Afrobeats superstar Davido has officially joined the ranks of global music professionals shaping the future of the GRAMMY Awards.
The Nigerian singer and songwriter has been welcomed as a voting member of the Recording Academy, the influential body behind the world’s most prestigious music awards.
The announcement was made on Tuesday via the Recording Academy’s Instagram page in a celebratory video introducing its latest members. Alongside Davido, the new list included international stars such as Offset, Ravyn Lenae, Jessie Reyez, Zac Brown Band, and several others.
The Academy’s caption highlighted the value of active member participation, stressing that creating music takes “heart, time, and dedication,” and therefore, the voices of its members remain crucial in determining what gets recognised each year.
This development comes on the heels of Davido’s remarkable feat at the 2024 GRAMMYs, where he earned three nominations for his album Timeless and the hit song Unavailable. Though he did not win, his recognition on that global stage elevated Afrobeats further into the mainstream conversation.
As a voting member, Davido will play a direct role in nominating and selecting winners for the 2026 GRAMMY Awards, a role he described as both an honour and a responsibility.
“Understanding the importance of how our voices are heard, I am participating in the GRAMMY Award process. It is a game-changer. I have learned that voting empowers you to have a say in what is considered and voted on in each season. I am honoured to be part of the Recording Academy community, and I look forward to voting,” Davido said.
His induction also reflects the Recording Academy’s ongoing reforms to diversify its membership base, opening its doors to more international acts, particularly African artists. This inclusion ensures that global music genres such as Afrobeats, Amapiano, and other African sounds gain stronger visibility in the awards process.
The Academy confirmed that the voting window for the 2026 GRAMMYs will officially open on October 3, 2025, encouraging members to review ballots carefully and make their selections early.
For Davido, this recognition is not just a personal milestone but also a symbolic moment for African music. With Afrobeats now commanding global stages, his participation in the GRAMMYs decision-making process highlights the genre’s increasing influence on world music.
