Darey Art Alade, Sasha P & Danny Young Join the Recording Academy’s 2026 New Member Class

The Recording Academy just made a power move that speaks volumes about African music’s global influence. Three Nigerian music heavyweights—Darey Art Alade, Sasha P, and Danny Young—have been invited to join the prestigious 2026 New Member Class, securing their seats at the table where the future of the music industry gets decided. This isn’t just about individual recognition; it’s about African voices gaining real authority in the conversations that shape the GRAMMY Awards and global music standards.

Each of these artists brings decades of industry weight to their new roles. Darey Art Alade, the award-winning singer and Co-Founder/Chief Creative Officer at Livespot360, has always operated at the intersection of artistry and cultural innovation. His invitation feels like a natural progression for someone who’s built platforms celebrating African creativity while maintaining a stellar recording career. Danny Young, a veteran producer and songwriter who helped define early Afropop, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity after more than twenty years of shaping the genre. With over two decades of contributions to Afrobeats’ growth, he’s bringing invaluable perspective to the Grammy voting process.

Then there’s Sasha P, the pioneering rap icon and Purple Entertainment CEO who literally helped architect Nigerian hip-hop as we know it. Her inclusion reinforces how the Academy is finally recognizing the executives and trailblazers who laid the foundation for today’s Afrobeats explosion. All three expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to represent Nigeria and Africa in these critical industry spaces. As Darey noted, it’s about amplifying the brilliant narratives coming from the continent and ensuring African creators get the support and celebration they deserve on the world’s biggest stages.

This 2026 class marks a significant shift in how African music professionals are represented in global music governance. With voices like these now helping to shape Recording Academy initiatives and decisions, the continent’s influence continues to expand beyond streaming numbers into the institutional power structures that determine industry standards. It’s a victory worth celebrating—not just for these three icons, but for every African creator whose story deserves to be heard at the highest levels.

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