THE winners of the 12th Scottish Alternative Music Awards (SAMA) were announced at a ceremony on Saturday (27th November) at Glasgow’s Saint Luke’s.

Hosted by new music champion Jim Gellatly and poet Leyla Josephine, the event saw AISHA, Bee Asha, Bemz, Dictator, Dvne, K4CIE and Lizzie Reid come out on top to become winners at this year’s SAMA.

BBC Radio DJs Vic Galloway, Shereen Cutkelvin and Phoebe Inglis-Holmes presented the awards to the seven winners during the celebratory evening which also featured exclusive live sets from double SAMA 2020 winner TAAHLIAH, recent Sound Of Young Scotland awardee LVRA and cult noughties band Union Of Knives.

The seven SAMA 2021 winners were chosen by the public over a three-day online vote earlier in November. A record 15,000 votes were cast on a shortlist of 28 of Scotland’s best emerging artists as selected by the country’s top industry professionals.

Richy Muirhead, founder of Scottish Alternative Music Awards, says: “The event was a fantastic celebration of our rich music culture here in Scotland as demonstrated with the 7 deserving winners. The live showcase performances were really powerful, energetic and show that artists really thrive in an environment where they can connect and interact with live audiences.”

Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland said: “Yet again the SAMAs have shown us where to look and listen if we want to know where the most exciting music in Scotland is being made. The 2021 winners revel in different styles and diverse backgrounds, fired up by the energy and creativity that has taken us through lockdown and out the other side. With the SAMAs as Creative Scotland‘s partner on the HANG conference and showcase, it’s particularly encouraging to see hip hop score so strongly at this year’s awards.”

Scottish Alternative Music Award Winners 2021

Best Live Act: Bemz

Best Acoustic: Lizzie Reid

Best Newcomer: Bee Asha

Best Rock/Alternative: Dictator

Best Electronic: AISHA

Best Metal: Dvne

Best Hip Hop: K4CIE