Soweto Gospel Choir wins Grammy
Multiple award-winning South African gospel group, the Soweto Gospel Choir, won the Best World Music Album Grammy for their album Freedom at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards ceremony, at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The choir was formed in Soweto in 2002 by David Mulovhedzi and Beverly Bryer, two choir directors, to celebrate the unique and inspirational power of African Gospel music.
It consists of more than 30 members, and performed at the first of the 46664 concerts for Nelson Mandela. Last year it performed Halo alongside Beyoncé at the Global Citizen festival in Joburg.
The Best World Music Album is for albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental world music recordings. Other nominees included Nigerian musician Omara “Bombino” Moctar; Malian musician Fatoumata Diawara; and Nigerian musicians Seun Kuti and Egypt 80.
This was the Soweto Gospel Choir’s fifth nomination in this category and they have won the award three times – for Blessed in 2007, African Spirit in 2008 and now Freedom.
The award was received by album producer Diniloxolo Ndlakuse, Shimmy Jiyane, Mary Mulovhedzi; and Mulalo Mulovhedzi, whose late father was co-founder Mulovhedzi.
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 group said.
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