Grammy Nods for Two Ethiopian Artists

Two US based Ethiopian-born musicians are among the 2009 Grammy Award nominees. Wayna (born Wayna Wondwossen, featured on AfricanLoft, April 20, 2008), and Kenna (born Kenna Zemedkun) are both nominated for the Best Urban/Alternative Performance category.

Wayna’s remake tune, Lovin U (featuring Kokayi, watch a live performance of the song ») highlights the ups and downs of the music business through the eyes of an independent recording artist. The song got the nomination for Category 27 on the Grammy List.

For Kenna, his nomination came via “Say Goodbye to Love” — a very-retro, funkified video performance, Watch video »
Wayna attributes her Grammy nomination to the combined power of new media outlets like iTunes and CDBaby.com: “As an independent recording artist, its hard to get enough publicity without the backing of a major record label. The bulk of my records have been sold at shows and on-line through iTunes and CDBaby.”

Her life in Washington DC exposed her to the problems facing immigrant communities. In her song “Home” from the album Higher Ground, Wayna includes a verse about a woman who left home “and a sense of belonging” for the prospect of better economic opportunity.

“So many Ethiopians deeply miss and love their homeland. No matter how acclaimated they’ve become abroad, they feel an aching for that place where they’re completely understood, without effort or explaination. The song, “Home,” is a testament to them and to that longing, which is something I think any person or culture can relate to.”

Kenna is the eldest son of an immigrant family grew up in Cincinnati, and Virginia Beach, according to his entry on Wikipedia. Kenna began to express an interest in music upon receiving a copy of U2’s The Joshua Tree. The way he was discovered and the obstacles he faced to land a record deal are briefly discussed in Malcolm Gladwell’s 2005 book Blink. He attended the same Virginia Beach high school as Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams of N*E*R*D and the Neptunes.

The nomination is a first for the Grammy Awards, no time had two Ethiopian Americans nominated under the same category. “I am thrilled that Kenna and I are nominated in the same year” Wayna stated. “I hope it sends a message to young Ethiopians that there is no goal beyond our reach.”