Zake Bantwini's song 'Bayethe' which features Nomcebo Zikode and flutist Wouter Kellerman won the Best Global Music Performance award at the 65th Annual Grammy awards in Los Angeles, California.
The song which is a mix of Maskandi, Afro-pop, and dance music was released in 2022. The three SA artists won the award over Nigeria's Burna Boy, Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo, USA’s Matt B, Ghana's Rocky Dawuni, and Pakistan's Arooj Aftab.
The 65th annual Grammy Awards were held in Los Angeles California and hosted by Trevor Noah.
The trio's win follows hot on the heels of last year’s Grammy win by DJ Black Coffee in the Best Dance Electronic Category.
Zakes Bantwini said in his acceptance speech. “...This moment right here just proves and affirms that every dream is valid. I want to thank the academy. I just want to say to every child in a ghetto or village that it is possible.”
Zikode, who looked gorgeous in a beaded dress and her famous hair cut said: “Thank you so much to God. I once gave the world a song that took the world by storm, the world that got us together. But I did not get this nomination or this award. But God was saying 'don’t worry my daughter I will give you Bayete'. Thank you so much to my mother and my husband. Your support is amazing.” She sang the internationally recognized hit song, Jerusalema, just before she gave her acceptance speech.
Wouter, who is no stranger to the Grammys received a Grammy for his album, “Winds of Samsara”, in 2014 and was nominated for Grammys in both 2015 and 2021. Beaming with pride, he walked down the stage to accept the award and said, 'Thank you so much. This is such a beautiful moment. On the road to sharing South African culture with the world, thank you Nomcebo, thank Zakes for your incredible creativity, and thanks to all the musicians that work on the album.'
In an interview with News24 ahead of the award ceremony, Zakes Bantwini had predicted their win saying, "I'm very optimistic that we're going to come back with it. I have such a very positive vibe about it. Somehow, I'm content". The musician added that he already felt like a winner.
