Ukpono Nsima
Afrobeats star Davido has been welcomed as a voting member of the Recording Academy, giving him a direct say in who gets nominated and who wins at the 68th GRAMMY Awards in 2026.
The Academy acknowledged his inclusion on social media, while Nigerian outlets reported the development on September 23, 2025.
In a short message shared alongside the announcement, Davido said he’s “honoured” to participate in the GRAMMY process and highlighted how voting lets members help decide what gets considered each year. The update places him in the global community of industry professionals who shape music’s most-watched awards.
Why this matters
Davido’s entry into the voting pool caps a two-year run that has pushed Afrobeats deeper into the GRAMMY mainstream. He earned three nominations at the 66th GRAMMYs (2024), including Best Global Music Album for Timeless and Best African Music Performance for “Unavailable”, a visibility boost that has now evolved into an official role in the awards process.
The 2026 GRAMMY timeline
Key dates for the 2026 cycle are already set: First-round voting runs Oct. 3–15, 2025; nominations are announced Nov. 7, 2025; final voting runs Dec. 12, 2025–Jan. 5, 2026; and the telecast is Feb. 1, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. As a voting member, Davido will participate in those ballots.
Bigger picture for African music
His membership arrives as the Academy broadens both its roster and categories to reflect a more global, digitally driven music economy, including recent rule updates and new categories for the 2026 show.
Beyond symbolism, voting members help determine shortlists and winners across genre fields and the General Field, giving artists like Davido real influence over how African music is represented on the world stage.
Davido’s move from multi-nominee to GRAMMY voter is another milestone for Afrobeats. With ballots opening in early October and nominations due in November, his new role will be felt immediately in the 2026 awards season.
Source: BusinessElitesAfrica | Read the Full Story…
