Davido Joins GRAMMY Voting Members for 2026 Awards

Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido (David Adedeji Adeleke) has officially become a voting member of the Recording Academy ahead of the 2026 GRAMMY Awards. 

The announcement was made public via a video shared by the Recording Academy on Instagram on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
As a voting member, Davido will be part of the community responsible for vetting entries, nominating artists, and selecting eventual winners for the 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards. The ceremony is scheduled for February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

What It Takes & Why It Matters

To qualify as a voting member, individuals must be active creators in the recording industry — as performers, producers, songwriters, engineers, or instrumentalists. They are required to have credits on at least six commercially released tracks within the last five years. Davido meets those criteria. Other conditions include being in good standing, committing to pay membership dues, and staying engaged in the music sector.
Davido joins a list of artists now part of the Academy’s voting membership roster. Others recently confirmed include Ravyn Lenae, Jessie Reyez, Zac Brown, Stewart Copeland, and Miles Minnick. 

Reactions & Impacts for Afrobeats

Fans and music observers quickly reacted to the news, celebrating it as another milestone for Afrobeats on the global stage. Many viewed Davido’s new role as recognition not only of his own work but of the genre’s increasing influence in international music circles.

Davido expressed his excitement about the opportunity. He said that being part of the voting process is a “game-changer” because it gives him a say in what is considered each awards season. He added that he is honoured to join the Recording Academy and looks forward to contributing. 

The Recording Academy also reminded all new and existing voting members that ballots for the 2026 Awards will open on October 3, 2025, giving everyone enough time to listen to entries and make informed choices.