By Kehinde Ayanboade
Seun Kuti, an afrobeat singer and son of the late legend, Fela Anikulapo, a pioneer of the musical genre, has been listed as one of the performers at the 61st Grammy Awards.
Kuti, who, along with his band, Egypt 80, is a nominee for Best World Music Album for their album ‘Black Times,’ will perform with Malian singer/songwriter, Fatoumata Diawara, at the award’s Premiere Ceremony on February 10, where awards would be given out in more than 70 categories.
A statement on the Grammy website, published on Thursday, said, “The 61st Grammy Awards will start off with sizzle as the lineup for the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony has been revealed, led by Mr. Boombastic himself, Grammy winner and current nominee Shaggy as host.
“The prelude to music’s biggest night will also feature performances by current nominated singer/songwriter Snatam Kaur, trumpeter Craig Morris and dance duo Sofi Tukker.
“Nigerian Afrobeat artist Seun Kuti and Malian singer/songwriter Fatoumata Diawara will also perform together, and Ángela Aguilar, Aida Cuevas and Natalia Lafourcade will unite for the first time ever to perform “La Llorona,” a Mexican folkloric classic all three artists have recorded during their career.”
The Grammys noted that the award ceremony would be streamed live internationally on its website from 12:30 pm (Pacific Time).
It added, “All of the premiere ceremony performers and the host are nominated this year, as are most of the presenters. Kuti & Egypt 80 are nominated for Best World Music Album for ‘Black Times.’”
