Hugh Masekela + Amadou & Mariam Nominated for Grammys

The Grammy Awards have nominated Hugh Masekela and Amadou and Mariam for "Best World Music."

Hugh Masekela + Amadou & Mariam Nominated for Grammys


The 55th Grammy Award nominations are out and two Okayafrica favorites, Hugh Masekela and Amadou & Mariam, got the nod for Best World Music Album. Bra Hugh is nominated for his tradional South African wedding-inspired Jabulani LP and Amadou & Mariam for their excellent album Folila.

Looking past our issues with the problematic "world music" tag —  we'll let you hear that from David Byrne — and the fact that the Grammys are notably out of touch with modern music (see: Steve Stoute), we'd like to congratulate Hugh Masekela and Amadou & Mariam for this major feat in terms of American exposure. They're joined in the category by Daniel Ho, Anoushka Shankar, and Ravi Shankar. Watch or Okayafrica TV episode with Amadou & Mariam and Hugh Masekelas music video for "Sossie" below.

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Kenyan artist Elsy Wameyo stands on a doorstep in the music video for her single “Conquer.”
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