Seun Kuti had a thrilling performance at the premiere ceremony of the 61st Grammy Awards, however failing to pick the award in the ‘World Music Award’ category in which he was nominated for his album, Black Times. South Africa’s Soweto Gospel Choir took the award for the album Freedom, the group’s third in the category that had the likes of Bombino from Niger, Mali’s Fatoumata Diawara and Soviet’s Yiddish Glory.
The main ceremony held at Los Angeles’ Staples Center on Sunday, February 10 with Alicia Keys as host.
The youngest son of the legendary Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, was the only Nigerian artist to perform at this year’s ceremony hosted by Shaggy where 70 categories of Grammy Awards were presented.
Seun performed alongside Malian singer/songwriter Fatoumata Diawara and Ángela Aguilar, Aida Cuevas and Natalia Lafourcade to cap off the celebrations.
This is not the first time a Kuti has been nominated as Seun’s elder brother, Femi got the nod four times in 2003, 2010, 2012 and in 2014.
Seun has led his late father’s band ‘Eqypts 80′ since he was 14.
Another Nigerian nominated in the past is King Sunny Ade, twice in 1983 and 1988.
The night however belonged to Childish Gambino, who despite being absent picked up four plaques including Song of the Year and Record of the Year.