Grammys 2023: Ricky Kej wins a third Grammy Award and pays tribute to India

Bengaluru-based music composer Ricky Kej has won his third Grammy Award for the album ‘Divine Tides’ and dedicated the honor to his home country of India.

The US-born musician shared the award with Stewart Copeland, drummer of iconic British rock band The Police, who collaborated with Kej on the album.

At the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, the duo took home the gramophone trophy in the Best Immersive Audio Album category. They had already won a Grammy in the category of best new age album for the same album last year.

“Congratulations to the winner of Best Immersive Audio Album – ‘Divine Tides’ Eric Schilling, Immersive Mixing Engineer; @copelandmusic, @rickykej & Herbert Waltl, Immersive Producers (Stewart Copeland & Ricky Kej) #GRAMMYs,” the Recording Academy, the organization behind the Grammy Awards, announced on its official Twitter page Sunday night.

Kej said he was “grateful” for the recognition.

“Just won my 3rd Grammy Award. Extremely grateful, I am speechless! I dedicate this award to India. @copelandmusic. Herbert Waltl Eric Schilling Vanil Veigas Lonnie Park,” the composer captioned a series of photos on his Twitter.

The other nominees in the category were: Christina Aguilera (Aguilera), The Chainsmokers (Memories… Do Not Open), Jane Ira Bloom (Picture The Invisible: Focus 1) and Nidarosdomens Jentekor & Trondeheimsolistene (Tuvahyun – Beatitudes for a Wounded World).

“Divine Tides” is a nine-song album that aims to convey the message that “each individual life plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance that serves all equally.”

Kej won his first Grammy for Best New Age Album for “Winds of Samsara” in 2015.

As part of her work with The Police, Copeland has won five Grammys. With Kej as a collaborator, this is his second award.