Nhlanhla Nciza and Theo Kgosinkwe of Mafikilizolo. Picture: Gallo Images / City Press / Lucky Nxumalo
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South Africa’s most-loved music duo and 2014 BET Awards Best International Act: Africa nominees Mafikizolo’s work will be on display at the Grammy Museum on Friday. The Grammy Museum and Black Entertainment Television (BET) are to unveil the brand new exhibit, Sounds of Africa, that showcases and celebrates the unique diversity of African music, spotlighting winners and nominees of both the Grammy Awards and the BET Awards.
Located on the third floor of the Grammy Museum, the display will be an extension of the 16th annual BET Awards and the 2016 BET Experience in Los Angeles, DStv has announced.
Commenting on the new exhibit, BET Africa’s Monde Twala said: “It’s fantastic to see the influence of African artists and music amplified in this unique exhibition in this iconic setting. We are excited about working with the Grammy Museum to create this fascinating tribute to legendary, traditional and contemporary African musicians.”
Mafikizolo’s Nhlanhla Nciza took to Instagram to share the good news. She wrote: “All we can do is praise His holy name, who ever thought our name will be mentioned alongside the Grammys. Eternally humbled.”
The exhibit will feature handwritten lyrics, costumes and rare instruments from a wide range of artists including: Nigerian hip-hop artist and actor Ice Prince (winner, 2013 BET Awards Best International Act: Africa), Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo (Benin), Nigerian singer/songwriter and producer 2Face Idibia, Singer/songwriter Salif Keita (Mali), Nigerian singer/songwriter Sir Victor Uwaifo, Congolese rumba singer/songwriter and bandleader Tabu Ley Rochereau, and Nigerian visual artist Laolu Senbanjo, to name a few.
Mzansi is definitely being put on the map by our very own talented artists. Joining Mafikizolo is Emtee, who has been nominated for Viewers’ Choice Best New International Act category, going against Tkay from Australia, MHD from France, Falz from Nigeria, Section Boyz from South London and WSTRN from West London.
DJ Black Coffee, who swept four Sama awards for Best Dance Album, Best Engineered Album and Album of the Year for Pieces Of Me, as well as the International Achievement Award, has also been nominated alongside Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and Cassper Nyovest in the BET Awards’ Best International Act: Africa Awards category. Congratulations to our stars, keep rising!
Tune in to the 2016 BET Awards on June 28 to see who will take home the award.