There’s little doubt that Zakes Bantwini is in his moment. Not only has the veteran dance DJ and producer been enjoying a career year off the back of his two mammoth hit singles, “Osama” and “Imali”, he’s also successfully launched his new company, Independent Media Group Africa (IMG Africa), with business partner and manager Sibo Mhlungu.
Now, in the ultimate culmination of this success, Bantwini recently earned his first Grammy Award nomination for “Bayethe”, his magnetic collaboration with Wouter Kellerman and Nomcebo Zikode.
“I was having a lunch meeting with Sibo when he got the news that we’d been nominated for a Grammy,” he recalls.
“I couldn’t believe it. It was just such a beautiful moment that we’ll never forget. We put the meeting on hold and immediately called for some champagne to celebrate.”
Looking back at the process behind making the song, Bantwini recalls how they set out to make a song that was worthy of Grammy consideration.
“When we met up with Wouter and his manager, Tholsi, at Marble a few months ago, we specifically intended to create a song that could potentially win a Grammy.
“We were very intentional about that. By God’s grace it all just came together so beautifully. I’m so happy and proud that we were able to manifest such a special moment.”
