ZAKES Bantwini has promised to be a big brother to all Mzansi artists nominated for the Grammy Awards.
The Osama hitmaker hosted a celebration for amapiano star Musa Keys and a cappella group Just 6, who were honoured for their nominations at the awards. The event took place in Sandton, north of Joburg on Tuesday, 23 January.
Zakes, who won a Grammy in 2023 for a song he recorded with Wouter Kellerman and Nomcebo Zikode, said he'll guide all the musicians nominated for the prestigious awards.
Musa Keys is nominated in the Best African Music Performance category for his song Unavailable with Davido, while Just 6 is nominated in the Best Arrangement, Instrumental, or Acapella category.
Speaking about the celebrations, Zakes said he promises to host such celebrations every year.
"This is not about me. It's about all the great musicians nominated at the 66th Grammy Awards, which are happening next week. We’re celebrating Musa Keys, Just 6, Tyla and Trevor Noah. We're doing really well and better than any other African country when it comes to this music thing. We want to help every African musician break through.
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"We'll meet here every year because we believe that there will always be an African or South African nominated at the Grammys. So, we will definitely be here next year, and I want to encourage every artist and musician to aim high," he said.
Musa Keys said that he had worked hard and that's why he had been nominated.
"I've always been a student of my own craft. I’m constantly learning and trying to navigate better. Over the years, I've spent so much time learning and reconstructing myself to make sure I’m not just another amapiano artist, and people can attest to that.
"A Grammy is something I've been manifesting for a long time. If you remember interviews I gave years ago, you’ll hear me say that I am going to win a Grammy one day," he said.
This is the second nomination for Just 6.
"People are like, who are these guys? We are Just 6, we’re an acapella group that’s been together for over a decade. Crazy things have happened. Our journey to the Grammys started in 2023. We were nominated in the same category we’re nominated in this year.
"This year is our second nomination and this time it's special because we’re nominated for our own song that was produced on this soil by the children of this soil. So, this is a very proud moment for us, and we feel honoured," she said.
The award ceremony will take place on Sunday, 4 February in Los Angeles, USA.
