Tkay Maizda, Bad//Dreems, AB Original Clean Up At 2016 SAM Awards

The 2016 SAM Awards winners once again reinforce the state’s formidable creative scene, with local favourites Bad//Dreems, AB Original and Tkay Maizda leading the pack with multiple wins.

The celebration boasted a different format this year, rolling out as a formal seated event at the prestigious Norwood Concert Hall with a wealth of local talent taking to the stage in between presenters, including Best Group winners Bad//Dreems – who also claimed Best Release for their debut album, Dogs At Bay - dishing up new single Mob Rule.

Rising superstar Tkay Maidza picked up Best Song for her efforts on Ghost as well as Best International Collaboration with Martin Solveig effort Do It Right and AB Original took home Best Aboriginal Or Torres Strait Islander Artist and Best New Artist, with their debut album, Reclaim Australia, due out in two weeks.

Upcoming buzz act MANE scored Best Female Artist and Most Popular Pop Artist, the latter of which was determined through public voting on The Music, while folk troubadour Kaurna Cronin was awarded the prestigious Ryan Freeman Live Music Award as well as $4,000.

“We could not be more proud to recognise and celebrate the wealth of talent we have in South Australia,” Music SA general manager Lisa Bishop said.

“Every year we see the talent develop, and more and more South Australian artists contend on the international stage.”