SOUTH Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa has led the nation in singing praises of DJ Black Coffee – real name Nathi Maphumulo – who has won his first Grammy Award.
Black Coffee won the Grammy – the ultimate prize in music – in the dance/electronic category for his album titled “Subconsciously”
Ramaphosa said: “Congratulations to Black Coffee for being awarded the Best Dance/Electronic Music award for his album ‘Subconsciously’ at last night’s #GRAMMYs. Thank you for flying the flag and inspiring a new generation of talent to take over the world.”
In his acceptance speech, Black Coffee said: “I want to thank God for the gift of music and being able to share it with the world and heal some souls.”
Black Coffee also celebrated his achievement with a simple message on his Twitter timeline: “Grammy Award-winning artist”.
Multi-genre artist Jon Batiste won album of the year and R&B duo Silk Sonic took two of the top honors at a Grammy awards ceremony that featured a surprise appeal for support from wartime President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine.
Batiste, who leads the band on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” landed five awards overall, including the night’s biggest prize for “We Are,” a jazz album inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement.
“I believe this to my core – there is no best musician, best artist, best dancer, best actor. The creative arts are subjective,” Batiste said. “I just put my head down and I work on the craft every day.”
Batiste’s other wins included best music video for “Freedom,” a vibrantly colored tribute to New Orleans, and an award for composing and arranging of songs for animated Pixar movie “Soul.”
Silk Sonic, featuring Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, claimed the song and record of the year awards for their 1970s inspired hit “Leave the Door Open.” The pair rose from their seats and danced slowly before making their way to the stage.
“We are really trying our hardest to remain humble at this point,” joked Paak as the pair accepted the second honor.
Olivia Rodrigo, the 19-year-old singer of heartbreak ballad “drivers license” on her album “Sour,” scored three awards, including best new artist.
“This is my biggest dream come true. Thank you so much!” Rodrigo said as she held her trophy.
Midway through the ceremony, host Trevor Noah introduced a video message from Zelenskiy, who contrasted the joy found through music to the devastation caused by Russia’s invasion of his country more than a month ago.
“What is more opposite to music? The silence of ruined cities and killed people,” Zelenskiy, wearing a green t-shirt, said in a hoarse voice. – African Mirror Reporter and Thomson Reuters Foundation.
