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Rapper and ex-BBNaija reality show star, Lekan Agbeleshe, also known as Laycon, Biodun Osikoya, aka Bizzle Osikoya, a music executive, Ikuforiji Olaitan, aka Oxlade, a singer and Foza Fawehinmi, an entertainment lawyer, have joined over 2,700 music professionals in the Academy class of 2022.
According to the Academy, the members, who were selected from a wide range of backgrounds, fall between the voting category and the non-voting category
“Congratulations to the 2,700+ music professionals from wide-ranging backgrounds, genres, and disciplines, who received a membership invitation from the Recording Academy”, the Academy wrote on Twitter.
Kelley Purcell, the vice president of the membership and industry relations of the Academy, said the new members symbolise the future of the academy.
“Our new members symbolise the future of the Academy and represent the direction we are headed in as an organisation and the music community at large. Their new ideas, recommendations and observations help us drive positive progress as we continue our evolution”, she stated.
In his reaction on Twitter, Laycon said he will be using his new position to advocate for “our music community.”
“Africa up! I am now officially a member of the Recording Academy, joining the best creators and professionals who serve, celebrate, and advocate for our music community year-round”, he wrote.
On his part, Oxlade, who was recently signed to Epic Records in France and Columbia Records in the UK, took to his Twitter page to state that it’s an honour for him to be part of the Recording Academy.
“I’m honoured to be part of the new @Recordingmember “class and join the countless creators and professionals who serve, celebrate, and advocate for our music community year-round. #IAmTheAcademy,” he wrote.
Speaking on her membership, Fawehinmi said the recognition by the Recording Academy is important for African music.
She said: “It’s an important time for African music and its stakeholders globally. The recognition by the Recording Academy to expand to include African voices is worthy of note. I am excited and honoured to be recognised by the Recording Academy after a judicious scrutiny process to lend my voice to African representation globally.”
