Backstage at the 31st South African Music Awards (SAMA31), the atmosphere was electric as Afrikan Roots, alongside their collaborators, reflected on a landmark night that saw their hit single “Takala” walk away with two major accolades.
Two Awards, One Collective Vision
The collaboration “Takala” — officially credited to Black Motion x Afrikan Roots feat. DJ Buckz x MÖRDA — earned Best Duo or Group of the Year and Best Collaboration at SAMA31. The wins marked a proud moment not just for individual artists, but for a united creative front rooted in shared vision and cultural purpose.
Backstage Reflections: “Magic Happens When Minds Meet”
Speaking backstage, members of the collective described the win as deeply affirming. They emphasized that the awards belong to everyone involved, from Soshanguve to the broader Pretoria movement. The artists highlighted collaboration as a spiritual and cultural principle, noting that when more than two minds come together, something powerful is created — both musically and beyond.
SAMA Affirms the Power of Collaboration
In an official statement, the South African Music Awards acknowledged the joint effort behind the record, stating that “Black Motion and Afrikan Roots, alongside @djbuckz and @mörda turned collaboration into culture,” confirming that the accolades were earned through shared chemistry and collective contribution. Afrikan Roots welcomed this recognition as a true reflection of how “Takala” was created.
Consistency, Culture and the Pretoria Sound
The artists reflected on a long journey defined by consistency — from earlier works like Akulu Wo, Shikisha and Gomerah, to the present moment. They described their sound as neither strictly 3-Step, Amapiano nor Afro House, but a hybrid born from evolving times, great ideas and deep African roots. Pretoria’s rich cultural diversity, they noted, has played a key role in shaping this sound.
DJ Buckz: “We’re Only Scraping the Surface”
DJ Buckz, whose career spans over 16 years, made it clear that this moment is only the beginning. With more music, more awards and more milestones on the horizon, he expressed confidence that the collective’s biggest chapters are still ahead.
2026 and Beyond: Community, New Faces and New Music
Looking ahead to 2026, Afrikan Roots outlined ambitious plans that extend beyond music. These include educational programs across more than 200 schools in Pretoria, participation in civic campaigns around local elections, the release of a new EP, fresh collaborations and the introduction of new talent into the collective. Founding members also revealed plans to step back to allow emerging artists space to shine.
A new single titled “Mali” and an accompanying music video are set for release in early 2026, while DJ Buckz continues to build momentum with his single “Pitori 2 Mantua,” already gaining traction across social platforms.
A Win for Unity in South African Music
Ultimately, the SAMA31 victory stands as a symbol of unity, fairness and shared creativity. Afrikan Roots reiterated their commitment to collaboration within the South African music industry, thanking the SAMAs for spotlighting the power of moving as one — and proving that when collaboration becomes culture, everyone wins.
