is now globally dominated by Amapiano, a genre that only received its own SAMA category in 2019, yet is currently ruled by massive hitmakers like Vigro Deep and Kabza De Small.
Vigro Deep
Credit: YouTube
Starting with our youngest prodigy! When it comes to this Amapiano maestro, all we can say is ‘Ke Star!’ At just 24 years old, he has already secured his place in SAMA history and is no longer just a ‘Baby Boy’ of the industry; he is a certified hitmaker!
Back at SAMA26, his breakout solo album, Baby Boy III, was nominated for Best Kwaito Album. That same year, he won his first collective SAMA for Best Produced Music Video, sharing the honour with MFR Souls, DJ Maphorisa, and Kabza De Small for their massive collaborative hit, ‘Scorpion Kings.’
While old-school Amapiano was deeply rooted in laid-back, jazzy lounge grooves and mellow deep-house chords, Vigro Deep has helped pioneer the rhythm of the new school. He injects the sound with heavy, punishing log drums, electronic textures, and complex, aggressive basslines that completely shifted the energy of the global dancefloor.
Showing absolutely no signs of slowing down or playing it safe, he continues to push these sonic boundaries. He recently received a SAMA31 nomination for Best Amapiano Album for his acclaimed project, ‘Your Piano Is Not My Piano’, a title that perfectly captures how he has carved out his own unique, forward-thinking lane and evolved the Amapiano sound for an entirely new generation.
Brendan Peyper
Credit: Kimberley Events
Sometimes we look at our fleeting youth and just want to shout, “Stop, wag, bly nog ‘n bietjie.” But for Brendan Peyper, time has been nothing but kind!
Brendan represents a bold shift in the local music landscape. While old-school Afrikaans pop was largely defined by traditional sokkie rhythms and acoustic folk melodies, the genre and SAMA category of Beste Pop, has undergone a massive sonic evolution. Today’s new school is globally competitive and Brendan is at the forefront of this change.
He bridges the generational gap by taking the heartfelt, romantic storytelling that Afrikaans music is famous for and wrapping it in slick, modern electronic production, contemporary pop sensibilities, and undeniably catchy hooks.
His SAMA journey started by introducing us to exactly that fresh sound, earning two massive nominations at SAMA22 in the Beste Pop Album and Best Engineered Album categories for his debut project, ‘Stop, Wag, Bly Nog ‘n Bietjie’. He kept the momentum going with a Beste Pop Album nomination at SAMA25 for his third studio record, ‘Dis Nie Sonde Nie’.
The ultimate triumph arrived at SAMA27, when he officially took home the trophy for the category Beste Pop Album for his chart-topping project, ‘Twintig20’. His consistency in pushing the genre forward is undeniable, continuing to rake in Beste Pop Album nominations at SAMA29 for ‘Insomnia’ and SAMA30 for his romantic pop record, ‘Omdat Jy Mag’.
Brendan’s infectious energy, unique sonic blend, and phenomenal track record remind us that the rhythm of the new school is meant to be celebrated at full volume!
Ami Faku
Credit: DJs Production
In previous SAMA years, the Afro-Soul and Afro-Pop categories were defined by the monumental, acoustic-driven sweeps of icons like Zahara, whose historic, multi-award-winning records set the absolute gold standard for the genre. The sound of that era was rooted in traditional, powerhouse vocal arrangements and stripped-back instruments that commanded the room. Today’s sound has shifted away from traditional boundaries into deeply intimate, atmospheric storytelling.
No one embodies this modern rhythm quite like Ami Faku. They say money makes the world go round, but she taught us that true wealth isn’t just “Imali”; it’s the raw, undeniable talent of Mzansi’s youth driving this new wave. Capturing the essence of this evolution at SAMA26, she won the highly coveted Female Artist of the Year award for her breathtaking, platinum-selling debut album, ‘Imali’, while also picking up nominations for Newcomer of the Year and Best Afro Pop Album.
Unlike the solo-driven eras of the past, the rhythm of the new school is fiercely collaborative, and that unmatched vocal presence has made Ami Faku an absolute collaborative powerhouse. She earned double nominations at SAMA27 for Record of the Year and Music Video of the Year for her standouting feature on the hit ‘Uwrongo’. By SAMA28, she proved just how far the Afro-Soul sound has evolved, dominating the Record of the Year category with crossover dance hits like ‘Asibe Happy’, and ultimately winning Most Streamed Song of the Year for her massive chart-topping collaboration, ‘Abalele’.
She is a living testament to the phrase ‘Into Ingawe’ (It is in you), proving that the rhythm of the new school honours its iconic roots while boldly taking SA’s sound straight to the future.
Alice Phoebe Lou
Credit: Friendly Fire
In previous SAMA years, the Alternative category was shaped by artists like Nakhane and more. They dominated this space with multiple historic wins, gradually evolving the genre’s sound from traditional indie rock into a boundary-pushing, globally fluid movement. Their groundbreaking artistry laid the vital foundation for the next generation to experiment and thrive without limitations.
Today, the rhythm of the new school is taking that proudly South African sound straight to the global indie stage. The modern alternative sound is defined by dreamy introspection and atmospheric soundscapes, proving that SA’s youth are not afraid to carve out entirely new lanes for themselves.
No one exemplifies this fearless new rhythm quite like Alice Phoebe Lou. Listening to her ethereal voice feels like capturing ‘Something Holy’, as she truly knows how to make her music ‘Glow’.
In a rare and incredibly impressive feat at SAMA28, she proved just how dominant the new school has become by scoring a double nomination in the Best Alternative Music Album category. She was recognised for two entirely separate projects released back-to-back: her fifth studio album, ‘Child’s Play’, and her deeply introspective record, ‘Glow’. Ultimately taking home the well-deserved trophy for ‘Glow’, she has cemented her status as a mesmerizing, independent powerhouse who is brilliantly charting her own course!
Da Capo
Credit: YouTube
In previous SAMA years, South Africa’s Dance and Electronic categories were ruled by the heavy, percussive sounds of house titans like Black Motion. They dominated SAMA nominations year after year with a foundational sound characterized by raw, tribal energy, live drumming, and pulsing beats. They laid the essential groundwork for the genre, setting an incredibly high standard for what South African electronic music could achieve.
However, today’s sound has evolved from those strictly percussive house beats into something much more deeply spiritual and beautifully complex. Driven by the unstoppable energy and boundless creativity of South Africa’s youth, the modern dance category blends soulful introspection with world-class Afro-house production.
Standing out as a true beacon of this musical excellence is Afro-house genius Da Capo. He perfectly bridges the gap between the old-school foundation and the new-school evolution. Since his early breakthrough, which earned a Best Dance Album nomination at SAMA21 for his self-titled project, he has consistently redefined what the modern dance floor sounds like. Today, when Da Capo steps up to the decks, the entire crowd raises their hands and cries, ‘Yehla Moya’ (Let the spirit descend)!
He proved his dominance over the new school rhythm by completely taking over the Remix of the Year category. He took home the trophy at SAMA27 for his rework of Nduduzo Makhathini’s ‘Yehla Moya’. Showcasing the fierce, collaborative energy that defines the modern era, he backed it up at SAMA28 with a big win alongside Sun-El Musician and Azana for ‘Uhuru’, while also snagging extra nominations that same year for his remixes of ‘Mama’ and ‘Ladon’.
Through visionary producers like Da Capo, the rhythm of the new school proves that South Africa’s dance music isn’t just evolving, it is rapidly growing and taking the rest of the world with it.
Kabza De Small
Credit: YouTube Music
In previous SAMA years, the electronic and dance categories were largely dominated by the deep, sophisticated Afro-house sounds of hitmakers like Prince Kaybee. The era was defined by driving refined percussive loops, and sweeping, soulful vocal house arrangements that took South African club culture straight to Ibiza. While that foundation was iconic, “The Rhythm of the new school” demanded a shift, something closer to the streets, slower in tempo, and completely unorthodox.
Today, that sound has evolved into a global phenomenon. The new school slowed the tempo down to a groovy blend of deep house, jazz, and kwaito with atmospheric shakers and the unmistakable, earth-shaking rumble of the log drum. This is the era of Amapiano.
Finally, we bow to the royalty of the decks driving this modern evolution, Kabza De Small. He has always ensured that the youth can say ‘Asibe Happy’. As a certified SAMA titan, he consistently dominates the nomination boards across all major categories.
An Undeniable SAMA Legacy:
SAMA26: He officially kicked off his historic streak by taking home Best Produced Music Video for his collaborative heavyweight project, ‘Scorpion Kings’, alongside DJ Maphorisa.
SAMA27: He absolutely swept the awards with four massive wins, taking home Male Artist of the Year for ‘I Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust’, plus Album of the Year, Duo/Group of the Year, and Best Amapiano Album for ‘Once Upon A Time In Lockdown’.
SAMA28: The accolades kept rolling in as he scored Most Streamed Song of the Year for the inescapable chart-topper ‘Abalele’.
SAMA29: He racked up another four trophies, securing Best Amapiano Album and Best Produced Album for ‘KOA II Part 1’, alongside Best Kwaito Album and Best Duo/Group of the Year.
SAMA30: He didn’t stop there, adding three more wins to his vault. He snagged Album of the Year and Best Amapiano Album for ‘Isimo’ (with Mthunzi), plus Duo/Group of the Year, all while continuing to command public-voted categories with massive hits like ‘Imithandazo’.
By shifting the sound from the traditional deep house standard (which we still love) to the unstoppable groove of Amapiano, Kabza De Small hasn’t just evolved the dance category, he has redefined South African music history!
Today’s sound is a borderless, bass-heavy, and deeply collaborative movement driven entirely by the fearless energy of Mzansi’s youth. They aren’t just following a blueprint; they are actively rewriting the rules of the global music industry from the ground up. Ultimately, the New School of Rhythm isn’t just a showcase of what’s to come, it’s a vibrant declaration of what is already here. These phenomenal artists