Manny Ita –
Nigerian disc jockey and music executive Nonso Amadi, popularly known as DJ Big N, has called on more Nigerian music executives to seek membership of the Recording Academy as voting members in order to influence global recognition of African music.
Speaking during a recent industry discussion, DJ Big N said increased Nigerian representation within the Grammy Awards’ voting body was critical to ensuring that African music is properly understood and evaluated on its own terms. He argued that participation from within the system would help correct misconceptions and broaden appreciation of the continent’s sound.
According to him, Nigerian executives need to “shape the narrative from the inside” by actively engaging in the processes that determine nominations and awards, rather than remaining outside and reacting to outcomes. He noted that the global success of Afrobeats had made such involvement more urgent.
DJ Big N said the Recording Academy was open to qualified professionals across different sectors of the music industry and encouraged experienced Nigerian executives to apply. He added that deeper engagement would not only benefit Nigerian artists but also strengthen Africa’s voice in global music governance.
His comments come amid ongoing debates about representation and fairness at international award platforms, as Afrobeats continues to gain prominence across major global markets.
