Inside the 2025 Backing Vocalist and Session Music Awards in SA – Music In Africa |

A woman in a patterned dress speaks at a microphone on stage during the Session Music Awards in South Africa, with blurred lights and red accents in the background.

This year’s ceremony brought together artists, industry figures and visitors from across Africa and abroad. Twenty-six musicians received awards, each accompanied by a cash prize of R25 000 (about $1450). The evening featured performances and tributes, underscoring the importance of collaboration and the depth of talent within the sector.

Chaka Chaka, who created the awards to acknowledge behind-the-scenes contributors, emphasised the central role of supporting vocalists and instrumentalists in the music-making process. Her initiative…