DJ Maphorisa’s SAMA32 campaign is built around collaboration.
The producer and DJ appears twice in the Best Collaboration category, with Abantwana Bakho and Dlala Ka Yona, putting him alongside some of the leading names in amapiano and contemporary South African music.
Abantwana Bakho is credited to DJ Maphorisa and XDuppy, with Kabza De Small featuring Thatohatsi, Young Stunna and Nkosazana Daughter.
Dlala Ka Yona brings together DJ Maphorisa and XDuppy, Enny Man Da Guitar, Focalistic, Ricky Lenyora, Uncool MC and Mellow & Sleazy.
The two nominations illustrate Maphorisa’s role as a producer who frequently works across large collaborative ensembles rather than limiting his output to solo recordings.
His career stretches back beyond amapiano.
Maphorisa first became widely known through production and DJ work in South African house music before becoming involved in the development and commercial expansion of amapiano.
His partnership with Kabza De Small produced the Scorpion Kings project, which became one of the most recognisable producer partnerships associated with the genre.
The SAMA32 nominations continue that relationship. Kabza De Small appears on Abantwana Bakho, while Maphorisa’s name is again placed alongside multiple amapiano performers.
Maphorisa has also previously received SAMA recognition with Kabza De Small. At the 29th SAMAs, the pair were nominated for Duo or Group of the Year for Scorpion Kings Live Sun Arena.
His current nominations therefore extend an established awards history.
The Best Collaboration category at SAMA32 is particularly crowded. The other nominated tracks are Shela by Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle and Mano; Thandaza by Sam Deep and Thatohatsi; and Tobetsa 3.0 by Myztro, Leehleza, Shaunmusiq and Ftears.
The category illustrates how collaboration has become central to South African contemporary music.
Maphorisa’s two entries are also connected to the broader amapiano ecosystem that dominates several of this year’s categories.
His role at SAMA32 is therefore not simply that of an individual nominee. His work is embedded in a network of producers, vocalists, DJs and performers whose recordings have helped define the current South African sound.
The awards process will ultimately distinguish between the five collaborations.
For Maphorisa, however, having two separate tracks in the same category already makes him one of the central figures in the SAMA32 collaboration race.
The result on Saturday will show whether either Abantwana Bakho or Dlala Ka Yona can secure the award.