The 27th Annual South African Music Awards were the 27th edition of the South African Music Awards. The award show was broadcast live on SABC 1 on July 31, 2021 and was held virtually due to the effects of COVID-19 lockdowns.
The nominees were announced on 19 May 2021. Kabza De Small received the most nominations with six, ahead of Sun-El Musician with five nominations. The 27th annual SAMAs introduced new categories, introducing best amapiano, gqom and kwaito albums as their own categories.
On 17 July 2021, it was announced that television personalities Bontle Modiselle and Lawrence Maleka were to be the hosts of the ceremony.
Performers
The list of performers was announced on July 28.
Winners and nominees
Nominees are as listed below. Winners are in bold. { | class=wikitable |- ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Album of the year ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Female Artist of the Year ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Male Artist of the Year |-
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Once Upon A Time in Lockdown – Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa (Scorpion Kings)Persistence – Bongo RiotThe Healers: The Last Chapter – Black MotionI Am The King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust – Kabza De SmallBack to Love – Junior Taurus | valign="top" | Sho Madjozi – What a Life Reign Africa – On the Frontline Bucy Radebe – Spiritual Encounter Nomcebo Zikode – Xola Moya Wam’ HLE – Your Kingdom on Earth | valign="top" | Kabza De Small – I Am the King of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust Sun-El Musician – To The World & Beyond Bongo Riot – Persistence Oscar Mbo – For the Groovists Junior Taurus – Back to Love |- ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Newcomer of the Year ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Duo/Group of the Year ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Rock Album ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Pop Album |-
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Bucy Radebe – Spiritual Encounter
Xolly Mncwango – Jesus is Enough
Reign Africa – On the Frontline
BandaBanda & The Crocodiles – Africado
Azana – Ingoma
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Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa (Scorpion Kings) – Once Upon A Time in Lockdown
Reece Madlisa & Zuma – Ama Roto EP
MFR Souls – Musical Kings
Mas Musiq & Aymos – Shonamalanga
Mi Casa – We Made It
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Orange Sunshine – Yum YuckChrome Neon Jesus – Ethyl Ether
Here’s to the Now – Nathan Smith
The Devils Cattle – Ruff Majik
Nothing’s Gonna Change – Oooth
| valign="top" |Tribes & Angels – Locnville11:11 – Rowlene
I Don’t Sleep – Jethro Tait
Sugar – Mark Stent
She – Amy Lilley
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! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Pop Album
! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Afro Pop Album
! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best R&B/Soul Album
! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Adult Contemporary Album
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| valign="top" |Twintig20 – Brendan Peyper2021 – Die Heuwels Fantasties
Die Toekoms is Synth – Synth Peter
Gewigloos – Juan Boucher
Gemaklik Verlore – Christa Visser
| valign="top" |Ngumama – Vusi NovaIngoma – Azana
Molimo – Manu Worldstar
The Voice of Africa – Kelly Khumalo
Tugela Fairy: Made of Stars – Simmy
| valign="top" |Uhambo – Soul KultureA Force To Be Reckoned With – Thando
LANGA – Langa Mavuso
Sindisiwe – LaSauce
Small World – Ricky Tyler
| valign="top" |Beyele - The Journey Continues – Max – HobaUmsebenzi – Sjava
Isambulo – 1020 Cartel Artists
Bamako – Simphiwe Dana
Buhlebendalo – Chosi
|-
! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Classical Album/Instrumental Album ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Contemporary Music Album ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Hip Hop Album ! style="background:#EEDD85; width=50%" | Best Reggae Album |-
| valign="top" |We’ve Known All Times – Wouter KellermanLive in Cape Town – Guy Buttery & Derek Gripper Imagine – Charles du Plessis Trio Live in Lisbon – Nibs van der Spuy and Guy Buttery Tek’o – CH2
| valign="top" |Herverbeel – Die Heuwels FantastiesWandel in my Woning – Refentse Net Geleen – Bernice West Monumentaal – Ruhan Du Toit Spontaan – Riaan Benadê