Toya DeLazy.
Between the mounting chaos, anxious TV crews and performers taking part in their final rehearsals for Saturday evening’s annual South African Music Awards (Sama), a few newcomers nervously wait to hear whether industry experts think they’ve outshone their peers.
DeLazy, who has six nominations for her debut album Due Drop Deluxe, received a Sama at the ceremony for technical achievement on Friday evening for best producer (Jax Panik).
During Saturday night's live broadcast she'll collaborate onstage with male artist of the year and best rap album nominee, Sizwe “Reason” Moeketsi.
DeLazy said that the best newcomer nomination is the category she has been most thrilled about. “Winning that would feel like I brought something fresh into the industry.”
The Love Is In The Air singer will be competing against eclectic soul group The Muffinz, alternative album nominee Tailor, best African adult album nominee Bongeziwe Mabandla and Friday night's R&B/soul/reggae album award-winner Khaya Mthethwa.
The creative team of the event has promised viewers and the estimated 5 070 guests who are expected to fill the Sun City Superbowl Arena, in the North West Province, an extravaganza of light and sound.
'It's not a high school prom'
"We didn't want to have a formal theme for the show, it's not a high school prom. But at the same time we did want the show to have some sort of cohesive creative look and feel, so we settled on the idea of lights as a unifying creative referrence," said show director Gavin Wratten.
For weeks, fans have been voting for the top five contenders for the record of the year award – which is the only category that is voted for by the public.
From the initial 20 songs in the category, Donald Moatshe, Mthethwa, Mi Casa, Oskido and Sfiso Ncwane were the final artists announced as the contenders in the category on Friday morning.
Nominations for record of the year are based on the number of times a track was played across South African radio stations in 2012.
Voting lines for this category closes on Saturday night at 10pm, and the winner will be announced towards the end of the show at 11.30pm.
To vote, SMS the letter of your favourite artist(s) to 083 123 SAMA (083 123 7262).
Letter Artist Track
F Donald Moatshe I Deserve
J Khaya Mthethwa Move
M Mi Casa Heavenly Sent
N Oskido Tsa Mandebele
P Sfiso Ncwane Kulungile Baba
Catch the MTN Sama yellow carpet fashion highs and lows on Real Goboza on SABC1 on May 10 at 6.30pm. the ceremony will be broadcast live on SABC 1 at 20.30pm on Saturday night.