Afrobeats icon David Adeleke, widely recognized as Davido, has achieved a significant career milestone by being officially inducted as a voting member of the Recording Academy. This esteemed body is responsible for orchestrating the prestigious Grammy Awards, granting Davido, the 'Feel' crooner, a direct and influential role in the Academy’s critical nomination and final-ballot procedures for the upcoming 2026 ceremony. This induction follows a notable year for the artist, who earned three Grammy nominations in 2024.

The Recording Academy publicly confirmed Davido's new membership on Tuesday, sharing a video on Instagram that featured him alongside other newly admitted members. The official post emphasized the dedication involved in music creation, stating, “Creating a song or an album takes heart, time, and dedication. ✨ That’s why Recording Academy members including #Davido, #ravynlenae, #offsetyrn, #jessiereyez, #zacbrownband, #anneakikomeyers, #miles.minnick, #mayaelizabethmusic, #damiensneed, #damarismusica, and #stewart_copeland are sharing why your participation matters.”

Expressing his profound pride in joining this global collective of music professionals who actively shape the awards, Davido articulated the importance of this new responsibility. He stated, “Understanding the importance of how our voices are heard, I am participating in the GRAMMY Award process. It is a game-changer. I have learned that voting empowers you to have a say in what is considered and voted on in each season. I am honoured to be part of the Recording Academy community, and I look forward to voting.”

Davido's inclusion is a testament to the Recording Academy's ongoing and concerted efforts to broaden and diversify its membership. This strategic initiative aims to foster increased representation, particularly from African and other international artists, thereby enriching the global perspective within the Academy. Furthermore, the Academy announced that the voting period for the 2026 GRAMMY Awards is scheduled to commence on October 3, urging its members to review ballots, listen attentively, and cast their votes early.