Last update:09 November 2024, 15:57 IST

Ricky Kej was nominated for his fourth Grammy for Break of Dawn in the Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album category.

Kej is already a three-time Grammy winner. (Photo credits: X)

Three-time Grammy-winning Indian music composer Ricky Kej is close to bagging his fourth Grammy. Kej has received a nomination for his latest album, Break of Dawn, which will compete in the Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album category at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. “We’ll be breaking out of our calm Vedam today, and for good reason!” wrote Vedam Records, the wellness label founded by Universal Music Group and Ricky Kej.

Besides Kej, the category also includes other nominees like Anoushka Shankar for her album Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn, Radhika Vekaria for Warriors of Light and Chandrika Tandon’s album Triveni.

Delighted with his nomination, Kej spoke to news agency ANI and expressed high hopes for a fourth Grammy. “I’ve already won three Grammys in the past, and this is my fourth, which I hope to win. I am very grateful to receive this honor for my fourth Grammy nomination,” he said.

Sharing the inspiration behind his ‘new-age’ album Break of Dawn, Ricky Kej revealed that he took inspiration from ancient Indian ragas while creating the music.

“I have been an environmentalist all my life and I believe that our ancient Indian culture teaches us about the connection between the impurities in the environment and the impurities in our mind. To solve any problem we face as a species, we must first purify our minds. Break of Dawn was created with the belief in a kinder, more compassionate and environmentally conscious society through music. It’s a new-age album, with every song based on ancient Indian ragas. I carefully crafted it to promote mental health and wellness, focusing on wellness music with roots in India,” he explained.

Reflecting on his previous achievements, Ricky Kej won his first Grammy in 2015 for Winds of Samsara in the Best New Age Album category. In 2022 and 2023, he received his second and third consecutive Grammys for Divine Tides.

The 67th annual Grammy Awards will take place on February 2, 2025.