Soweto Gospel Choir Wins Grammy

SA Pride snatches Grammy!

Multiple award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir scooped up the Best World Music Album trophy for their album Freedom, at the 61st Grammy Awards, held at a glittering event in Los Angeles on Sunday, 10 February 2019. This was the group`s fifth nomination in this category and they have now won the prestigious award, a total of three times. Receiving the award on behalf of Soweto Gospel Choir, were album producer Diniloxolo Ndlakuse, with Shimmy Jiyane, Mary Mulovhedzi and Mulalo Mulovhedzi, whose late father David Mulovhedzi co-founded the group with Producer/Director Beverly Bryer, 17 years ago.

Of course Soweto Gospel Choir are no strangers to international and African accolades and awards, having previously won an Emmy Award for their collaboration with global pop icons U2, as part of ESPN’s 2010 FIFA World Cup coverage – they tied with Rihanna and Jay-Z’s Superbowl performance – as well as four South African Music Awards and a Metro FM Music Award, among others. The group was also nominated for an Oscar for their collaboration with Peter Gabriel on the theme song for the film, Wall-E.

The Grammy Award winning album 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 album was released in the United States where the group have just completed a highly successful three-month long tour. Further tours are planned for 2019, including an Australasian tour scheduled for July through September, and locally, a performance at this year’s Cape Town Jazz Festival in March.