It’s happened. “Baba Yetu” by Christopher Tin has taken the 2011 Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s), marking the historic first time videogame music has won a Grammy. Here’s the acceptance speech.
For anyone who’s played Civilization IV, the song will be instantly recognizable. Personally, I hear “Baba Yetu” and associate it with the ensuing hours-long time loss that occurs when one plays a Civilization title.
And, because the question is inevitably going to come up: Tin’s album containing “Baba Yetu,” Calling All Dawns, didn’t release until 2009. As such, it was within the necessary time frame to be nominated for the award, and ultimately win it.
Video Game Music Finally Wins a Grammy: Civ 4’s “Baba Yetu” [Games On Net — Thanks, Kevin]
