2020

South Africa surely made history on the 12 December 2020 when RMG hosted the awards virtually witnessed the 9th Annual SA Hip Hop Award 2020 here are the  winners getting their awards. ​

Sa hip hop awards 2019

The theme for this year is the revolution will be computerized and with the 4th industrial revolution fast approaching, we're honored to be in the forefront of it all with the Hip Hop culture, this will be visible from the stage design, the skits we're doing and the performances on the night. It is always an amazing thing seeing the Hip Hop congregation come together, which is seeing the dancers, the graffiti artists, the producers and everyone in the room being happy for each other and congratulating each other because we're all so happy that Hip Hop has come so far. We're currently shooting interviews for the South African Hip Hop Museum that we're currently building and just to hear the stories from people like Lance Stehr, Ready D, Falko who will be our Honorary Award recipient and Emile YX? who will be our recipient for the Ubuntu Activism Award on how Hip Hop in South Africa was like in 1984 is proof on how far we've come and that indeed the revolution will be computerized" said the Director Osmic Menoe.
We have had some made some major changes to the categories and aim to raise the bar even higher, the changes include merging the MVP and Hustler Of The Year Award together to become one, the Best Video award will be awarded to the directors of the respective videos instead of the artists themselves and we have also had to remove out the Kings Of The Province, Best Graffiti Artist and the Best Dance Crew categories due to a declining number of submissions over the years

Past.

Prophets of the City - Never Again
The group began in late 1988 when Shaheen and Ready D experimented in a small 8-track studio (owned by Shaheen's father, Issy Ariefdien and Lance Stehr the current Ghetoruff CEO) and produced a demo that ultimately became "Our World" (1990), the first South African hip hop release

Present.

Riky Rick ft Frank Casino - Family
Riky Rick's first side of music began at a recording studio session with Bongani Fassie. It was by Bongani's side that Rick was inspired to make his own music. That is when he released his first single Barbershop featuring Da L.E.S. He then rose to fame by the release of his hit single Nafukwa.

Future.

J Molley - Hype
There has never been a better time for aspiring artists to be active than right now. There is a special and very specific type of energy floating in the music industry, especially here in South Africa. The conventional structures in the music industry are slowly going out of style, particularly with the youth. .
How did hip hop begin?
In the 1970s, an underground urban movement known as "hip hop" began to develop in the South Bronx in New York City. It focused on emceeing (or MCing) over "breakbeats", house parties and neighbourhood block party events, held outdoors.
What is rap culture?
RAP, a music, an industry, and a culture. R.Kelly. ... RAP is urban music that grew out of the hip-hop movement of the South Bronx, New York, in the 1970s. It blends rhythmic instrumental tracks created by a disc jockey, with the spoken, rhyming lyrics of an MC, (Rapper).
​What is the definition of hip hop culture?
Hip-hop is a type of music. It is also a culture, or way of life. It includes many types of expression-for example, rapping, deejaying, dancing, and graffiti painting. ... Thecultural movement known as hip-hop emerged in the late 1970s in the predominantly African American South Bronx section of New York City.
Is hip hop a subculture?
Origin of the term is credited to various rappers, but DJ Afrika Bambaataa is credited as the first to describe Hip Hop as a subculture. As described in Wikipedia, DJ Afrika Bambaataa “outlined the five pillars of hip-hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking, graffiti writing, and knowledge.
IS hip hop and rap the same thing?
Rap is poetry set to an external rhythm separate from the rhythm of the speaker, while hip-hop is a subculture that encompasses four key stylistic elements: MCing/rapping, DJing/scratching, break dancing, and graffiti writing.
Who is the father of hip hop?
DJ Kool Herc: Founding Father of Hip Hop. DJ Kool Herc, also known as Kool Herc is credited for throwing the first hip hop party in 1973 at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx.
​What was the first hip hop song ever?
Rapper's Delight" was a 1979 single by American hip-hop trio The Sugarhill Gang. While it was not the first single to feature rapping, it is generally considered to be the song that first popularized hip-hop in the United States and around the world
What is trap rap music?
Trap Music Explained. ... The percussion samples of choice when making trap music are usually originate from the Roland TR-808 Drum Machine. When speaking of the “originators” in the trap music game, southern rappers like Waka Flocka Flame, Gucci Mane, Young Jeezy, Three 6 Mafia, and Manny Fresh come to mind.

winners

Check the full list below

best female

Nadia Nakia

album of the year

YounstaCPT - 3T

Best collaboration

Beast ft Sjava - Hello

Dj of the year

DJ PH

Song of the year

Yanga Chief - Utatakho

Hustler/MVP of the year

Cassper Nyovest

Freshman of the year

Flame

Best international brand

Castle Lite collected by (Spoken Priestess)

Producer of the year

Makwa

Lyricist of the year

Honorary award

Best remix
Ginger Trill Collected by (Big Hash)
Falko collected by (Vouks)
 25k ft Emtee & AKA - Culture Vulture (RMX)

Best radio show

Absolute Hip Hop Hosted Speedsta & Lootlove​

Promoter of the year

Fill Up

Best Male 

Flame

Buntu activism award

Emile XY Collected by (Vouks)

Best local Brand

Butan

Video of the year

Imraan Christian for Younsta CPT Young van Riebeck
Photo Credits by Cedric Nkaza

honourable minster mthethwa recieves the pyramid gift.

sahha Trophy

The South african Hip Hop awards was the most highly anticipated event on any hip hop calendar. Taking place at The Lyric Theatre after two years at The Alex theater in Braamfontein, the level of the production was stepped up. The awards will be screened on e.tv on New Year’s Eve.

As expected, AKA and Cassper Nyovest were the big winners of the night. AKA won Best Male, Best Video, Best Collab and MVP Of The Year. Cassper won Best Album, Most Digital Sales, and Song Of The Year. During his acceptance speech he took a jibe at his rivals: "I am the only guy in this whole room who can say I have a gold-selling album.” 

Cassper Nyovest and Riky Rick had the entire theatre up on their feet with their hits, ‘Doc Shebeleza’ and ‘Boss Zonke’ respectively. 

SA Hip Hop Awards Billionaires 2017

anything is possible

We received countless Submissions from the 7th of August 2017 until 22 September. Nominee list was released & the ceremony took place on the 13th of December now we have all the winners.  Click now on the winners tab list.

sahha welcomes K.0

We were proud to have K.O on our stage this year for the past 5 years the Skanda republic champion has boycotted the awards for 5 years. In support of hip hop & growing the culture the sahhas will always welcome artists who are not happy how the awards handled in future we will like him to participate again.

patty manroe

Dropped on 27 January, this is the first full-length offering from the bubbly emcee from Cape Town, courtesy of After Life Talent. Malatjie is an Afrikaans word used in the Cape to refer to a person who is mentally unstable.  we were honored to have her on stage she is top 5 of the best female mc's who are consistent putting work

Show highlights 

Cassper Nyovest, The Doc Shebeleza hitmaker, walked away with 5 awards at the prestigious ceremony namely The Milestone Award, Hustler of the year, MVP , Album of the year & best male we salute you Caspper.

new generation j molly

J Molly the new merging young artist rocked the stage & showed how his generation can rock the crowd he released his anticipated EP which pulled  streaming numbers he is also nominated for best new comer & best mixtape check out his tape on slikour onlife or soundcloud.

 we crown best female

Rouge wins this years best female ahead of  MegMafia, nelz,Lee stk & patty Manroe The judges & the public have decided she put in more work then any other female even thou Gigi was suppose to be part of the best 5 this year it would've been a great battle because both females had a great year we congratulate Rouge.

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hip hop politics

With all the politics happenings this year the sahha team decided to theme this year Hip Hop politics 24 years of freedom the country has witness many disputes from different oppositions parties we kept the ceremony current 

creed crew

South of Johannesburg gets its share of world class talent and artistic talent from the Creed Dance Crew, with most of the members residing in Glenvista. Now they are 2017 best dance crew the Sahha would like to encourage these youngsters to keep up the good work see you next year.

song of the year

Kwesta takes song of the year ahead of cassper & Aka. he has been very consistent with his music he is the current best digital seller with:
​5x Platinum - NGud (Single)
1x Platimun - Maibabo (Single)
1x Platinum - Nomayini (Single) 
we like to congratulate kwesta for this great achievement

Highlights of 2019 awards

SAHHA CoRner

Emtee
entertainer/Artist
Bars: 3/5
​Style: 5/5
Delivery: 4/5
Skills:4/5
4bidden
Mc/Musician
​Bars: 4/5
​Style: 2/5
Delivery: 5/5
Skills:4/5
Flex Boogie
Live performer
​​Bars: 5/5
​Style: 3/5
Delivery: 4/5
Skills:5/5

Recent News

Every year we have the pleasure of  bringing  the hottest SA Hip Hop artists from old to new, together under one roof. Over the last few  years,  Le Club rappers have come in numbers, the  likes of Jaz , Snazz, Gundi & Slikour even partook in The Corner cyphers.
The Corner cyphers, also had Maraza , Ejay, Pava Guns & Clara T ripping the mic into pieces. Other features include Reason , Mr beef , Flex boogie , Crusade , PdotO & more. Make sure you catch all The Corner content from 2012 – 2018 on our Youtube channel

nomination brief. 

Cypher corner (Knowledge)


Freestyle: the improvisational wing of emceeing. Originally found as a written verse that has no specific topic, the hip-hop definition of freestyle emerged with Myka 9 of Freestyle Fellowship as a rap or rhyme created in the moment or “off the top of the head.”

Flow: poetic delivery; how you communicate your rhymes or poems; the rhythm and command with which you rap or speak.

Bars: another word for lines or verses, derived from the musical word “bar” which is a counted measure of music.

Beatboxing: also known as the “Fifth Element,;” the ability to make a beat with one’s mouth instead of drums or drum machines. Beatboxing became a staple sound of hip-hop and modern dance music.

​Graffiti: hip-hop’s visual element. The modern form of graffiti or “graff” actually began before hip-hop music and dance, but it quickly became a part of the culture as many graffiti artists grew up in the same area as other hip-hop artists. Many graffiti artists are emcees, deejays, and/or breakers.
​

2017 winners

Blog News
Over 500 entries were submitted for the 6th Annual South African Hip Hop Awards (SAHHA2017). That was followed by a thorough vetting process by the industry experts from different fields.

After the vetting process, the finalists were shortlisted and the nominees were announced now we have the winners

SABC 1 came on board as an official media partner for SAHHA 2017 to be flighted on the 30th of December 2017.

THE CORNER: is the SAHHA Cypha which was pre-recorded for both the event and television.

​The 6th Annual South African Hip Hop Awards (SAHHA 2017) will took place on the 13th of December 2017 at Lyric Theater, Gold Reef City in Johannesburg.

The performances by some of the nominees delivered as promised it was electrifying and breathtaking.

Check the winners for this years awards or download the press release document & check also the nominees 

A Special thanks to everyone who attended the ceremony & a special thank you to the SAHHA team that put the show to be glamorous as possible
Photo Credits by Austin Malema 

EMTEE WINS AN AFRIMA AWARD

Johannesburg, 14 November 2017- After the release of his momentous sophomore album Manando, Emtee has been dubbed the Best Male Artist in Southern Africa at the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMAs) ceremony.

​
​Held on Sunday, 12 November 2017 at the Eko Convention Centre Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria, top African acts gathered at this prestigious event where Emtee walked away with his first-ever ARIMA award. With two nominations on the night, he was announced Best Male Artist in Southern Africa and the African trapper trailed off as the room erupted in cheers.

“I was sitting over there with people I have been watching on TV when I was growing up and now I'm in the same category as Bra Hugh Masikela who I consider a legend, I feel like a legend right now”, said the multi award winning powerhouse in his acceptance speech.
The multi-talented artist graced the stage with a stunning performance that left the crowd wanting more. The AFRIMA win brings Emtee’s award tally to statues.

Best Albums that came out each year

2012

Best Album of the Year
AKA - Alter Ego

2013

Best Album of the Year 
Khuli Chana - Lost in Time

2014

Best Album of the Year
Cassper Nyovest- Tsholofelo

2015

Best Album of the Year 
Riky Rick - Family Values

2016

Best Album of the Year
Emtee - Avery
For as long as hip-hop has existed, it's spawned arguments. For decades now, fans of rap have been staking out ground, hills to die on, each concerned with one question: Who is the best? And the debate for the GOAT has a long-running spinoff, one of the primary criteria for being the greatest of all time—has that rapper made a classic?

What classic actually is, outside of just being a very good album, is up for debate. Which is partly why the argument is so fun to have—everyone is working from a different rubric. Some people are concerned with the quality of the rapping, others the popular response, others still need it to have shifted the culture significantly.

When one hears the term ‘classic’, it garners a few different responses. We hear this term thrown around very much in today’s culture. My opinion on the term is simple, yet complex at the same time. The term ‘classic’ in terms of Hip Hop means any album or single that not only separates itself from the bunch, but it does so in such unique and counter-cultural fashion. It requires delicate timing and thought, the type of which is bold enough to challenge the status quo and which creates new boundaries.

A ‘classic’ Hip Hop release serves as a new flagship in artistic merit that completely shakes down lazy, plain, typical art into deep levels of brilliance, provocation, and the desired outcome of achieving masterpiece work. In short: the audacity to be different in positive and creative ways.

​Classic” is a word that’s used exclusively to talk to other fans; it’s a term for creating consensus, not assigning value. Whether or not something is a classic isn’t really about whether it’s good, and it certainly doesn’t have much to do with a personal favorite. Instead, it’s a way for us to talk about the albums that everyone loves, the ones that genuinely connected people. It’s a decided-upon battlefield that can’t be won by strategy or trickery, only outnumbering the other side.

the corner (Cypher)

A cypher or cipher is an informal gathering of rappers, beatboxers, and/or break-dancers in a circle, in order to jam musically together. The term has also in recent years come to mean the crowd which forms around freestyle battles, consisting of spectators and onlookers.

​Freestyle rapping is spitting lyrics in ciphers (or alone) that you make up on the spot. While you might sneak in a line or two that you wrote the night before, most of your flow should be improvised, spontaneous, and off the top o' the dome. Keep your freestyle lyrics funny, improvised and creative.

​Freestyling is often done in a group setting called a "cypher" (or "cipher") or as part of a "freestyle battle". Due to the improvised nature of freestyle, meter and rhythm are usually more relaxed than in conventional rapping.

 (2012 - 2020)  sa hip hop awards timelime
The South African Hip Hop Awards (SAHHA) started in 2012. They are organised by Ritual Media Group (RMG).
The very first ceremony was held at Alex Theatre in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, and the ceremony has since moved to Lyric Theatre in Gold Reef City, Johannesburg.
The event was initially televised on ETV, but has since moved to MTV Base. The SAHHAs honour every element of SA Hip Hop and the event has been growing exponentially every year.

The South African Hip Hop Awards (SAHHA) are known for breaking SA Hip Hop artists. Most big name rappers won their first ever award at the SAHHAs, ie Cassper Nyovest, IFani, EmTee, Nasty C, Tumi (Stogie T), Reason, Miss Pru DJ, to name but a few who later went on to become superstars. The SAHHA ceremony is held evry year within the first 2 weeks of December
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Awards Debut​
Hip Hop Transformation​
20 Years of freedoom
African by nature
Billionaires
Alex Theater
Alex Theater
Lyric theater
Lyric Theater
Lyric theater
21 November 2012
20 November 2013
17 December 2014
9 December 2015
14 December 2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Hip Hop Politics
Where I'm From
Revolution  will be computerised
New world Oder
Lyric theater
Lyric theater
Lyric theater
Digital Show
13 December 2017
14 December 2018
23 November 2019
12 December 2020

 Press & media conference (2015)
The 4th Annual South African Hip Hop Awards 2015, took place on Wednesday, 9th December at The Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City, Johannesburg, where great achievements within the local hip hop culture will be celebrated.

The theme was year is African By Nature.

Accolades will be given to active members within the industry. Winners receive a statue that is called a Pyramid. The show had boast a number of appearances, live performances and tributes by today’s leading musicians. This will be prerecorded for ETV broadcasting purposes. These were the highlights of the press conference that was held in Museum africa.

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archives & history 
The 2012 SA Hip-Hop Awards took place last night and below is a full list of the winners. We hear the awards were quite a success despite one of the countries top rappers AKA withdrawing from the awards earlier this week. He was nominated in 8 categories and was one of the big winners tonight (wonder if he’ll keep the awards at all)
RMG would like to congratulate all artists for the nominations for the 1st Annual SA Hip Hop Awards. Taking place at the Alex Theatre 

Workshop

Some of the workshops that took place in ost newtown was to discuss the current state of hip hop how do we improve the culture.

promo video

The 1st Annual SA HIP HOP awards that took place in Alex theater this is our first branding promo for it throwback for the culture

highlights

this is some of the highlights that took place in Alex theater an extraordinary night check out some of the winners on the history page