Seun Kuti loses Best World Music Grammy Award to South Africa’s Soweto Gospel Choir

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Seun Kuti, son of Afrobeat legend, Fela Kuti, has lost out in his bid to bring home the Grammy awards losing out to South Africa’s Soweto Gospel Choir.

Multiple award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir scooped up the Best World Music Album trophy for their album “Freedom” at the 61st Grammy Awards, held at a glittering event in Los Angeles last night, Sunday February 10th 2019.

Information has it that this was the group`s fifth nomination in this category and they have now won the prestigious award a total of three times.

Receiving the award on behalf of Soweto Gospel Choir were album producer Diniloxolo Ndlakuse Shimmy Jiyane, Mary Mulovhedzi and Mulalo Mulovhedzi whose late father David Mulovhedzi co-founded the group with Producer/Director Beverly Bryer 17 years ago.

It was gathered that Soweto Gospel Choir are no strangers to international and African accolades and awards, having previously won an EMMY for their collaboration with global pop icons U2 as part of ESPN’s 2010 FIFA World Cup coverage, (tied with Rihanna and Jay-Z’s Superbowl performance), as well as four South African Music Awards among others.

The group was also nominated for an Oscar for their collaboration with Peter Gabriel on the theme song for the film “Wall-E”.

The Grammy Award-winning album “Freedom” was recorded in June 2018 as part of the group`s tribute to the 100 Years of Mandela celebrations. It features a selection of South African struggle songs including their scintillating version of Johnny Clegg`s poignant “Asimbonanga”. The album was released in the United States where the group has just completed a highly successful three-month long tour.

One will recall that Seun Kuti was nominated for his 2018 released album, ”Black Times”.

Seun, son of the Legendary Fela Anikulapo Kuti was hoping to make it a lucky five time at the awards for the Kuti family following in the steps of his older brother Femi Kuti, who has been nominated on four occasions but failed to win any.

Femi was nominated in 2003, 2010, 2012 and in 2014 for his album ‘No Place For My Dream’.