At TikTok, we love collaborating with creators and to reaffirm our commitment to inspiring creativity, we have partnered with the 28th South African Music Awards (SAMA28), to introduce the first ever public-voted "TikTok Viral Song of the Year" category. This award recognises and celebrates South African songs and artists that have dominated the entertainment platform in the past year.

The TikTok Viral Song of the Year nominations can be voted for exclusively on TikTok from Thursday, 11 August at midday until 24 August; and the winner of this category will be announced at the live SAMA event taking place on 28 August 2022 in Sun City, North West.



Yuvir Pillay, TikTok’s Music Operations Lead for SSA, says: “Music is a special part of TikTok’s creative DNA, and 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. We are honoured to have joined forces with an event like the SAMAs that boast the finest local music talent and contributes to the growth of the music industry.”

While the platform is an endless hub of viral tracks, we’re shining the light on the songs nominated in this new category:

  1. 9umba & TOSS & Mdoovar - uMlando
  1. Dj Karri - Trigger
  1. Daliwonga - Abo Mvelo (feat. Mellow & Sleazy & M.J)
  1. Thozi - Sisonke (feat. Khanyisa, Sphokuhle & Pd Jokes)
  1. Ch'cco & Mellow & Sleazy - Nkao Tempela
  1. Major League Djz & Nvcho & Mathandos - Bakwa Lah
  1. Nomfundo Moh - Phakade Lami
  1. Dj Maphorisa & Tyler ICU - Banyana
  1. Young Stunna - Adiwele (feat. Kabza De Small & Dj Maphorisa)
  1. Costa Titch - Big Flexa


To vote, simply:

  1. Download the TikTok app via your app store.
  1. Login/create a TikTok account.
  1. Select the search icon on the top right corner and tap the SAMA28 banner.
  1. Select your favourite song.
  1. Press vote.


We are also excited to invite our community to stay glued to the exclusive SAMA28 broadcast of night 1 awards taking place on the 27th of August as well as the red carpet & behind-the-scenes content of night 2 LIVE from the @thesamas_ TikTok page on the 28th of August.

These interactive TikTok LIVE broadcasts will give our community a special look into the fashion moments, award winning reactions and also allow awards attendees the chance to share their category winners' predictions for both evenings. With over 1.3M views already, our TikTok community is encouraged to use the hashtag #SAMA28 in -app to create and catch all the fun content the awards have to offer.

A music celebration on TikTok would not be complete without dedicated playlists to celebrate the evolution of music and the role it played in the South African revolution. Our music loving community can participate and enjoy the locally inspired #SAMA28 playlists in-app which will inspire creativity and video creations.