adminZIMBABWEAN-BORN producer Brian Soko took top honours when the smash hit Drunk in love he produced for Beyoncé won a Grammy for Best R&B song.
A thrilled Soko took to Twitter to upload an image of himself and associates all touching the coveted golden horn at Sunday night’s Grammy Awards which took place in Los Angeles, USA.
Soko, who is now based in the US, also worked with rap artiste Cassper Nyovest on his hit, Phumakim’ as well as on K.O’s Mission Statement and DJ Vigilante’s Sgelekeqe featuring Ma-E, PRO, Maggz.
According to africa’s country.com, Soko fell in love with hip hop when his older brother, Prince introduced him to it. His father, who was a banker relocated the family to America after a short stay in South Africa. Soko studied sound engineering at a college in Florida.
He met his associates and the four formed The Order who have since produced music for Lil Wayne, Drake, Future and Rich Gang.
South African flute player, Wouter Kellerman won the Grammy for Best New Age album. The musician recorded the winning album, Winds of Samsara with Indian composer Ricky Kej, which was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.
British soul singer Sam Smith scooped four Grammy awards including the prestigious prizes for Record and Song of the Year and best new artiste.
Smith was rewarded for being the only solo artiste to sell more than a million albums in both the UK and US last year.
Pharrell Williams, Beyonce and Rosanne Cash, daughter of country legend Johnny, won three awards each. Madonna, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Kanye West and Sir Paul McCartney were among those who performed at the ceremony. Madonna was joined by half-naked male dancers wearing glittering masks and horns to perform Living For Love, from her new album Rebel Heart. There were also duets between Jessie J and Sir Tom Jones; Hozier and Annie Lennox; and Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett.
But the night belonged to Sam Smith, who has cemented his place as one of pop’s biggest stars – just nine months after the release of his debut album In the Lonely Hour. His ballad Stay With Me won both Song of theYear and Record of the Year — the former recognises the songwriters, while the latter goes to the performer and producer.
Accepting the record of the year trophy, Smith said: “I want to thank the man who this record is about, who I fell in love with last year.
“Thank you so much for breaking my heart because you got me four Grammys.”
Smith also performed the song on stage with Mary J Blige; while his other awards were Best New Artiste and Best Pop Vocal album. He lost out on the best album award to long-serving indie troubadour Beck, who was honoured for his twelfth studio LP, Morning Phase. It also won Best Rock Album.
Pharrell’s Girl won best urban contemporary album, while Happy won Best Music Video and best pop solo performance. He performed that hit on the night with pianist Lang Lang and composer Hans Zimmer.
Drunk In Love, Beyonce’s collaboration with her husband Jay-Z, was named best R&B performance and best R&B song. Beyonce also won best surround sound album.
Ed Sheeran, who had three nominations, went home empty-handed, but joined ELO’s Jeff Lynne on stage to perform at the ceremony. The ceremony departed from pure entertainment for a segment in which US President Barack Obama sent a recorded video message in support of a campaign against domestic violence. An abuse victim from Texas then delivered a poignant message about her own experiences. —BBC/ TimesLive.
Online Reporter