Will Linley on SAMA recognition, global ambitions and staying true to himself

Will Linley secured the Best Pop Album Award at the 2026 South African Music Awards for Don't Cry Because It's Over".

Will Linley secured the Best Pop Album Award for “Don't Cry Because It's Over” at the 32nd South African Music Awards.

Linley’s still taking in the moment and is filled with gratitude, with the moment not simply about receiving another accolade.

It was an opportunity to pause and appreciate just how far he has come.

“I feel a lot of gratitude to just be recognised in a space where I feel like there's a lot of really inspiring things happening in the South African music scene right now,” he said.

“I think to be recognised in the midst of that was a humbling and exciting thing. I think it really was incredibly humbling and it felt so cool being there.

The recognition also allowed him to reconnect with the younger version of himself who once dreamed of making music his career and was grateful to be able to attend the SAMAs in Sun City.

“Sometimes things can feel diluted when you're suddenly there, and you're like, ‘Oh, yeah, like, this is cool.’ But actually, if you think about what 10-year-old Will would probably be thinking right now, he would be like, ‘This is so cool.’”

Winning an award at one of the biggest music awards in the country shows Linley is more than a rising star; he is humble, but the singer is reluctant to describe himself as famous.

“I wouldn't say I'm famous at all. But it is incredibly humbling. And I count myself as one of the luckiest people in the world to be able to get to do what I get to do,” he said.

For Linley, one of the most rewarding parts of increased visibility has been meeting the people who have been listening to his music.

“It's awesome to put a face to the number or whoever's been listening to the music. It really is a wonderful thing to meet people and say hello and to say thank you for listening to the music,” he said.

The next chapter of Linley's career is taking him beyond South Africa.

The musician is preparing to head to North America, where he will open for Canadian singer-songwriter Mico’s Running From A Feeling Tour across more than 20 shows in the United States and Canada.