The African faces in Grammy 2023 nominations
The 65th Annual Grammy Awards will be presented on 5 February, 2023, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Its nomination has drawn up a number of celebrated African artists.
Rocky Dawuni, a musician and activist from Ghana is on the list, as well as Angélique Kidjo, a singer-songwriter from Benin, then two Nigerian Afrobeat stars Burna Boy and Tems, also Eddy Kenzo of Uganda; and three South Africans, Wouter Kellerman, Zakes Bantwini, and Nomcebo Zikode.
The award will honour top artists, songs, and records from the eligibility year, which runs from October 1, 2021, to September 30, 2022. Trevor Noah, a comedian from South Africa who hosted over the 63rd and 64th editions will also serve as the ceremony’s host a third time.
Rocky Dawuni appeared in Best Global Music Performance for his song “Neva Bow Down” – featuring Blvk H3ro, this makes Rocky a 3-time-Grammy-nominee. Also in the same category is “Gimme Love” by Matt B & Eddy Kenzo, “Last Last” – Burna Boy; and “Bayethe” by Wouter Kellerman, Zakes Bantwini & Nomcebo Zikode.
Burna Boy made his second nomination in the Best Global Music Album for his album “Love, Damini.” This is the third time Burna Boy will get nominated for Grammy Best Global Music Album category.
Angélique Kidjo also got nominated for Best Global Music Album category for her song Queen of Sheba – featuring Ibrahim Maalouf. She made a second appearance on the list under the category of Best Song Written for Visual Media for the song “Keep Rising” (from The Woman King) that includes Jeremy Lutito & Jessy Wilson.
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The Best Global Music Album Award was given to Kidjo last year, and the Best Dance/Electronic Album Award went to Black Coffee from South Africa. Kidjo is now a 5-time winner and 13-time Grammy nominee. She has the most wins in Global Music Category ever.
Tems is nominated under the category of Best Melodic Rap Performance, and Best Rap Song for her work in Future and Drake’s song “Wait For U.” She’s also listed under the category Album of the Year for the song “Renaissance” by Beyoncé featuring Beam, Grace Jones & Tems.
Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, stated in a media interview during his September visit to Ghana that the Grammy governing body is exploring adding an Afrobeats category to the most prestigious music awards.
The most nominations for this year’s Grammy include Beyoncé’s nine nominations, Kendrick Lamar’s eight nominations, and Adele’s and Brandi Carlile’s seven nominations each.
Written by Arakunrin Lekan for TheAfricanDream.net
Abeeb Lekan Sodiq is a Managing Editor & Writer at theafricandream.net. He is as well a Graphics Designer and also known as Arakunrin Lekan.
