Grammy Recording Academy lists Laycon, Foza Fawehinmi as members of 2022 class

Praiz, Laycon, Foza Fawehinmi, Oxlade, and Bizzle Osikoya have been listed as members of the Grammy Recording Academy class of 2022.

Laycon, who is a rapper and ex-BBNaija reality star; Praiz, the RnB singer; Osikoya, the music executive; Oxlade, the singer; and Foza, the entertainment lawyer, joined over 2,700 music professionals in the Academy class of 2022.

In a statement by 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 announced on Twitter .

Kelley Purcell, 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 organization and the music community at large. Their new ideas, recommendations and observations help us drive positive progress as we continue our evolution,” she said

In his reaction via Twitter, Laycon, whose real name is Lekan Agbeleshebioba, 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.

Like Oxlade, Praiz wrote: “I’m honoured to be part of the new @recordingacademy member class and join countless creators and professionals who serve, celebrate and advocate for our music community year-round #IAmTheAcademy.”

Speaking on her membership, Foza said the recognition by the Recording Academy is important for African music.

She said: “It’s an important time for African music and it’s stakeholders globally. The recognition by the Recording Academy to expand to include African voices is worthy of note. I am excited and honored to be recognized by the Recording Academy after a judicious scrutiny process to lend my voice to African representation globally.”