By Abiola Olawale
Many Nigerian music adherents have been thrown into confusion following the heated debate and controversy surrounding the purported Grammy recognition of the trio of Nigerian songwriters and musicians: Tiwa Savage, Made Kuti and Femi Kuti.
The Viral Claim:
Reports making the rounds in the Nigerian media space had suggested that Tiwa Savage, Femi Kuti and his son, Made bagged an award at the 63rd Grammy Awards held on Sunday, 14 March, 2021 for their contribution to the Coldplay’s ‘Everyday Life’ album.
There have also been counter-reports that indicated the trio didn’t get any Grammy recognition as they failed to meet the requisite benchmark set by Grammy organizers for co-perfomers in the category they aimed at.
However, it is no more news that Coldplay’s album, ‘Everyday Life’ was nominated for album of the Year and the Best Recording Package categories at the 63rd Grammy Awards.
What To Know About Coldplay:
The New Diplomat understands that Coldplay is a British rock band formed in London, in 1996. The band consists of Chris Martin, who is the vocalist and pianist; Jonny Buckland, the lead guitarist; Guy Berryman, the bassist; Will Champion, the drummer; and Phil Harvey, the creative director.
What Checks Revealed
The Coldplay band featured Tiwa Savage and the Kutis in their ‘Everyday Life’ ablum released on November 22, 2019.
The New Diplomat‘s checks revealed that Tiwa Savage featured in ‘Eko’, a track of the ‘Everday Life’ ablum, as a backing vocal, contrary to the reports claiming that she was part of the songwriters for the track. Further checks revealed that the track was solely written by the band members of the Coldplay.
Meanwhile, veteran Femi Kuti was a co-writer of the ‘Arabesque’ track he featured in.
Viral reports had indicated that Coldplay won the Best Recording Package Category of the 63rd Grammy Awards.
However, The New Diplomat‘s checks revealed that ‘Everyday Life’ album which was nominated for the Best Recording Package did not win the award.
According to the full list of the award winners made available on the official website of the Grammy Awards –www.grammy.com– ‘Vols. 11 &12’, an album by Cunningham and Jason Noto won the award for the Best Recording Package Category.
Similarly, Taylor Swift won the album of the year with her ‘Folklore’ album, beating the Coldplay.
The Mix-up:
The elated mood of many Nigerians following the wins by Burna Boy and Wizkid at the 63rd Grammy Awards may not be unconnected to the confusion and mix up regarding the winner of the ‘Best Record Package’ category of the 63rd Grammy Awards. After all, the trio of Tiwa Savage, Made and Femi Kuti often enjoy huge solidarity among Nigerian music fans who were rooting for their own ahead of the ecstatic Grammy Awards night, last Sunday.
Conclusion:
Tiwa Savage and the Kutis did not win the Grammy or recognition as the ‘Everyday Life’ album which they featured in was not declared as the winner of any categories at the 63rd Grammys held in Los Angeles, U.S.
