Eddie Hatitye joins the Recording Academy’s Class of 2026

The Recording Academy is one of the world’s leading music organisations, dedicated to supporting music creators, advancing the recording arts and recognising excellence through the annual Grammy Awards. Hatitye joins the Academy as a Professional Member, alongside a global community of artists, producers, songwriters, engineers, executives and other music professionals committed to advancing the recording industry.

The invitation recognises Hatitye’s contribution to the growth of Africa’s music and creative industries over nearly two decades. Throughout his career, he has worked across music industry development, cultural policy, entrepreneurship, research, investment and international cooperation, helping to build institutions and programmes that have strengthened the continent's creative economy.

Among his most notable achievements is leading the establishment and growth of the Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF), one of Africa’s leading music development organisations. Under his leadership, the Foundation has delivered landmark initiatives including ACCES, Africa’s leading music trade event; NEFCISA, one of South Africa’s largest creative employment programmes; Gender@Work; the Sound Connects Fund; and numerous artist mobility, research, market access and capacity-building programmes that have supported thousands of music professionals across the continent.

Beyond MIAF, Hatitye has contributed to several international cultural development initiatives. In 2025, he was appointed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) as an international expert for its Creative Industries Forum in the Caribbean. He has also served as a senior consultant to the World Bank Group, contributing to the successful delivery of the CREATIFI programme in Mozambique and Senegal, supporting research, sector development and industry competitiveness.

A social entrepreneur, Hatitye is also the founder of InterArts Funding, a fast- growing agency supporting African social enterprises, non-profit organisations and creative businesses with fundraising, strategic advisory and organisational development.

Alongside his executive career, Hatitye has maintained an active presence as a record producer under the production imprint Epic Minds. His production credits include collaborations with artists such as Camidoh, Skales, S'Villa, Trigmatic and Ghanaian highlife legend Ebo Taylor, among others.

“It is an honour to join the Recording Academy,” said Hatitye. “This recognition reflects not only my own journey but also the many artists, colleagues, organisations and partners I have had the privilege of working with throughout my career. African music has become one of the world’s most influential cultural forces, and I look forward to contributing to global conversations while continuing to advocate for greater recognition and opportunities for African creators and the wider music ecosystem.”

Hatitye’s appointment comes at a time when African music continues to enjoy unprecedented global growth, with artists, producers and music businesses increasingly shaping international markets and cultural conversations. His invitation to join the Recording Academy reflects the growing influence of African music professionals within global industry institutions and the increasing importance of African perspectives in shaping the future of the recording industry.