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Kenyan star Kato Change lands two major Latin Grammy nominations
Self-taught guitarist Kato Change on stage during the Safaricom Jazz Lounge at the Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi, on October 18, 2018. PHOTO | FRANCIS NDERITU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Kenyan guitarist, instrumentalist and producer Kato Change has earned two nominations at the 2025 Latin Grammys, which are set to take place next month.
Last weekend, he opened for smooth jazz legend Kenny G at Stanbic's One Night Only concert in Nairobi.
He is now being recognised on one of the biggest international stages in music.
The Kenyan musician has been nominated in two categories for his work on a Brazilian album that he co-produced with the acclaimed Brazilian singer Luedji Luna.
The project is in the running for both Best Brazilian Popular Music Album and Best Afro-Portuguese-Brazilian Music Album.
"These nominations underscore the album's cultural resonance and artistic quality, reflecting Luedji's distinctive voice and the collaborative effort behind its production," read a statement from the Latin Recording Academy.
This marks Kato’s second appearance at the Latin Grammys. In 2021, he shared a nomination with Luna and performed with her at the awards ceremony in Las Vegas.
The pair first collaborated during Kato’s artist residency in Brazil, when he joined Luna’s band. As a producer, he has since worked on five of her albums.
Despite this global acclaim, however, Kato remains a largely unknown figure back home in Kenya — a status he says he prefers.
“I’ve never wanted to be on the front pages or be seen as this big star chased by paparazzi and social media bloggers,” he says quietly. “I’m an introvert. I prefer to have my space to do what I do, get paid, and go on with my life as an ordinary Kenyan.” He told this writer.
Founded in 2000, the Latin Grammy Awards were established as a counterpart to the Grammys to properly celebrate the vast range of Latin music.
The Recording Academy considered Latin music to be too broad and versatile to fit into the categories of existing Grammy categories, hence the need to launch the Latin Grammys, which have grown to be as influential and prestigious as the Grammys, especially in Latin America.
This year’s ceremony will take place on November 13, 2025, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, US.
