Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo and South African DJ Black Coffee have won awards at this year’s Grammys.
Kidjo won the best world music album of the year for her Mother Nature album. It featured Nigerian musicians Burna Boy, Yemi Alade and Mr Eazi.
The 61-year-old singer beat Nigerians Wizkid, Femi Kuti and Ghanaian Rocky Dawuni for the award. This was her fifth Grammy win.
In her acceptance speech, she paid tribute to Africa’s new generation of artists who she said would take the world by storm.
South Africa’s Black Coffee won the best dance/electronic music album. He won the award for his Subconsciously album.
It was his first ever Grammy award.
He accepted the award alongside his eldest son, Esona.
“I want to thank God for the gift of music and being able to share it with the world and heal souls and help people go through whatever they’re going through in life,” he said.
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Algerian president pardons 1,000 convicts
BBC World Service
Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has pardoned more than 1,000 prisoners to coincide with the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement his office said an additional 70 protesters from the pro-democracy Hirak movement – who are awaiting trial for public order offences – would be offered clemency.
Among those released was a rights campaigner, Zaki Hannache, who was arrested in February for allegedly promoting terrorist acts and spreading false news.
The Hirak protests rocked major cities in Algeria starting in early 2019, forcing long-time president Abdelaziz Bouteflika to step down months later.
Protests continued even after Mr Tebboune came to power. He was rejected by the Hirak who regarded him as an extension of the old political system.
Source: BBC
