The Recording Academy awards saw many new artists win the coveted trophy this year. However, this was not the case with Ricky Kej. The Bengaluru-based artist picked up his second Grammy Award for Divine Tides. He worked on this album in collaboration with Stewart Copeland, founder and drummer of the iconic rock band The Police. The duo bagged the Best New Age Album award at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.

Kej was born in North Carolina in 1981. He is half-Punjabi and half-Marwari. He has lived in Bengaluru since he was 8. He finished his schooling at Bishop Cotton School in Bengaluru and then studied dentistry at Oxford Dental College, Bengaluru. 

Hailing from a family of medical professionals, Kej struck a deal with his parents to let him pursue music after finishing his degree. His music career started off with him being a keyboardist with the progressive rock band Angel Dust. His musical inspirations are Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Pandit Ravi Shankar and Peter Gabriel. He was nominated for an award at Cannes for his jingle on Nike in 2010. He has created music for over 3000 jingles and even Kannada films.

Kej won his first Grammy in 2015 for his album Winds of Samsara. He took home the Best New Age Album award that time around as well. With the second win, he joins the likes of Ravi Shankar, Zubin Mehta, Zakir Hussain, AR Rahman and other Indian winners to become a multiple-time Grammy winner.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter to congratulate Ricky Kej on his win. He said, “Congratulations for this remarkable feat and best wishes for your future endeavours!” 

Ricky had shared the news saying, “Won the Grammy Award today for our album Divine Tides Filled with gratitude and love this living-legend standing with me – @copelandmusic. My 2nd Grammy and Stewart’s 6th. Thank you to everyone who ever collaborated, hired, or listened to my music. I exist because of you.”

(Featured Image Credits: Instagram @rickykej)