2021 Nominations
The nominees for the 12th annual Scottish Alternative Music Awards (SAMA) are revealed today, with the winners announced at an exclusive live ceremony at Glasgow's Saint Luke's on Saturday 27th November 2021.
SAMA 2021 will celebrate the rich creativity and innovation of musicians across Scotland and champion the best of the nation's emerging artists whose talents have shone over the past 12 months despite the ongoing challenges presented by COVID-19.
Best Acoustic
Christy
Constant Follower
Lizabett Russo
Lizzie Reid
Best Electronic
AISHA
Barry Can’t Swim
KAVARI
Macka
Best Hip Hop
Bemz
Chef
Clarissa Woods
K4cie
Best Live Act
Andrew Wasylyk
Bemz
Rachel Aggs
Tom Spirals
Best Metal
Dvne
Frontierer
Godeater
Hellripper
Best Newcomer
AiiTee
Bee Asha
Chef
Danny Cliff
Best Rock/Alternative
Dictator
MEMES
Spyres
Swim School
Fans are asked to vote from a total of 28 of the best new artists in the country, selected by some of the country's most influential music tastemakers and champions, including Phoebe Inglis-Holmes of BBC Introducing In Scotland.
Phoebe Inglis-Holmes explains:
“I'm really delighted to see such a wide range of genres and artists being nominated at this year's event. This SAMAs 2021 honours list is truly full of some of the most exciting and deserving acts I think these awards have ever seen, to the extent that I think there'll be some really close calls for the winner, in multiple categories.
“It'll be amazing to feel that nervous anticipation on the night to see who'll come out on top, and of course catch amazing live performances from the likes of recent Sound of Young Scotland winner, LVRA.”
SAMA 2021 is funded by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland. Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland said: “After championing Scotland’s musical diversity for more than a decade, it’s clear that the SAMAs have an uncanny ability to pinpoint emerging artists just as they’re about to break through to wider acclaim. These awards provide a major platform for the people creating music today that will define the music of tomorrow. The SAMAs are a key partner for Creative Scotland, helping us reach deep into some of music’s most marginalised genres. Get voting, get listening and get ready to discover your new favourite artists.”
Each of SAMA 2021's seven categories is presented in partnership with organisations such as Keychange, Musicians' Union, BTOBeCreative, Academy of Music & Sound and Liverpool Sound City.
