Tiktok viral songs in new Samas category
TIKTOK virality has given rise to many of the biggest songs in South Africa over the past few years. With dance challenges becoming the order of the day. For amapiano artists, the entertainment platform has become the most popular avenue for artists to push music.
Seeing this trend, the 28th South African Music Awards ( Sama28), has introduced a new public- voted category, Tiktok Viral Song of the Year.
“From your FYP to # TiktoKATSAMA28: here are the nominees for the first- ever Tiktok Viral Song of the Year music category at # SAMA28,” Tiktok South Africa shared on Twitter.
The award recognises and celebrates local songs and artists who have dominated the platform in South Africa in the past year.
Yuvir Pillay, Tiktok’s music operations lead for sub- Saharan Africa, said music was a special part of Tiktok’s creative DNA.
“We have seen that songs going viral on the platform generally do well on streaming services as well. This plays an important role in the recognition of songs and artists, and influences other areas such as nominations, chart rankings and sales.”
Of the 10 songs nominated, three songs stand out as serious contenders: 9umba, TOSS and Mdoovar’s umlando, Abo Mvelo by Daliwonga featuring Mellow & Sleazy and MJ, and Ch’cco & Mellow & Sleazy’s Nkao Tempela.
The latter gave rise to the hottest challenge last year after Ch’cco introduced an infectious dance on social media that spread across the globe like wildfire.
This year umlando exploded on to the scene when Toss debuted a hip- swaying dance move on social media and quickly saw it go viral.
Similarly, Abo Mvelo blew up on Tiktok well before the song’s release after Daliwonga teased an enticing promo video of the song in which he did a dance similar to that of umlando that had users begging him to release it.
With the Samas edging closer, the Tiktok Viral Song of the Year nominations can be voted for on Tiktok until August 24, and the winner will be announced at the live event taking place at Sun City on August 28.