Luwe Da Lion Wins Best Reggae Album Award with "AFTER ALL" At SAMA 31

14 December 2025

What a night it has been in South Africa for reggae lovers. Luwe The Lion, born Lunga Wela, stole the show at the 31st South African Music Awards with his compelling album "After All," as he came tops in the Best Reggae Album category. The Album was released under Blackness Blue Productions. Being surrounded by strong competitors like Black Dillinger, Dimahr, Botanist Mr Lamington, and Don Dada, Luwe Da Lion's victory meant everything to his career and the South African reggae scene.

"After All" is an album full of tapestry of rhythm, storytelling, and cultural pride. The project fuses roots reggae, beautiful lyricism, and addresses resilience, love, struggle, and triumph-elements that resonates with the young and old. Songs like "Against the World", "Reggae Moja", and "Without You (presented in radio and marijuana editions) are proof that mzansi reggae can hold its own against the world. 

^{Image: Sammy Royal (Blackness Blue Productions) & Luwe Da Lion} 

Hailing from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, Luwe Da Lion's foray into reggae has deep roots in his upbringing and personal experiences. From having a pen and a dream as a teenager to growing into his voice through musical influences, his sound carries with it a specific South African flavour that salutes struggle just as much as celebration.

Luwe Da Lion's win at SAMA 31 indeed solidifies his status as a dynamic storyteller and cultural voice. The one thing that is for sure: the music is here to stay, and the world better listen up when he roars.

Reggae in South Africa remains thriving in pockets that are devoted, loyal, yet consistently overlooked. Luwe's win is precisely what puts the genre in the same spot it should be: front and center, recognized for its development as much as for its heritage.