Kenyan guitarist and producer Kato Change has been catapulted onto the international stage with two nominations at the prestigious 2025 Latin Grammy Awards.
The nominations are for his co-production work on a Brazilian album with acclaimed vocalist Luedji Luna, marking a significant milestone in a cross-continental collaboration that bridges Nairobi and Salvador, Bahia.
The album has earned a place among the elite in two competitive categories: Best Brazilian Popular Music Album and Best Afro-Portuguese-Brazilian Music Album, a recognition that celebrates the depth and collaborative spirit Change helped forge alongside Luna’s powerful vocal artistry.
This is not the first time Change has graced the Latin Grammy sphere; he previously shared a nomination and delivered a live performance with Luna at the 2021 ceremony.
Their creative partnership, which now spans five albums, began during Change’s artist residency in Brazil, where he joined her band, and has since blossomed into a formidable musical force.
The nominations highlight a growing trend of African artists making indelible marks on global music platforms, with Change’s intricate guitar work and production sensibilities adding a unique texture to the rich tapestry of Brazilian sound.
The awards ceremony, set for November 13, 2025, in Las Vegas, will see this Kenyan talent standing among the best in Latin music.
Despite his rising international profile, Kato Change remains a curiously understated figure in his home country’s mainstream music scene.
The announcement of his Latin Grammy nominations comes on the heels of a recent high-profile performance in Nairobi, where he opened for American jazz icon Kenny G. Yet, true to his character, Change has consistently shunned the spotlight. In his own words, he is an introvert who has “never wanted to be on the front pages.” He prefers the quiet dignity of his craft, stating, “I prefer to have my space to do what I do, get paid, and go on with my hun life as an ordinary Kenyan.”
This philosophy underscores a career built not on fame, but on a profound dedication to musical excellence.
A self-taught guitarist born and raised in Nairobi, Change’s journey is one of autodidactic passion and fusion.
He honed his craft by meticulously studying online tutorials and the works of legends like George Benson and Wes Montgomery, while simultaneously weaving in traditional African rhythms.
Nurtured in Nairobi’s vibrant jazz scene, he developed a distinctive sound characterized by improvisational brilliance.
His success is more than a personal triumph; it is a beacon for aspiring African musicians, proving that talent from the continent can resonate on the world’s most prestigious stages, quietly rewriting the narrative of global music collaboration one string at a time.
