Music composer Ricky Kej, based out of Bengaluru, has won his third Grammy Award for the album ‘Divine Tides’. The US-born musician shared the award with Stewart Copeland, the drummer of the iconic British rock band The Police, who collaborated with Kej on the album. At the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, the duo earned the gramophone trophy in the best immersive audio album winner category.
They had won a Grammy in the best new age album category for the same album last year. “Congrats Best Immersive Audio Album winner – ‘Divine Tides’ Eric Schilling, immersive mix engineer; @copelandmusic, @rickykej & Herbert Waltl, immersive producers (Stewart Copeland & Ricky Kej) #GRAMMYs,” announced the Recording Academy, the organisation behind Grammy Awards, on its official Twitter page.
Other nominees in the category were: Christina Aguilera (‘Aguilera’), The Chainsmokers (‘Memories… Do Not Open), Jane Irabloom (‘Picturing The Invisible- Focus 1), and Nidarosdomens Jentekor & Trondeheimsolistene (‘Tuvahyun – Beatitudes for a Wounded World’).
‘Divine Tides’ is a nine-song album that aims to deliver the message that “each individual life plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance that serves all equally”. Kej took home his first Grammy in the best new age album category for ‘Winds of Samsara’ back in 2015.
As part of his work with The Police, Copeland has won five Grammys. With Kej as collaborator, this is his second award. Former One Direction member Harry Styles took home the Best Pop Vocal Album title for his studio album ‘Harry’s House’ at the 65th annual Grammy Awards.
He edged out ‘Voyage’ by ABBA, ’30’ by Adele, ‘Music of the Spheres’ by Coldplay and ‘Special’ by Lizzo to bag the honour. Styles described making ‘Harry’s House’ with two of his best friends as “the greatest experience of my life” and playing it for people “the greatest joy I could’ve asked for”.
This year, he was nominated in six categories; in addition to Best Pop Vocal Album, he received recognition for Album of the Year (‘Harry’s House’), Record of the Year (‘As It Was’), Song of the Year (‘As It Was’), Best Pop Solo Performance (‘As It Was’), and Best Music Video (‘As It Was’).
‘Harry’s House’ also won for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical. The 65th annual Grammy Awards, which recognises the best recordings, compositions, and artists of the eligibility year, running from October 1, 2021, to September 30, 2022, are being held at the Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles.
