The nominees for the 2011 Annual South African Music Awards were announced at La Toscana at Montecasino in Fourways earlier this evening. The star-studded event saw scores of musicians and the compatriots of the industry come to witness who made it to the finalists ahead of the ceremony to be held at Montecasino on the 20th and 21st of May 2011.

Leading the pack with a whooping 6 nominations is Prime Circle, who are nominated for Best Rock Album: English, Best Producer, Best Duo/Group Of The Year and Best Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year and Best Album Packaging. Following them with 5 nominations is house/dance music duo Liquideep. They were nominated in the categories for Best Duo/Group Of The Year, Best Newcomer Of The Year, Best Record Of The Year, Best Album Of The Year, and Best Urban Dance Album.

With 4 nods apiece are Professor, nominated for Best Kwaito Album, Best Record Of The Year, Best Male Of The Year, and Best Album Of The Year; Stimela in the categories Best Traditional/African Adult Contemporary African DVD (for their Live At The Playhouse: 30 years DVD), Best Engineer (for their recent album A Lifetime), and Best Remix Of The Year (for the Black Coffee remix of their Ladysmith Black Mambazo- and Thandiswa Mazwai-assisted Turn On The Sun); Best Adult Contemporary Album: African; The Parlotones with 2 videos nominated for Best Music Video Of The Year, as well as competing for Best Rock Album: English and Best Global Chart DVD; and Zakes Bantwini who got nods for Best Male Artist Of The Year, Best Album Of The Year, Best Record Of The Year and Best Urban Dance Album.

The next group of artists with 3 nominations each are Freshlyground, including Best Video Of The Year for Chicken To Change and Best Adult Contemporary Album: English for Radio Africa; Thandiswa Mazwai, going for Best Urban DVD, Best Female Artist Of The Year and Best Adult Contemporary Album: African; Goldfish in the categories for Best Record Of The Year, Best Producer and Best Global Dance Album; Loyiso Bala in the race for Best Male Artist Of The Year, Best Record Of The Year and Best Adult Contemporary Album: English; DJ Kent, with nods for Best Producer, Best Male Artist Of The Year and Best Urban Dance Album; and Locnville vying for Best Newcomer, Best Global Chart DVD and Best Pop Album: English.

Other highlights include Tumi And The Volume, who are nominated for Best Rap Album and Best Duo/Group Of The Year; Tutu Puoane for Best Traditional Jazz Album; Jonathan Butler for Best Contemporary Jazz Album; Mthunzi Namba for Best African Contemporary Gospel Album; Nothende for Best Remix Of The Year; Bhekukuzi Luthuli and Ihhashi Elimhlophe, both for Best Maskandi Album; Vusi Mahlasela for Best Adult Contemporary Album: African; UJU for Best Alternative Music Album: African; Howza for Best Urban Pop Album; and Black Coffee for Best Record Of The Year and Best Remix Of The Year for the Stimela remix mentioned above.

There were some peculiar ones too. Like Rhythmic Elements who are nominated under the Best Pop Album: African category (aren’t they supposed to be under the dance field because it’s only the one solo member that has veered into the Afro pop genre?), as well as Jae who is nominated for Best Global Dance Album (she has changed her sound to a more pop-ish style though). And what’s up with the Country music category? Which radio station plays that kind of music?

However, the most notable and shocking thing is the absence of Simphiwe Dana whose album Kulture Noir collected numerous big prizes at the Metro FM Music Awards in November last year. Teargas should have also gotten more nods, maybe one for Best Record Of The Year as they have been churning out hit after hit, as well as the Best Rap prize.

Besides those grievances, the nominations were fairly neutral. Please see the complete list below and let us know what your predictions are and who you would have loved to see that is not on the list.

The first part of the list represents the major categories and most of those that will be presented in the televised show on the 21st of May. Well done to all the nominees. And good luck for the big one next month.

The write up about the actual event and pictures will follow up tomorrow morning.

Best Rap Album

• Amu – The Principal
• Kwesta – Special Rekwest
• Slikour – Ventilation Volume 3 (VV3)
• Tuks Senganga – Tshwanelo
• Tumi & The Volume – Pick a Dream

Best Kwaito Album

• L’vovo Derrango – Irresistible
• Mandoza – Real Deal
• Professor – University Of Kalawa Jazmee
• Sosha – 745 Mission
• Thebe – Mujomba

Best Reggae Album

• Denga – Reggae Hits (Sendelani)
• Jah Seed – No Retreat No Surrender
• Rastaman Nkushu – Mphe Sebakanyana
• Rob Prophet – Jennifer
• Storm – Prayer

Male Artist of the year

• DJ Kent – I Can’t Survive
• Loyiso Bala – Full Circle
• Professor – University Of Kalawa Jazmee
• Theo Kgosinkwe – Grateful
• Zakes Bantwini – Love, Light & Music

Female Artist of the year

• Karen Zoid – Terms & Conditions
• Louise Carver – Look To The Edge
• Nianell – Sand & Water – Live & More
• Siphokazi – Ethembeni
• Thandiswa – The Forgotten Free – Live In Concert

Duo/Group of the year

• Flash Republic – Killer Moves
• Kwela Tebza – Gauteng Made In South Africa/Mzansi
• Liquideep – Fabrics Of The Heart
• Prime Circle – Jekyll & Hyde
• Tumi & The Volume – Pick a Dream

Newcomer of the year

Jay – Solo
• Kwesta – Special Rekwest
• Liquideep – Fabrics Of The Heart
• Locnville – Sun In My Pocket
• Nomsa Mazwai – Nomisupa

Record of the year

• Alone – Liquideep
• Breathing – Prime Circle
• Bum Bum – Zakes Bantwini
• Dreamer – Arno Carstens
• Fire Is Low – Freshly Ground
• Get Busy Living – Goldfish
• Hobie Beach – Kinky Robot
• Imoto – Professor
• It’s A Party – Jozi
• Lovesick – The Arrows
• Love You Better (w/ Rue-Groove) – Crazy White Boy
• Mama (w/ Ringo) – Black Coffee
• Ngisemthanda (w/ Joocy, DJ Tira & Dr Duda) – DJ CNDO
• Potoko (w/ Juice Matute) – DJ Mahoota
• Show Dem (w/ HHP) – JR
• Turn Up The Volume – Auriol Hays
• Twisted – Crash Car Burn
• Warrior – Louise Carver
• Woza – Jaziel Brothers
• Wrong For You – Loyiso

Album of the year

• Flash Republic – Killer Moves
• Liquideep – Fabrics Of The Heart
• Prime Circle – Jekyll & Hyde
• Professor – University Of Kalawa Jazmee
• Zakes Bantwini – Love, Light & Music

The winners from the finalists below will be announced in the Friday, 20th May 2011, segment of the awards weekend.

Best Traditional/African Adult Contemporary African DVD

• Benjamin Dube – Worship In His Presence with Benjamin Dube
• Dorothy Masuku and Friends – Live at Mandela Theatre
• Stimela – Live In Concert: 30 years
• Uche – Live At Lyric Theatre
• Worship House – Project 7 It Is Well With My Soul

Best Urban DVD

• Nhlanhla Nciza – Live At The Joy Of Jazz
• Teargas 101 – Teargas 101 Live
• Thandiswa – Dance Of The Forgotten Free

Best Global Chart DVD

• Locnville – Sun In My Pocket: Platinum Edition
• Nadine – Live In Europe
• Nataniël – Cathedral
• Nianell – Sand & Water – Live & More
• The Parlotones – Live Design

Best Afrikaans DVD

• Lize Beekman – Ek Was Al Daar
• Romanz – Treffers Live
• Rudi En Corlea – Ons Lieflinge/Our Darlings In Konsert
• Wian Vos – Geseënde Van God
• Wicus Van Der Merwe – Spietkop Live

Best Jazz/Instrumental/Popular Classical DVD

• Helena Hettema – Alive
• Marcus Wyatt Language 12 – Live at House of Nsako – Sept 2008
• Nibs Van Der Spuy – Live at the Vagabond Cafe
• Sterling EQ – Live in concert at the Artscape Opera House, Cape Town

Best Multi – Artist Live DVD

• Dr. Victor & The Rasta Rebels – Live in Concert
• Huisgenoot Skouspel 2010 – Huisgenoot Skouspel 2010
• Huisgenoot Skouspel 2010 Plus – Huisgenoot Skouspel 2010 Plus
• Songs and Psalms – Live Kwa-Mashu

Best Music Video of the Year

• Freshlyground – Chicken To Change
• Nomfusi – Nontsokolo
• Teargas – Goodfellaz
• The Parlotones – The Stars Fall Down
• The Parlotones – Life Design

Best Producer

• Danny K – Across the Line
• DJ Kent – I Can’t Survive
• Goldfish – Get Busy Living
• Leanne – The Journey
• Prime Circle – Jekyll & Hyde

Best Engineer

• CrashCarBurn – Long Live Tonight
• Freshlyground – Radio Africa
• Jax Panik – I am Jax Panik
• Joe Niemand – Love
• Stimela – A Life Time

Remix Of The Year

• Danny K – Made To Love You
• Flash Republic – In The Name Of Dance (Roger Goode & Tinky’s Electro Boogie Mix)
• Louise Carver – These Days (Ryan Dent Mix)
• Nothende – Got to Go
• Stimela – Turn On The Sun

Best Album Packaging

• Die See – Die See
• Nomsa Mazwai – Nomisupa
• Prankster – Lay Me Down
• Prime Circle – Jekyll & Hyde
• Versus The Wolf – Uncovering Faces

Best Afrikaans Traditional Music Album

• Die Teelepeltjies – Speel Boere-Country
• Hennie de Bruyn en die Kitaarkerels – Die Kitare Praat
• Manie Bodenstein – Iets Ouds, Iets Nuuts
• Mooiplaas Boereorkes – Boere – Lekkerkry
• Theo Erasmus – Classics Gaan Sakkie Sakkie

Best South Sotho Music (SeSotho) Album

• Ea Ha Makopela Nyamatsana No.4 – Ke llela Khutso
• Morusu – Morusu Vol. 2
• Motseki – Motseki ka Ferene kulo (Lejoe)
• Tsepo Maliela – Ke Tla Loana

Best Tsonga Music (XiTsonga) Album

• G.T. The Junior Chauke – Movha
• George Maluleke – Byela Kgokolo
• Mhan Flow – Xibombi No.1.
• Mr. Jambatani Nwa Mapfotlosela Vol. 5 – Bomba Muchangana
• Thomas Chauke – Shimatsatsa No.30

Best Venda Music (TshiVenda) Album

• Ndivhaleni Mundalamo – Ri Funane
• Sankambe – Vhadededzi Vha Milingoni
• Zozo Sangere Super Beat – Tshelede

Best Mbhaqanga Album

• Impumelelo – Isihlakaniphi
• Soul Brothers – Thul’ Ubheke
• Themba Ngwenya – Thel’umoya

Best Maskandi Album

• Bhekumuzi Luthuli – Imali Yabelungu
• Ichwane Lebhaca – Omama Bengani
• Ihashi Elimhlophe – Isililo
• Mfiliseni Magubane – Iqhalaqhala
• Thokozani Langa – Sthanda Ifamily

Best Popular Classical Album

• Inette Swart – Chopin Plus
• Ockie Vermeulen – Arena
• Peter Martens & Luis Magalhães – Beethoven Cello Sonatas
• Tygerberg Children’s Choir – Champions In Song
• Zanta Hofmeyr – Cantilena

Best Instrumental Album

• CT Tango Ensemble –Tango Club
• Greg Georgiades, Steve Newman, Ashish Joshi – In The Clouds
• Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra – The Boundless Music Of The Soul Brothers
• Sterling EQ – Sterling Speel Afrikaans
• Wouter Kellerman – Two Voices

Best Traditional Jazz Album

• Kesivan & The Lights – Instigators of the Revolution
• Kyle Shepherd – A Portrait Of Home
• Lisa Bauer Quartet – Finding A New Way
• Phillip Tabane – Live At The Market Theatre
• Tutu Puoane – Mama Africa

Best Contemporary Jazz Album

• Brigitte Mitchell – Don’t Explain
• Carlo Mombelli & The Prisoners Of Strange – Theory
• Heels Over Head – Could It Be
• Jonathan Butler – So Strong
• Ological Studies – OS Freedom

Best Adult Contemporary Album: English

• Freshlyground – Radio Africa
• John Manuel – Lost and Found
• Karen Zoid – Terms & Conditions
• Louise Carver – Look To The Edge
• Loyiso Bala – Full Circle

Best Adult Contemporary Album: Afrikaans

• Albert De Wet – Die Vensters Na My Siel
• Gemaak In SA – Jakkie Louw
• Romanz – Romanz – Live CD
• Rudi En Corlea – Drome
• Steve Hofmeyr – Duisend en Een

Best Adult Contemporary Album: African

• Siphokazi – Ethembeni
• Skipper Tshabalala – Bekezela
• Stimela – A Lifetime
• Thandiswa – The Forgotten Free – Live in concert
• Vusi Mahlasela – Say Africa

Best Urban Gospel Album

• Dominion – I’ll Run To Him
• Fifty 50 Family – Kazi Kuyoba Njani
• Maira – Oh How I Need You
• Patrick Duncan – Worship In Colour
• Simply Chrysolite – Chrysolite Volume 1

Best African Contemporary Gospel Album

• Benjamin Dube – Worship In His Presence
• Group – Spirit Of Praise Vol 3
• Mthunzi Namba – Mercy Live In Durban
• Uche – Live At Lyric Theatre
• Worship House – Worship House Project 7 – It Is Well With My Soul

Best African Traditional Gospel Album

• Deborah – Awunasabelo
• Kholeka – Siyakuvuma
• Lundi – Uhambo Lwami (My Journey)
• Rebecca Malope – Uzohamba Nami
• Sechaba – Thank You

Best Traditional African A Capella Gospel Album

• Amadodana Ase Wesile – Ke Dumetse Ho Morena
• Enyonini Mission – Ebumnandini
• Macecilia A St Paul – Ngoan’A Lehlasoa
• Rob Rodell – A Cappella Christmas
• Vuma Zion: Original Volume 1 – Amen

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album

• CRC Radiation – With All My Heart
• Doxology – Doxology
• Joe Niemand – Love
• Rivers Creative – Above The Sound
• Wholehearted – Wholehearted

Best Afrikaans Gospel Album

• Krisstel – Opstaan
• Rina Hugo – Ek Sing Vir Hom
• Romanz – Ek Sal Getuig
• Wian Vos – Geseende Van God
• Willie Joubert – Ek Wil Jubel

Best Kiddies Album: English

• African Treehouse – African Numbers
• Cathy Del Mei – Angel Tunes
• Cathy Del Mei/Additional Artists – Zeal tunes
• Nedine Blom – Supercool 2- Partyhits
• Wendy Oldfield – In the Womb

Best Kiddies Album: Afrikaans

• Alta Joubert & Minki Burger – Lollos 2 – Bons Dat Dit Gons
• Carike Keuzenkamp – Carike & Ghoempie Kuier Saam Met Ghoeghoe In Kinderland Vol.7
• Graeme Sacks & Erika Strydom – Goggatjie Se Tradisionele Afrikaanse Wiegeliedjies
• Kobie Coetzee – Kokkelollies

Best Country Music Album

• Alan Ladd – Country – Spore
• Die Campbells – Keep It Country Vol. 2
• Manie Jackson – Manie Jackson
• Ray Dylan – Goeie Ou Country
• Various – Ons Sing Kenny & Dolly

Best Rock Album: English

• John Ellis – My Own Way Home
• Prime Circle – Jekyll & Hyde
• The Narrow – You Don’t Get To Quit
• The Parlotones – Live Design
• Zebra & Giraffe – The Inside

Best Rock Album: Afrikaans

• Countdown To The Red Carpet – Countdown To The Red Carpet
• Glaskas – Aan Die Ontmaskerde Heldin
• Straatligkinders – Lank Lank Oorlede En Ses Voet Benede
• Van Coke Kartel – Skop, Skiet En Donner
• Van Diens Af – Dit Wat Was

Best Alternative Music Album: English

• Abbott Nu Jazz – Do The Bossa Favour
• Boo! – The Three Of Us
• Prankster – Lay Me Down
• Wrestlerish – The Rude Mechanical
• Yoav – A Foolproof Escape Plan

Best Alternative Music Album: Afrikaans

• Bittereinder –‘n Ware Verhaal
• Die See – Die See
• Die Tuindwergies – Die Tuindwergies
• Foto Na Dans – Die Vloed
• Les Javan En Die Delta Vastrapgenootskap – Hiervandaan

Best Alternative Music Album: African

• Mwaba Na Nseka – One World
• Ndzingah – 1976
• Nomsa Mazwai – Nomisupa
• Rudi Mbele – Celebration In The Motherland
• Uju – Free

Best Pop Album: English

• Danny K – Across The Line
• Jax Panik – I Am Jax Panik
• Locnville – Sun In My Pocket
• Louise Day – Swallowed By The City
• The Arrows – Make Believe

Best Pop Album: Afrikaans

• Gerhard Steyn – Als Begin Eers Nou
• Jay – Solo
• Juanita Du Plessis – Engel Van My Hart
• Kurt Darren – Oos Wes Tuis Bes
• Lee Scott – Die Enigste Manier

Best Pop Album: African

• Camagu – Camagu
• Patricia Majalisa – Epatini
• Rhythmic Elements – Bandorondoro – Ancestors
• Speedy & Stoan – Second Son Rise
• Theo Kgosinkwe – Grateful

Best Urban Pop Album

• Chomee – Fly The Flag
• Ernie B St. Clair – I Am Universal
• Howza – World Premier
• Kwela Tebza – Gauteng Made In South Africa/Mzansi
• Ntombi Ngcobo – African Sexy

Best Sokkie Dans Album

• Die Campbells – Komaan Kom Dans
• Fredi Nest – Dronkverliefverslaafaanjou
• Kurt Darren – Die Beste Medisyne
• Ray Dylan – Ek Wens Jy’s Myne
• Various – Ons Sing Boney M

Best Urban Dance Album

• DJ Kent – I Can’t Survive
• Giggs Superstar – Deep House Chronicles 4
• Liquideep – Fabrics Of The Heart
• Tumelo – Arise and Shine
• Zakes Bantwini – Love, Light & Music

Best Global Dance Album

• Byron Keno – Breathe In Love
• Flash Republic – Killer Moves
• Goldfish – Get Busy Living
• Jae – Inner Voice

Best R&B/Neo-Soul Album

• Blackkurrant – Urban Soul
• Bryce Anderson – Music In My Life
• Leanne – The Journey
• TXL – Three
• Verd – Verd