Three South African musicians walked away with a Grammy award on Sunday evening.
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Zakes Bantwini, Nomcebo Zikode and Wouter Kellerman, ensured that the country’s voices were heard in Los Angeles’ Crypto.Com Arena when their hit, “Bayethe”, scooped the award for Best Global Music Performance.
Competing against the likes of Burna Boy, Matt B, Aroof Aftab, Anoushka Shankar and Rocky Dawuni, the trio was full of smiles upon the announcement at the 65th annual ceremony.
“Thank you so much. This is such a beautiful moment, said Kellerman in his acceptance speech. “On the road to sharing South African culture with the world, thank you Nomcebo and Zakes for your incredible creativity and thanks to all the musicians that work on the album.”
We won the Grammy for the Best Global Music Performance for our song ‘Bayethe’ Thank so much to everybody for all the support – this is for the whole of South Africa! Awesomeness @ZakesBantwiniSA @Nomcebozikode #africatotheworld #grammy #grammy2023 pic.twitter.com/qK31QPBHCl
— Wouter Kellerman (@wouterkellerman) February 5, 2023
“Collaborations like these bring out the best in all of the music traditions that bring so much richness to global music. It’s an amazing adventure to be part of something so special.”
In 2014, Kellerman received a Grammy for his album, “Winds of Samsara” and was nominated in both 2015 and 2021.
“I just want to say we come from Africa, South Africa, and this moment here, to everybody who is in Africa, just proves and affirms that every dream is valid,” added Bantwini. “For every child in the ghetto, in the village, just know that it’s possible.”
WE WON THE GRAMMY! Congrats @wouterkellerman @ZakesBantwiniSA @Nomcebozikode Best Global Music Performance- Courtesy Jen Su reporting via CBS | GRAMMYs for Entertainment News #GRAMMYs #Grammy #SouthAfrica #wouterkellerman #zakesbantwini #nomcebozikode pic.twitter.com/Q3wBsf9ys4
— Jennifer Su (Jen Su) (@jennifer_su) February 5, 2023
The singer and co-writer of the global hit, “Jerusalema”, Zikode also struggled to contain her excitement.
“Thank you so much to God. I once gave the world a song that took the world by storm, but I didn’t get this nomination or this award, but God was saying to me don’t worry, my daughter, I will give you ‘Bayethe’,” she said in her acceptance speech.
“Thank you so much to my mom. Thank you so much to my husband, Selwyn Fraser, believe me, this is yours. Your support is amazing.”
Look at God!!! From Hammarsdale to the world! ?
I never imagined that God would take me to such heights and platforms!
I want to give a special shoutout to my fans ???@wouterkellerman, @tholsi_pillay, @zakesbantwini @sibo_the_zulu @fraserselwyn ? @gertjohan #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/gFPSArX49B
— Nomcebo Zikode (@Nomcebozikode) February 5, 2023
“This is a career highlight for all of us, and it just goes to show that South African talent can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with talent from all around the world,” she added.
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Pictrue: @wouterkellerman / Twitter