The 2023 Grammy Awards are over!
On Sunday, the 65th Grammy Awards of 2023 was held. The show began with a Grammy Premiere Ceremony at 3:30 p.m. ET in Downtown, Los Angeles.
Nomcebo Zikode, Zakes Bantwini, and Wouter Kellerman came out as the tops at the 65th Grammy Awards representing Africa. They together won the Grammy Award for best global music performance for their song, Bayethe.
The three African artists thanked everyone for making them win that prestigious award. They claimed it was their privilege to represent their nation in such a global ceremony.
These three had won the award overcoming stiff competition from Nigeria’s Burna Boy.
Zikode, Bantwini, and Kellerman are three well-known African musical artists who influenced the nation with their incredible talent.
Do you want to know more about these African artists who won the 2023 Grammy Awards? If yes, keep on reading this article to dive deeper into the personal and professional life of the three.
Nomcebo Zikode
Nomcebo Zikode is a South African musical artist born in Hammarsdale. She has been present in the African music industry since 2005. For years since 2005, she worked as a backing singer.
Zikode – Early Life And Education
Zikode was born in 1985 at Hammarsdale, a town in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The 38-year-old musical artist studied at the Ukusa High School and pursued her bachelor’s in Information technology from Havatech College.
Zikode is married to Selwyn Fraser, the son of Deborah Fraser.
Zikode – Musical Career
In 2005, when Zikode was 20 years old she moved from her home to pursue her dream career in music. She began as a backing singer in the early days for about 15 years.
She was later signed with Ganyani Entertainment and she contributed vocals to songs including NTO, Jabulile, and Emazulwini, which was nominated for Record of the Year at the SAMA Awards.
After working with Master KG on his 2019 hit single Jerusalema, which was later remixed by Burna Boy and debuted at the first position on the Billboard Music charts. She acquired a record deal with Open Mic Productions and rose to fame internationally.
Her single, Xola Moya Wam was released as an album’s lead song on August 14, 2020, which featured Master KG. Later, her debut studio album, Xola Moya Wam was released in August 2020.
Zikode later signed a global record deal with Sony Music. In 2021, she appeared on the screen as a guest on the Love and Hip Hop franchise.
Zikode – Best Albums
Nomcebo Zikode is an upcoming star in the African music industry. Even though she has been present in the music industry since 2015, she got nationwide attention in 2020 after the release of her single album.
Here’s a list of a few of Zikode’s songs.
- Xola Moya Wam (2020)
- Emazulwini (2019)
- Jerusalema (2020)
- Bayethe (2022)
Zikode – Awards And Achievements
- 1st KZNEA for Best Female Artist in 2020.
- Grammy Awards for Best Global Performance in 2022.
- Nominated for the 27th SAMAs in three different categories in 2021.
Zakes Bantwini
Zakhele Madida, popularly known as Zakes Bantwini, is an African singer, record producer, and businessman. He has been present in the African music industry since 2004.
Bantwini – Early Life And Education
Zakes Bantwini was born in 1980. He was born and brought up in KwaMashu, a part of the South African province KwaZuku-Natal.
He attended Nqabakazulu High School after finishing his primary education at Shayamoya Junior Primary School. At the age of 14, he became a father. Despite the difficulties of being a young father, he continued his studies. He earned his diploma in light music from the Durban University of Technology.
During the final year of his diploma, he founded his record label, Mayonie Productions. Besides a diploma in light music, he graduated with a diploma in Jazz and music and also has a certificate in social entrepreneurship.
Bantwini – Musical Career
Zakes Bantwini released his single Clap Your Hands on April 11, 2011. In 2013, Batwini released his debut studio album The Fake Book and Real Book: My Music Bible. Bantwini remixed Modern Loneliness, a single of Lauv in 2020.
In 2021, he released his song Osama, which became number one on Radio Monitor Charts. He released his third studio album Chetto King in December 2021.
In November 2022, he released Abantu, his next studio album. Last year witnessed the release of Bayethe, a song he sang along with Zikode and Kellerman.
Bantwini – Best Albums
Even though Bantwini has been present in the music industry since 2004, he gained nationwide attention after 2008. A few of the Albums of African rising star is given below:
- The Good Life (2008)
- Love, Light, and Music (2010)
- Mountain Deluxe (2010
- The Fake Book and Real Book: My Music Bible (2013)
- Bossa Paris Night (2018)
- Ghetto King (2021)
Bantwini- Awards And Achievements
- Metro FM Awards for Best Male Award in 2011
- Channel O Awards for video of the Year in 2011
- 2022 SAMA Awards for Best Collaboration.
- 2022 Grammy Awards for Best Global Performance.
Also Read:- Samara Joy: Best New Artist 2023 Grammy Winner A Rising Star
Wouter Kellerman
Wouter Kellerman is a South African Grammy Winning flutist, producer, and composer. He was the winner of the Annual Grammy awards in 2014.
Kellerman – Early Life and Education
Kellerman is one of the most successful composers in South Africa. He was born on September 20, 1961. The 63-year-old musician is quite known as the richest composer in South Africa.
Apart from being a musician, he is a well-known philanthropist in the music industry. He has been doing charity work and sponsorships for the underprivileged children of Africa. He serves as the ambassador of Project Peace on Earth.
The information regarding Kellerman’s family and education is mostly unknown.
Kellerman – Musical Career
Wouter Kellerman won his first Grammy Award for Best New Age Album in 2015. In Winds of Samara, Kellerman and Ricky Kej combined Indian music with his meditative flute.
Kellerman began playing flutes at the age of 10 and went on to become one of Africa’s most prominent young musicians. He acquired the skills to incorporate international sounds into his improvisational approach while studying overseas.
His debut album, Colour, was released in 2008 and featured his signature flute and songs that influenced people internationally. Songs from that debut appeared in the Half Moon collection from 2012.
Later, some brand new songs were added to it, most notably honoring Nelson Mandela and a sparse rendition of the game of Thrones theme song. In 2013, he released his next album Mzansi.
The albums released by Kellerman made him a well-known performer globally. In 2015, he followed up with an album Love Language.
Kellerman – Best Albums
- Colour (2007)
- Half Moon (2012)
- Mzansi (2013)
- Winds of Samsara (2014)
- Love Language (2015)
- In A Different Light (2019)
- We’ve Known All Times (2020)
- Pangaea (2021)
- Bayethe (2022)
Kellerman – Awards And Achievements
- SAMA Award for Best Instrumental Album in 2011
- Vox Pop IMA for Best World Beat Album in 2013
- Grammy Awards for Best New Age Album in 2014
- SAMA Awards for Best Instrumental Album, Best Producer of the Year, and Best International Achievement in 2015.
- 2015 ZMR Award for Best World Album and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.
- 2016 SAMA for Best Instrumental Album
- SAMA for Best Adult Contemporary Album in 2018.
- HMMA for Independent Music Video in 2019.
- 2021 SAMA Award for Best Classical/Instrumental Album.
- 65th Grammy Awards for Best Global Performance in 2022.
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