Nigerian Afro-fusion artist Burna Boy and Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo were nominated for the 2020 Grammy Awards after the Recording Academy announced the nominees in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
The two African musicians were nominated in the World Music category for their albums African Giant and Celia, respectively.
They will compete against Altin Gün (Gece, Netherlands), Bokanté and Metropole Orkest led by Jules Buckley (What Heat, US) and Nathalie Joachim with Spektral Quartet (Fanm D'ayiti, Haiti/US).
Burna Boy and Kidjo are the only African artists nominated in the World Music category, as opposed to the previous Grammys where four out of the five nominees hailed from Africa. The eventual winner was Ladysmith Black Mambazo for the South African a capella group's album Shaka Zulu Revisited: 30th Anniversary Celebration.
Kidjo will be gunning for her fourth Grammy after winning the coveted award in 2007, 2008 and 2015. This is her eighth nomination.
On the other hand, Burna Boy’s African Giant has enjoyed success this year and could make him a strong contestant for the award, although Bokanté, featuring previous Grammy winner Michael League of Snarky Puppy, can be seen as the favourite to clinch the award. Burna Boy also featured Kidjo on the single 'Different' off the African Giant album.
Other African nominees include Wizkid (Nigeria), Shatta Wale (Ghana), Yemi Alade (Nigeria) and Tiwa Savage (Nigeria), who were all nominated alongside Beyoncé for her The Lion King: The Gift album, which was nominated in the Best Pop Vocal Album, among others. Mr Eazi (Nigeria) was nominated for his work on J Balvin and Bad Bunny's Oasis, which got the nod in the Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album category.
Meanwhile, South Africa's Trevor Noah was nominated in the Comedy category, which boasts comedic royalty like Ellen DeGeneres, Jim Gaffigan, Aziz Ansari and Dave Chappelle.
The 62nd edition of the Grammy Awards will be hosted by Alicia Keys at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on 26 January.
Listen to Music In Africa's Top Burna Boy Songs here.
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