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

Nigerian Music Icons Darey Art Alade, Sasha P, and Danny Young Earn Recording Academy Membership

The Recording Academy just made a power move that further solidifies Africa’s position in global music conversations. Three Nigerian music heavyweights—Darey Art Alade, Sasha P, and Danny Young—have been invited to join the prestigious 2026 New Member Class. This means they’ll now have voting rights and direct influence over the GRAMMY Awards process, bringing crucial African perspectives to one of music’s most important decision-making bodies.

These aren’t random selections—each of these artists represents decades of groundbreaking work in Nigerian music. Darey Art Alade, the multi-award-winning singer and Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer at Livespot360, called the honor a natural extension of his life’s work. “From making music in the studio to building platforms that celebrate African creativity, I’ve always believed music has the power to move people, shape culture, and connect the world,” he shared. For Darey, this membership offers a critical platform to champion the incredible creative output flowing from Nigeria and the broader continent on a global stage.

Danny Young, a veteran producer and songwriter who’s been instrumental in shaping Afrobeats since its early days, expressed gratitude for the recognition of his two-decade journey. “After over two decades of creating, producing, and contributing to the growth of Afrobeats, this is a meaningful milestone in my journey,” he noted. Meanwhile, Sasha P—the pioneering rap icon and CEO of Purple Entertainment who helped architect Nigerian hip-hop—reflected on how far music has taken her. “Music has taken me into rooms, onto stages, and into conversations I never imagined,” she said, acknowledging the weight of contributing to a global community dedicated to advancing creators worldwide.

This trio joining the Recording Academy’s 2026 class isn’t just individual achievement—it’s a collective win that signals Africa’s expanding seat at the table where music’s future gets shaped. As Darey put it perfectly: “Here’s to representing Nigeria, Africa, and every creative who believes their story deserves to be heard.” With voices like these now helping determine what excellence sounds like on a global scale, the African music narrative just got even louder.

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