Zakes Bantwini and Nomcebo Zikode took the baton from Black Coffee and returned home with a trophy at the 2023 Grammys.
Zakes Bantwini, Nomcebo Zikode react to 2023 Grammys win
Following a successful year for South African music at the 2022 Grammys, Bantwini, Zikode and Wouter Kellerman kept the trend alive as winners of the Best Global Music Performance category.
Bantwini, Kellerman and Zikode’s Bayethe snubbed Burna Boy‘s Last Last, a global smash hit whose fans will feel its artist was robbed.
Speaking on their collaboration in the Grammys winners’ room, Bantwini reflected on how the trio met.
“We met with Wouter, chatting about this, at the South African Music Awards, so we met at the awards in South Africa, talking about this particular moment, and today, we are at the Grammys, come on!” he said.
While the Grammys accolade was a first for Bantwini and Zikode, Kellerman is no stranger to the global stage. The South African flautist, composer and producer won Best New Age Album at the 2014 Grammys with his project, Winds of Samsara.
He’s also been nominated in the latter category in 2022, and for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album in 2015 with his Love Language record.
Bantwini and Zikode now occupy the 12th and 13th position, respectively, in a prestigious list of South Africa’s Grammy alumni, which includes:
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Soweto Gospel Choir
- Miriam Makeba
- Lebo M
- Wouter Kellerman
- Robert “Mutt” Lange
- Phil Ramone
- Dave Matthews
- Eddie Kramer
- Trevor Rabin
- Black Coffee
Here’s how social media reacted to Zakes Bantwini and Nomcebo Zikode’s first Grammy win.