2017 Grammy Awards: Three Africans nominated

Nigeria’s Wizkid completes the list. He is listed as featured artist and producer on Views, the 2016 album by Canadian rapper Drake. Views is up for Best Album, a category that honours an album’s main artist, featured artists, producers, mixers, and sound engineers.

Interestingly, DJ Maphorisa, who according to some online sources provided some production on the album, is missing from the list of producers mentioned on the official Grammys website.

The list of nominees was announced on 6 December. The ceremony proper will be held on 12 February next year at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The ceremony will be hosted by Carpool Karaoke host, James Corden.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s album Walking In The Footsteps Of Our Fathers was named in the Best World Music Album category. Not new to the Grammys, the group has been nominated 17 times at this event and is a four-time Grammy winner: In 1988, for Shaka Zulu; in 2004, for Raise Your Spirit Higher; in 2009, for Ilembe; and in 2013, for Singing For Peace Around The World.

Kristian Bezuidenhout was nominated in the Best Classical Instrumental Solo category. Bezuidenhout is one of today’s most successful and celebrated keyboardists. He has been nominated for a Grammy twice before.

Last year, three South African artists received nominations namely Flautist Wouter Kellerman, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and gospel singer Neville D. Other African artists who were nominated include Ethiopian-Canadian singer The Weeknd, Nigerian-American recording artist Jidenna, renowned Beninese singer and activist, Angélique Kidjo.

This year, Beyoncé leads the pack of nominees with nine nominations. Last year rapper Kendrick Lamar topped with 11 nominations.

Update: A fourth African artist Kah-Lo, from Nigeria, is nominated for her vocals on Riton's 'Rinse & Repeat,' which is up for Best Dance Recording. Listen to it below.