Africa Well Represented at Grammys

The nominations for the 2020 Grammy Awards were released yesterday, and several African artists have been recognised for their contributions to music in a number of categories.

Angélique Kidjo, Burna Boy and Trevor Noah are all up for awards at the most prestigious night in the music industry.

Both Nigerian artist Burna Boy and singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo, from Benin, have been nominated for Best World Music Album, whilst South African-born Noah is up for Best Comedy Album.

This is the first time Burna Boy has been nominated following the release of his album ‘African Giant’, which tried to “shine a light on a place and on people where and a situation and everything that there hasn’t been a light on for some time”, he said.

He’s up against Kidjo, a three-time Grammy winner, for her album Celia, which was written in tribute to the late Afro-Cuban singer Celia Cruz.

Several other African artists have also been recognised for their work with Beyoncé on her album ‘The Lion King: The Gift’, including Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade and Shatta Wale.

It’s been a successful year for African music on the world stage.

Trevor Noah sold out the famous Madison Square Garden in New York City, whilst Burna Boy became the first African to perform a sell-out show at London’s Wembley Arena.

The Grammys will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on 27th January 2020.