Sauti Sol among African artists invited to join Recording Academy’s 2023 new member class

Over 2 800 of the invitees qualify to become voting members, while more than 800 qualify to become professional members.

African members in the 2023 class include Kenyan band Sauti Sol, Nigerian producer Fliptyce, Ugandan hip hop star GNL Zamba and Cameroonian rapper Stanley Enow. They join the likes of Nigerian musicians Praiz and Laycon, A&R specialist Abiodun ‘Bizzle’ Osikoya, Boomplay Ghana general manager Elizabeth Ntiamoah-Quarshie, as well as British-Ghanaian DJ and producer Juls, all of whom have joined the academy in recent years. 

The Recording Academy, which welcomed more than 2 700 new members last year, says its 2023 invitees, representing various genres, backgrounds and regions, constitute torchbearers embodying its dedication to representing the vibrant global music community it serves.

“Our members’ active participation is instrumental to fulfilling the Recording Academy’s mission of serving music and all people who make it possible,” the Recording Academy’s vice-president of membership and industry relations, Kelley Purcell, said.

“We encourage our newly invited members to join the Academy and take part in serving, celebrating, and advocating for their fellow creators year-round and drive positive change in the name of music.”

Members of the Recording Academy actively participate in shaping the future of the music industry at both local and national levels through their involvement in chapters, submitting music for Grammy Awards consideration, and contributing to rule changes and new category proposals. They can also run for board positions, vote in elections, attend member-exclusive programmes and provide support to fellow musicians through advocacy efforts.

The deadline to accept invitations to participate in the entire process for the 2024 Grammy Awards is 14 July. From 21 to 25 August, the Recording Academy will hold its first-ever New Member Welcome Week to provide both virtual and in-person opportunities for new members to connect and become acquainted with the academy’s community.

Earlier this month, the Recording Academy announced the addition of a new category dedicated to African music ahead of the forthcoming 66th edition. The new category, called Best African Music Performance, will recognise and celebrate recordings that showcase unique local expressions from across the continent.