Don Dada earns SAMA32 nomination for best reggae album

South African reggae artist Don Dada has been nominated for Best Reggae Album at the 32nd South African Music Awards (SAMA32) for his latest project, Forward We Continue, marking another milestone in a career dedicated to elevating African reggae on the global stage.

Born Menelik Nesta Gibbons, Don Dada has built a reputation as one of Africa’s leading independent reggae voices. The SAMA32 nomination recognizes not only the six-track album but also his years of work promoting African reggae while forging creative links between South Africa, Jamaica and the wider international music community.

Forward We Continue centres on themes of unity and hope, blending traditional reggae influences with African identity, conscious lyricism and contemporary production.

The album encourages solidarity and community building during a time of global uncertainty. The project features an international lineup of collaborators, including legendary Jamaican producer Leroy Scarlett, alongside reggae icons Sly Dunbar and the late Robbie Shakespeare.

Other contributors include Billboard producer Yowlevite, producer SuperProducerRapz, acclaimed South African praise poet Jessica Mbangeni, vocalist Bheki Nene (Urban), and humanitarian Geeza Graham. Together, the collaborators reinforce the album’s message of unity across Africa and the global diaspora.

The nomination adds to an already distinguished career for Don Dada. He achieved multi-platinum success with VIVA Mandela, one of South Africa’s fastest-growing independent digital releases, and became one of the first South African reggae artists to receive global distribution through Tuff Gong International, the label founded by reggae legend Bob Marley.

His career has also included performances in Kingston, Jamaica, including appearances on the prestigious Bob Marley tribute stage. Beyond performing, Don Dada serves as an official Voting Member of the Recording Academy, the organization behind the GRAMMY Awards, and has earned several international awards and nominations while championing African identity through music.

Despite his international success, Don Dada has remained an independent artist, building his platform through his own studio, RuFF CuTT Studio, and maintaining a focus on authentic storytelling rooted in African culture. Reflecting on the nomination, Don Dada described it as recognition for more than just his own work.

“Forward We Continue is bigger than me,” he said. “It belongs to every African who refuses to give up. It belongs to every young artist who believes that independent music can reach the world. This nomination is proof that purpose, consistency and faith still matter. We move forward together.“

The nomination also highlights the continued growth of South African reggae, a genre that has increasingly gained international recognition while remaining connected to its Jamaican roots. Don Dada’s music reflects that evolution by combining reggae traditions with distinctly African perspectives and themes.

As the SAMA32 awards approach, Forward We Continue stands as another chapter in Don Dada’s journey, from independent beginnings in South Africa to growing recognition on the global music stage.

Written by Oral Ofori for TheAfricanDream®