By Prince Azeel
As the world wakes up to Africa’s phenomenal music explosion, some of the continent’s biggest names are being recognised.
The Recording Academy has nominated some of the finest names in African music for awards.
The pan-African representation sees Nigerian music heavyweight Burna Boy, iconic Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo and South African trio Nomcebo Zikode, Wouter Kellerman and Zakes Bantwini vying for honours in various categories.
Others are Ugandan superstar Eddy Kenzo, Ghana’s Rocky Dawuni and fast-rising Nigerian singer Tems.
Burna Boy, Angelique Kidjo, Wouter Kellerman, Zakes Bantwini, Nomcebo Zikode and Eddy Kenzo will contend in the highly coveted Best Global Music Album category.
Angélique Kidjo, who has been nominated 12 times, also gets a nod in the Best Song Written for Visual Media category.
One of this year’s most impressive representations from Africa is Nigerian singer Tems (born Temilade Openiyi), who made it into several categories.
She was recognised for writing on Beyonce’s Renaissance album and for American rapper Future’s hit record titled Wait For U, featuring multiple award-winning rapper Drake.
Wait For U was nominated in the Best Rap Song and Best Melodic Rap Performance categories. The track is off Future’s ninth studio album titled I Never Liked You, released in 2022.
Winners will be announced on Sunday February 5 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
